The Chuckanut Reader – Spring 2026 by Village Books and Paper Dreams

new exhibitions on view

ON VIEW: FEB 6 – JUNE 28

This nationally touring exhibition features works by 17 African American artists who are reshaping the contemporary art world.

ON VIEW: FEB 6 – JAN 17, 2027

Edison, Washington-based sculptor Andrew Vallee presents Murmuration, a constellation of bronze and carved wood swallows.

ON VIEW: FEB 6 – SEPT 20

From the Vault: Hard Edge/ Soft Ground delves into the breadth of abstract works within the Whatcom Museum’s permanent collection.

FROM THE VAULT

Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press was organized by Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA.

Dear Reader,

As we put together this issue of the Chuckanut Reader, the world, the country, and our community are all in turmoil. We are also fresh from the recent event at Mount Baker Theatre with Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, where she was asked (paraphrased): What can we do to effect positive change in this world?

Among all that she offered as an answer, here are just a few simple, achievable things each of us can do. (1) Support local businesses. This votes with your dollar and keep your money in our local economy. (2) Subscribe to and read local news sources (and we have plenty!). Our local journalists serve as watchdogs in our own community as well as being the sources that national and world news draws upon. (3) Be kind. Look for small instances to do a kindness for someone. A smile, helping with something heavy, letting someone in front of you on the highway, be kind online and extend grace to your friends and family. Avery little thing can make a huge difference in someone's day and doing so makes you feel better about yourself and those around you.

We are fortunate, Dear Reader, to be in a strong community that already holds these values. Imagine how much more resilient to the storms we will be if we each did these even a little bit better.

The Chuckanut Reader Spring 2026

Publisher: Village Books and Paper Dreams

Production & Design: Kelly Carbert

Contributors: Kiana Allen, Kendra Calitri, Kelly Carbert, Caitriona Cassel, Cy Catwell, Erin Chervenock, Gaye Davis, Stephanie Dethlefs, Kelly Evert, Paul Hanson, Chloe Hovind, Sarah Hutton, Kat Kayser, Sean Kearney, Troy Luginbill, Alex Nyberg, Laura Picco, Chloe Quan, Grace Schutte, Kelly Sims, Kellen Smith, Allison Stalnaker, Courtney Velthuizen, Michael Weaver, Bailey Whyte

Cover: Spring is just around the corner—it's always a good time to freshen up with a new Village Books shirt, a tote, and new reads! VB owners photo credit: FotoMataio & Sustainable Connections

Content except art, ads, and book covers ©Village Books 2026 browse & shop anytime at villagebooks.com Village Books & Paper Dreams - Open Daily 1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225 • 360.671.2626 430 Front St., Lynden, WA 98264 • 360.526.2133

– Paul, Kelly, Sarah,

and the Entire Village Books and Paper Dreams Family

In This Issue...

THE MOTH MAINSTAGE

Village Books 2025 Top 10 Stories

Our Chuckanut Editions Publishes Mariella, of Out-west #5

Our team always has their eye on great publishing opportunities. However, we don’t always get to look to the past… all the way back to 1902! This year, with the help of WWU's Dr. Laura Laffrado, we were able to bring this local piece of classic literature back to life.

#6

Two Big New Sponsorships

We’re Proud of Pride: Village Books and Paper Dreams was delighted to be the title sponsor of Pride in Bellingham. We had a blast marching and sharing our homemade zine with the attendees.

#7

Galbraith’s Wonderland Trail Adopted: We’re lucky to have this world class mountain bike destination right in our backyard! Last year, we adopted the Wonderland Trail (appropriately) to show and demonstrate our support for this local treasure. See wmbcmtb.org/Galbraith for more info on this trail system.

Two New Book Groups Start Up Their Meet Up

The quietest book group (Silent Book Club) and the potentially loudest book group (Bellingham Symphony Orchestra Book Group) have joined our roster of open book groups. See more about them on pages 78-79.

9

Paul Joins ABA Board

After 38 years of bookselling, Paul has finally made it onto the Board of Directors for the American Booksellers Association. He’s thrilled to be able to be advocate and support for independent bookstores on the national level.

Sarah Celebrates 20 Years

Where does the time go?! Co-owner Sarah Hutton joined us as a Bookseller and Receiver in August of 2005… took on the roles of Children’s Book Buyer then Store Manager, all steps in the ladder toward eventual store ownership in 2017. Congrats!

#10

Gaye Wins a James Patterson Holiday Bonus

James Patterson once again supported independent booksellers with a revival of his Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program, pledging a total of $300,000 to be distributed to 600 booksellers across the country. We know Gaye is a star, but now so does the rest of the book industry! She very deservedly won a James Patterson Bonus this year.

Ski to Sea

May 24, 2026

Ski to Sea is the original multi-sport relay race from Mt. Baker Ski Area to Bellingham Bay, finishing at Marine Park in Fairhaven! First run in 1973, the Ski to Sea Race is a volunteer-operated community 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.

Each Ski to Sea team consists of between three to eight racers competing in seven different sports: cross country ski, downhill ski/snowboard, running, road bike, canoe (2 paddlers), cyclocross bike and sea kayak. It is the largest one-day event in Whatcom County with volunteers serving as the heart and soul of the day. Interested in helping? Go to skitosea.com to check out volunteer opportunities.

Up the hill from the Ski to Sea finish line in Marine Park, the Festival in Fairhaven Village is changing formats this year. The Fairhaven Association will not be closing streets or hosting vendors on the roadways, but rather events will be spread throughout the area. You will still be able to experience music, food, and celebration throughout the Village, it will just look different.

“Times are changing, and the Fairhaven Association is evolving with them,” said Kimberly Anderson, Executive Director. “This new approach allows us to support more businesses, create a more accessible and flexible celebration, and foster a true community experience that reflects Fairhaven today.”

Stones Throw Brewery's annual Ski2Sea Weekend Block Party and Skylark Cafe's Memorial Weekend BBQ Party will be in full swing and other vendors like our friends at the Next Chapter Cafe will head outside to share their delicious wares on the Village Green.

Mark your calendars and plan to join the Whatcom Literacy Council for their annual TRIVIA BEE on Thursday, May 7 at Aslan Depot (1322 N State, Bellingham, WA). All proceeds support the free adult literacy programs of the Whatcom Literacy Council, helping our neighbors become more self-sufficient and employable.

Giving

Books for Local Kids and Families in Need

For over two decades Village Books has partnered with local non-profits that provide services for at-risk populations through our Giving Tree and more recently, our Round It Up donation programs. Because of the generosity of our wonderful customers, we were able to provide over 1700 books to local children and families in need in 2025 alone.

We were incredibly touched and inpired as customers shared their own exeriences with the Giving Tree including: "Selecting books for the Village Books Giving Tree is one of our favorite family holiday traditions." "I used to be one of those kids on the Giving Tree, I wouldn't have been able to have a Christmas without it."

Thanks again for your generosity.

HEAR ME OUT...

Look for compelling "hear me out" staff book recommendations throughout the store. These are surprisingly good, polarizing, or niche favorites we think are worth a second look.

At Home in Paper Dreams

“Houses are really quite odd things. They have almost no universal definitive qualities: they can be of practically any shape, incorporate virtually any material, be of almost any size.” –Bill Bryson from At Home

This has already been a year of ups and downs, and many emotions for most of us. When we feel overwhelmed and need a place of solace, home is often the first place many of us look to for physical structure, support, and safety. Stories and dreams can reside in a home, and there we surround ourselves with the items that give us joy, be it a memento of a vacation, or plates that remind us of meals with loved ones, or even a favorite stuffed animal.

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” –William Morris

We can also find that peace outside of home, in a “third place” in our community. A place to escape the cold and feel the warmth emanating from heaters and the people around us; a place to share a smile or a meal with a friend—a welcoming port in the storm.

“Because here’s the thing—we aren’t looking for a house; we’re looking for a home.” –Erica Bauermeister from House Lessons

Paper Dreams’ home has structurally been in Fairhaven since April, 1891. In the beginning, it was the Mayer-Smith Grocery Company. In 1915 it became Andrew H. Dahl’s dry goods and shoe store where credit was offered to immigrants whose families were new to Bellingham and their kids in need of new boots. In 1980 Village Books opened in part of the building, and when it moved to the Knights of Pythias building in 1985, Paper Dreams moved in (Paper Dreams originally opened in 1982 in another part of town).

This old building has seen a lot and has been here for so many people—but she is beginning to show her age. Her drawers are stuck and her flooring is wearing down. So, this spring Paper Dreams is getting a much-needed pampering and make-over.

Local companies Alderwood Builders and Raedhaus Design will be giving our “work-home” a facelift this spring – at exactly 135 years young she will be getting new cabinets, flooring, and a new candy counter. Please visit and watch the progress and honor this beautiful building we call home. When the dust has lifted and the truffles are lined up in their new home, we hope you feel the same sense of history and belonging as you ever have when coming through our doors… and you may just hear the joyful glee of our employees opening a drawer with ease.

1204-1206 11th Street, Fairhaven Cash Grocery 1905 Rembrant Studios - Courtesy WhatcomMuseum Photo Archives.

Join us for the taping of this unique local radio show—an evening of LIVE ENTERTAINMENT including amazing literature, live music, fun skits, poetry, humor, and more!

Performed live and recorded for radio, each Radio Hour includes a guest author, live local music, performance poetry by Kevin Murphy, and an episode of "As the Ham Turns" serial radio comedy perfomed by the Chuckanut Radio Players. Hosts Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert are joined by announcer Rich Donnelly for an evening of entertainment. Doors open and music starts at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm. Tickets available now. Seating is limited so don't delay—we'll see you there!

Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 pm

at the Hotel Leo, Bellingham, WA

Live Literature Local Music & A Little Humor KIM FU

in conversation with JANE WONG

–The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts

Join us for a special evening of entertainment and stories as we as we welcome author Kim Fu to the March Chuckanut Radio Hour.

Kim Fu will introduce the audience to their latest, The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts —an eerie, spellbinding novel of grief and guilt, with a razor-sharp eye for the absurdity and melancholy of the internet age. Fu is also the author of the story collection Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century, winner of the Washington State Book Award.

“Kim Fu is one of the most interesting, inventive, and masterly writers working in the Northwest today . . . ” —Michael N. MacGregor, WritingTheNorthwest.com

Fu will be in conversation with local favorite, Jane Wong —the author of the memoir Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City. Tickets available now—don't miss out!

Thanks to our regular sponsors

New Fiction

The Subtle Art of Folding Space

by John Chu

available in April, hardcover, Tor Books Ellie’s universe, and this one, is falling apart. Her ailing mother is in a coma; her sister, Chris, accuses her of being insufficiently Chinese between assassination attempts; and a shadowy cabal of engineers is trying to hijack the skunkworks, the machinery that keeps the physics of each universe working the way it’s supposed to. It's not a good day.

Lady Tremaine

by Rachel Hochhauser available in March, hardcover, St. Martin's Press

"Feminist, fierce, and wildly fresh: Lady Tremaine is my kind of fairy tale. As we resurrect and re-examine the historical women we've maligned, Hochhauser insists we include the wicked stepmothers. Hochhauser's prose is poetic, her story hypnotic, and her characters will live in my head and heart forever. Lady Tremaine is destined to be one of the biggest books of the year." –Glennon Doyle

Honeysuckle

by Bar Fridman-Tell available in March, hardcover, Bloomsbury Publishing Once upon a time, on the edge between meadow and forest, there was a lonely child with only his older sister for company. In exchange for being left in peace, his sister made him a playmate woven from flowers and words. And for the first time, this boy, Rory, had a friend. Honeysuckle is a reimagining of the story of Blodeuwedd from Welsh mythology; a feminist Frankenstein with flowers; a deliciously dark, twisted, horror-tinged fairytale with rot at its heart.

Frida's Cook

by Florencia Etcheves, translated by Beth Fowler available in March, hardcover, Atria 1939: Nayeli Cruz flees from her Oaxaca home to arrive in Mexico City with neither friends nor prospects. She finds herself in front of La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. As she begins work as the artist’s cook, Nayeli is pulled into Frida’s world of pain, passion, and defiance. It isn’t long before amid the vibrant tapestry of flavors, scents, and colors, the two women form a deep bond. Present Day: Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, stumbles upon a mysterious painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. As Paloma delves into her grandmother’s past, she uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience.

BOOK GROUPS

Village Books hosts and co-sponsors a number of great local book groups—open to all! See page 79 for details.

The Neverending Book

by Naoki Matayoshi and Shinsuke Yoshitake, translated by Kendall Heitzman available in April, hardcover, W.W. Norton

An aged, near-blind, book-loving king sends two of his subjects out into the world to learn about unusual and magical books. One year later, they return to tell the whimsical, tender, and touching stories they’ve learned. From the comically irreverent to the heartrending to the heartwarming, The Neverending Book delves into all that a book can be, forming an enchanting compendium that reveals the ways in which we interact with books and the importance they hold in our hearts.

Son of Nobody

Yann Martel

available in March, hardcover, W.W. Norton

New Fiction

From the author of the international bestseller Life of Pi, a brilliant retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of two commoners: an ancient soldier and a modern scholar. As sole translator and interpreter of The Psoad (an Ancient Greek epic in free verse that follows a goatherd’s son who leaves his family to fight with the Greeks at Troy), Harlow dedicates the poem and its footnotes to his daughter, Helen. Under his gaze, a personal message to his beloved child appears in the ancient text, like a palimpsest. Despite the thousands of years and hundreds of miles that separate Psoas and Harlow, a thread hasn’t frayed: the universal song of homesickness and regret, of love, ambition, and grief.

GRAPHIC NOVEL

The Lost Daughter of Sparta by Felicia Day, illustrated by Rowan MacColl available in March, hardcover, Gallery

Three sisters, infamously cursed by Aphrodite to betray their husbands, are known the world over. But few know about the fourth sister: Philonoe. Lost to historical record, all we know from ancient texts is that she avoided the curse placed on her family. But why? Now, Felicia Day is determined to bring Philonoe to vivid life. Her story is a traditional hero’s journey with a feminist twist. Born as a Spartan princess with a wine-stain birthmark on her face, Philonoe is destined for a different fate than her sisters. Her remarkable but overlooked life is finally revealed in this clever and engaging graphic novel.

Bumblebee Season

Eileen Garvin

available in April, hardcover, Dutton

From Eileen Garvin, nationally bestselling author of The Music of Bees and Crow Talk , comes a heartwarming new story that returns to the vibrant world of beekeeping in a small Oregon town. This is the tale of a young migrant worker, a beekeeper, and a scientist who unite to protect Mount Hood's bees and wilderness from a commercial development. Full of warmth, big-hearted characters, and a celebration of nature in all its complexity, Bumblebee Season reminds us that human connection might just be the most powerful force there is.

Almost Life

by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

available in March, hardcover, Simon and Schuster

Erica and Laure meet on the steps of the Sacré-Coeur in Paris, 1978. Erica is a student, relishing her first summer abroad. Laure is studying for her PhD at the Sorbonne, drinking and smoking far too much, and sleeping with a married woman. The moment the two women meet, the spark is undeniable, but their encounter turns into far more than a summer of love. It is the beginning of a relationship that will define their lives and every decision they have yet to make. But when life brings them within touching distance again, will they be brave enough to seize a future together?

Under Water

by Tara Menon

available in March, hardcover, Riverhead Books

"Tara Menon beautifully evokes the intensity of a young woman's lost friendship, and the extraordinary natural world—on land and in the ocean—in which that friendship was forged. Under Water, in equal measure compelling and heart wrenching, is a remarkable debut." –Claire Messud, author of This Strange Eventful History and The Emperor's Children.

Homebound

by Portia Elan

available in May, hardcover, Scribner

The vibes of Sequoia Nagamatsu combine with a dash of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow to create this story that slips through time, water, memory, science, language, and heart. I read it months ago and am still thinking about it. –Sarah

Evil Genius

by Claire Oshetsky available now, hardcover, Ecco

at Village Books in Fairhaven Friday, April 24, 6pm EILEEN GARVIN Meet the Author!

It’s 1974 and San Francisco is full of mystery and menace. Nineteen-year-old Celia Dent keeps telling herself how lucky she is to be working at the phone company and to be married to her Drew, a man who says he loves her. Celia’s contentment with her little life is shattered, though, when a woman she knows from work is murdered in a love tryst gone awry. What would that be like, Celia wonders, to die for love, or to kill for love? It’s all pretend, though, until the night comes when Celia finally goes too far, and she and Drew are set on a deadly collision course.

New Fiction

American Han

by Lisa Lee

available in March, hardcover, Algonquin

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s, Jane Kim and her brother, Kevin, dutifully embodied the model minority myth. Now, Jane has stopped going to her law school classes, and Kevin, a policeman, has become increasingly distant. Their parents don’t want to see the family unraveling. When Kevin goes missing, no one recognizes his absence as the warning sign it is until it erupts, forcing them all to come to terms with their past and present selves in a country that isn’t all it promised it would be.

Like This, But Funnier

by Hallie Cantor

available in April, hardcover, Simon and Schuster

TV writer Caroline is 34 and mired in professional envy and self-hatred. Even Harry, her usually supportive therapist husband, thinks it’s time for her to press pause on her career. When Caroline accidentally stumbles on Harry’s patient session notes and offhandedly mentions what she finds in a meeting with a producer, the momentum of Hollywood takes over. Caroline finds herself pitching a TV show about the deepest, darkest secrets of her husband’s favorite patient, a woman known to Caroline only as the Teacher. And when Caroline forms a real-life relationship with Teacher herself, the lines between art and life begin to blur further, shaking up Caroline’s understanding of what it means to be the “likeable female protagonist.”

Sisters

The Secret of Snow

by Tina Harnesk

translated by Alice Menzies, available now, hardcover, Atria

Meet Máriddja: eccentric, 85 years old, and facing a cancer diagnosis. She’s determined to keep the truth about her illness from her husband while also finding someone who can take care of him once she’s gone. Meet Kaj: a new transplant to the village, recently engaged to Mimmi. One day, when Kaj unexpectedly finds a box of Sámi handicrafts belonging to his mother, he unlocks something he never anticipated, something that will change his life for years to come.

Clutch

by Emily Nemens

available now, hardcover, Tin House

The cover of this book alone sold me. A simple image of a woman laying on the floor speaks to me on a deep level. What followed was five women whose friendship has seen them through decades of career climbing, less than stellar husbands, heartbreak and loss. Fans of Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City will enjoy this (at times cautionary) tale of how having your people will save you in more ways than one. –Kiana

The Dead Ringer

by Dane Bahr available in April, hardcover, Counterpoint

in Yellow by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Laurel Taylor and Hitomi Yoshio available in March, hardcover, Knopf Kawakami's newest effort is a simple coming of age story, a complicated family drama, and a compelling crime novel, all swirled together. Set in 1990s Japan, we follow Hana through a tough and troubling youth. On one hand, we read about a strong character pulling herself up by her bootstraps, and on the other, we read the tragedy of bad circumstance and questionable decisions. The setting gave me a fresh view of Tokyo's underbelly, rendering it both educational and gripping. –Erin

For readers of Charles Portis, Elmore Leonard, and Annie Proulx, The Dead Ringer explores the slippery justification of questionable deeds done for honorable ends, a bold and haunting novel featuring a man brought back from the dead to exact revenge, only to discover that the world is capable of good no matter how tragic the end may be. Watch for an author visit this spring - it's in the works!

No Way Home

by T.C. Boyle

available in April, hardcover, Liveright

Two 20-somethings meet by chance in a hospital. What follows becomes the heart of No Way Home, a propulsive narrative with cinematic overtones in the tradition of David Lynch and the cold hard lyricism of Cormac McCarthy. Stylistically shimmering and unraveling under a harsh desert sky crenellated by the peaks of the Nevada mountains, T. C. Boyle’s narrative explores what it is, on an animal level, to fight over a woman and what retribution really looks like. Can sexual jealousy breed a thirst for vengeance that becomes desperately pathological?

New Fiction

Afternoon Hours of a Hermit

by Patrick Cottrell

available in April, hardcover, Ecco

If you know me, absurdist is my jam. This book does not disappoint. An adopted Korean trans person is determined to find the real cause of their brother's death. At times funny, at times achingly sad, I had to keep reading to see what Dan discovered. Cottrell includes many jabs about the world of secondary education, writing, and how we define identity. I could not stop reading this one, and hope you love it as much as I do. –Erin

Hot Chocolate on Thursday

by Michiko Aoyama, transated by E. Madison Shimoda available now, hardcover, Hanover Square Press

Taking a walk along the river, cooking the best tamagoyaki, ordering hot chocolate, forgetting to remove our nail polish... The small, everyday acts that we do can lead to unexpected encounters and reverberate far beyond your own circle and ultimately make a difference in the world. Hot Chocolate on Thursday is a tapestry of slice-of-life moments that each open and close with a woman ordering her regular hot chocolate at the mysterious Marble Cafe. What happens in between will touch and swell your heart, as we connect with a community of untold unfolding lives.

Black Bag

by Luke Kennard

available in March, hardcover, Zando

What happens when a not-quite-starving actor is hired by a psychology professor to attend his classes anonymously, zipped into a body-sized black bag? The line between his identity and strange vocation starts to blur. His daily existence takes some strange twists and turns. His already active imagination is ignited. Black Bag slyly and playfully explores themes of male insecurity, love, loneliness, and the relationship between art and commerce. As a fan of authors like Dave Eggers and Ben Lerner, I loved it! –Michael

A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage

by M.K. Oliver

available now, hardcover, Atria

Lalla has a lot on her plate: She needs to guarantee her husband makes partner, secure her dream house in Hampstead, and get her daughter into a prestigious prep school. And on the afternoon she stabs a stranger seven times after he breaks into her living room, she has a four-year-old’s birthday party to host. Funny, calculating, hypercompetent, and ambitious, Lalla is your next favorite antiheroine. Just don’t mention it to her mother-in-law.

John of John

by Douglas Stuart

available in May, hardcover, Grove/Atlantic

Douglas Stuart is such a talent! The Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain, Stuart is known for powerfully depicting ordinary people coping with human emotions and challenges. Beautifully written with heart and humor, his newest novel, John of John, is the story of a father and son dealing with the heartbreaking yet at times resplendent relationship of family, queer love, and community. You are so lucky to have this as your next new read! –Kelly E.

What a masterful writer that hits all the right (and write) notes: compelling story that is expertly woven; tragi-comic characters that you love, loathe, and laugh with; a setting that feels lived in and you’re a part of; and lovely, lyrical writing that begs to be underlined, shared, and re-read. Add to that an ending that’s both fully satisfying yet irresolute. He’s indeed a genius –Paul

Go Gentle

by Maria Semple available in April, hardcover, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Romantic, hilarious, intelligent, and bursting with the stuff of life, Go Gentle is a thrilling story of one woman’s mid-life transformation. The New York Times bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette returns to form in her most exuberant and life-affirming novel yet with the story of one woman’s cheerful determination to live a life of the mind only to have the heart force its way in.

New Fiction

The Beheading Game

Rebecca Lehmann

available in March, hardcover, Crown Publishing Group

An alternative history where Anne Boleyn wakes up with her head at her knees and proceeds to sew it back on?? Yes please!! This novel was such a fun way to learn more about the remarkable woman that was Anne Boleyn and is such a satisfying revenge story, but also the story of a loving mother. Impeccable writing and such a clever idea, this has become a favorite of mine. –Caitriona

Dear Monica Lewinsky

by Julia Langbein

available in April, hardcover, Doubleday

Told in flashbacks of sunlit six weeks in France, replete with Saint Monica’s flinty, fiery insights and interspersed with retellings of the lives of real historical martyrs, Dear Monica Lewinsky is a tender, hilarious, and wholly original examination of desire and its costs, of appetite and its denial, and of certain defeat and surprise renewal. It asks what grace and forgiveness might look like both in our own individual lives and as a society.

Now I Surrender

by Álvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer available in March, hardcover, Riverhead Books

Part epic, part alt-Western, Now I Surrender is Álvaro Enrigue’s most expansive and impassioned novel yet. It weaves past and present, myth and history, into a searing elegy for a way of life that was an incarnation of true liberty—and an homage to the spark in us that still thrills to its memory.

Python's Kiss: Stories

by Louise Erdrich available in March, hardcover, Harper

Louise Erdrich has done it yet again with this fantastic collection of beautiful and strange short stories. Each one is so unique and individual, yet they fit together well, creating a wonderful kaleidoscope of what it means to be connected to each other. This is one of those great books that has a little something for everyone. –Kiana

Good People

by Patmeena Sabit

available now, hardcover, Crown

Like a literary game of ping-pong, Good People compels the reader to reconsider what might have happened even on the previous page. Told through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, it is a riveting, provocative, and haunting story of family—sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and the communities that claim us as family in difficult times.

Upward Bound

by Woody Brown

available in March, hardcover, Hogarth

Woody Brown has created an indelible, authentic, and profoundly moving group portrait of the attendees of an adult daycare center, all illuminated by his empathy, sly sense of humor, and enormous gifts as a novelist. With remarkable sophistication, insight, and creativity, Brown depicts a community toooften invisible in literature and society.

Eradication:

by Jonathan Miles

A Fable

available now, hardcover, Doubleday Books

When a man takes a job to "save the world" he ends up in a situation he didn't expect— alone on an island tasked with eradicating the invasive goats. But as he contemplates the task before him, bigger questions are raised about the role humans play in the world and how to weigh one life against another. With humor and heart, this fable manages to be both beautiful and devastating. –Caitriona

Vigil

by George Saunders

available now, hardcover, Random House

With the wisdom, playfulness, and explosive imagination we’ve come to expect, George Saunders takes on the gravest issues of our time—the menace of corporate greed, the toll of capitalism, the environmental perils of progress—and, in the process, spins a tale that encompasses life and death, good and evil, and the thorny question of absolution.

Fantasy & Science Fiction

After The Fall

by Edward Ashton

available now, hardcover, St. Martin's Press

This book is part alien invasion story, part buddy comedy, and part workplace satire. Humans must be silent. Humans must be obedient. Humans must be good. All his life, John has tried to live by those rules. Most days, it’s not too difficult. It’s 120 years after The Fall, John has found himself bonded to Martok, one of the "good" grays. Sure, Martok is broke, homeless, and borderline manic, but he’s always treated John like an actual person, and sometimes like a friend. It’s a better deal than most humans get.

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Conversations on the Project of Science Fiction and Fantasy

by Jo Walton & Ada Palmer

available in March, hardcover, Tor Books

Walton and Palmer are two of the most innovative and insightful writers to emerge in the sci-fi and fantasy genres in this century. As writers, they’ve each won multiple awards. As commenters on sci-fi and fantasy in print and in visual media, they’ve both sparked new conversations that expanded our imaginations and understanding of how sci-fi and fantasy work, and what more it could be doing.

We Burned So Bright

by TJ Klune

available in April, hardcover, Tor Books

Husbands Don and Rodney have lived a good long life. Together they’ve experienced the highest highs of love and family, and lows so low that they felt like the end of the world. Now, the world is ending for real. A wandering black hole is coming for Earth and in a month everything and everyone they’ve ever known will be gone. Suddenly, after 40 years together, Don and Rodney are out of time. They’re in a race against the clock to make it from Maine to Washington State to take care of some unfinished business before it’s all over.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

by Ilona Andrews

available in March, hardcover, Tor

Books

When Maggie wakes up naked in a gutter, it doesn't take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows from the pages of the unfinished dark fantasy series she's been obsessively reading and re-reading. Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, setting, and characters. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed, the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she's coming to love.

The Red

Winter

by Cameron Sullivan

available now, deluxe hardcover, Tor

Fantasy & Science Fiction

Books

This historical fantasy had no business being THIS funny and charming. The fantastic and long-lived monster hunter Sebastian and his spirit companion recount their conflict with the beast of Gévaudan; a man-eating monster that terrorizes the French alps. Grimly witty and impossible to put down, I was both laughing out loud and utterly gripped by this book!! –Chloe Q.

Strange Animals

by Jarod K. Anderson

available now, hardcover, Ballantine Books

“I absolutely adore this book. Reading it is like curling up under a blanket with a mug of hot cocoa beside a campfire in the middle of a dark forest and listening to a master storyteller weave tales of cryptids and extradimensional gods. A delight from start to finish.”

—Lucy A. Snyder, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of Sister, Maiden, Monster

The Geomagician

by Jennifer Mandula

available in March, hardcover, Del

Rey

This charming story had me invested right from the start. At the time I wanted a lighter book that would make me feel only good feels, but still feel invigorating to the brain and this was the perfect fit! Mary Anning is a truly loveable character whose tenacity and determination transcends time. –Kiana

Seasons of Glass and Iron:

Stories

Amal El-Mohtar

available in March, paperback,

Tordotcom

If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light

by Kim Choyeop, translated by Anton Hur available in April, hardcover, Saga

Full of glimpses into gleaming worlds and fairy tales with teeth, immerse yourself in this enchanting short story collection by the award-winning co-author of This is How You Lose the Time War. With confidence and style, El-Mohtar guides us through exquisitely told and sharply observed tales about life as it is, was, and could be. Like miscellany from other worlds, these stories are told in letters, diary entries, reference materials, folktales, and lyrical prose.

From Korean science fiction author Kim Choyeop, a stunning and poignant collection of literary speculative fiction stories that explore the complexities of identity, love, death, and the search for life’s meaning, perfect for fans of Exhalation and The Paper Menagerie. Traversing the bounds of imagination with an ethereal incisiveness, Kim Choyeop’s stories dismantle the borders between normal and abnormal, material and abstract, earthly and otherworldly.

Innamorata by Ava Reid

available in March, hardcover, Del Rey

This may be Ava Reid's darkest book to date, and I loved it. This book is best described as romantasy dressed in dark gothic robes and surrounded by a cloud of fluttering moths, love and darkness and beautiful gothic-inspired world-building at every turn. But this isn't just a dark romance, it's also a tale of growing and evolving to be stronger than family trauma, and finding your voice. And it's also about necromancy. And maybe a dash of cannibalism. –Caitriona

Pre-order Your Copy Today!

& exclusive

supplies last!

A Forest, Darkly

by A.G. Slatter

available now, paperback, Titan Books

I loved these characters, this forest, this world, and this tale! With clear nods to the Brothers Grimm, Slatter gives us a relatable and thoughtful witch, encumbered with the safety of the nearby village. When children begin to disappear, and some to reappear... changed... she must do what she can to pursue the true evil, while facing the bias that comes with being different. –Erin

The stunning conclusion to Sarah Hawley's darkly enchanting Shards of Magic series is coming in December. Pre-order from Village Books to receive a signed copy

artwork— while

The Baby Dragon Bookshop

by A.T. Qureshi

available now, paperback, Avon Books

This sweet and cozy world has once again captured my heart. In the third book of her Baby Dragon series, A.T. Qureshi writes yet another heartwarming romance. We follow Luke and Emmy, estranged business rivals fighting for their companies while also fighting their temptations for each other. Between their tension, familiar characters from books past, and the adorable baby dragons, this warm romantasy is everything you will need! –Alex

Two Can Play

by Ali Hazelwood

available now, paperback, Berkley Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, aka her archnemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her—and Viola has no idea why. Two Can Play is an enemies-to-lovers spicy novella set in the world of video gaming from the New York Times bestselling author of Problematic Summer Romance.

The Night We Met

by Abby Jimenez available in March, hardcover, Forever Books

Princeweaver

by Elian J. Morgan

available in April, hardcover, Canelo Romance

Born with forbidden magic in an occupied land, apothecary Meilyr survives by keeping his head down. Until he ends up engaged to invading prince Osian in order to save his brother's life. When nobles in Osian's court are murdered by the same magic that flows through his veins, Meilyr realises someone is seeking revenge for his homeland. As suspicion towards him grows, he and the prince work together to uncover the killer.

Just Friends

by Haley Pham

available in March, paperback, Atria Books

A wonderful debut by Haley Pham, this book centers on a second chance romance between two high school sweethearts. But more than that, this book deeply dives into the impacts of grief, and how one change can alter your life. Pham writes with clear passion, and I'd highly recommend this to any romance readers who enjoy the messy and unavoidable aspects of adult relationships. –Alex

❤In everyone's life, there's a split-second decision that can change everything. For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she'd met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread. But Chris isn't the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago—Chris is her boyfriend's best friend. Send Books • Send Gifts • Send

Smiles

These thoughtful packages are the perfect surprise for any occasion—Mother's Day, Easter, birthdays, or just an I'm thinking about you to anyone who may need a little lift. Go

and choose a theme then answer a few questions about the recipients preferences and reading habits. All Ages! Our personal shoppers will take care of all the rest.

White Moss by Anna Nerkagi, translated by Irina Sadovina available in April, paperback, Pushkin Press

Paperback Fiction

Providing rare, direct insight into the beauties and struggles of the Indigenous reindeerherding Nenets community of the Russian north, White Moss tells a piercingly moving coming-of-age story of the conflict between individual dreams and collective life. Perfect for readers of Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko, the work of Louise Erdrich, and other emotionally powerful, lyrical narratives of global Indigenous communities.

The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts

by Kim Fu

available in March, paperback, Tin House

“I was utterly enthralled by Kim Fu's The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts, a brilliantly written tale of grief, loneliness, and the horrors of real estate. Images from this novel will probably haunt me forever. A bold and searing work by a writer working at the top of their game.”—Kate Folk, author of Sky Daddy.

Tuesday, March 31, 6:30pm at The Hotel Leo Crystal Ballroom THE CHUCKANUT RADIO HOUR featuring KIM FU in conversation with Jane Wong

City of Night Birds

by Juhea Kim available in March, paperback, Ecco

A once-famous ballerina faces a final choice, to return to the world of Russian dance that nearly broke her, or to walk away forever, in this incandescent novel of redemption and love. Painting a vivid portrait of the Russian ballet world, where cutthroat ambition, evershifting politics, and sublime artistry collide, City of Night Birds unveils the making of a dancer with both profound intimacy and breathtaking scope. Kim’s second novel is an affecting meditation on love, forgiveness, and the making of an artist in a turbulent world.

Building Community One Book at a Time

Heap Earth Upon It

by Chloe Michelle Howarth available now, paperback, Melville House "Airless and gripping, Heap Earth Upon It perfectly captures what it's like to live under the weight of secrets. The family's yearning for a simpler future is expertly balanced with the darkness of their past. A devastating mix of hope and heartbreak, from one of Ireland's most exciting queer voices." –Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin, author of Ordinary Saints.

The Silent Period

by Francesca Manfredi, translated by Ekin Oklap available now, paperback, W.W. Norton

To say too much about this novel would be ridiculous considering it’s about a young woman who voluntarily stops speaking. This story is more philosophical than any other descriptor but that doesn’t quite convey the beauty and horror, the awe and confusion inherent in her struggle. –Sarah

Hooked : A Novel of

Obsession

by Asako Yuzuki, translated by Polly Barton available in March, paperback, Ecco From the author of the international bestseller Butter comes a chilling and perceptive novel about obsession, female friendship, and the slow unraveling of two lives. Deftly translated by Polly Barton, Hooked is a taut, provocative novel about modern womanhood, the hunger for connection, and the quiet, ordinary ways our lives can spiral out of control. With razor-sharp insight and disarming empathy, Asako Yuzuki explores how far we’ll go to be seen and what happens when the ones who see us don’t like what they find.

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop

by Takuya Asakura, translated by Yuka Maeno available now, paperback, HarperCollins

A cafe-bookshop, complete with its young owner and her cat, magically encounters those in need of finding memories that were once lost. Four stories written across four seasons, this beautifully written book is a warm hug for anyone that's lost someone dear, that will leave you feeling hopeful and a little more healed than before (though, maybe have some tissues handy!).

WHAT WHATCOM

WAS READING -2025-

Village Books in Fairhaven Top Sellers

1. Solito by Javier Zamora

2. On the Hippie Trail by Rick Steves

3. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

4. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

5. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

6. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

7. James by Percival Everett

8. No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

9. Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley

10. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

21. The Wager by David Grann

22. My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Our top selling titles of 2025 are a reflection of both local interests and national bestsellers. The 2026 WhatcomREADS selection topped the list as #1. You showed up in droves as we welcomed author Rick Steves to Bellingham—taking his memoir to our #2 spot while multiple other visiting authors and perennial local favorites are interspersed with national bestsellers.

Whether you're looking for your next read or just interested in seeing what's keeping your neighbors up at night, this is the list for you! Thanks for buying local!

23. Urban Trails Bellingham by Craig Romano

24. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

25. 1984 by George Orwell

26. Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

27. Always Remember by Charlie Mackesy

28. Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

29. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

30. The Menopause Moment by Kelly Casperson

11. Pacific Harvest by Jennifer Hahn

12. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

13. Hiking Whatcom County by Ken Wilcox

14. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

15. Martyr by Kaveh Akbar

16. As You Wish by Cary Elwes

17. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

18. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

19. The Colophon Café Best Cookbook by David Killian

20. I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

Mystery, Horror, and Suspense

Japanese Gothic

by Kylie Lee Baker available in April, hardcover, Hanover Square Press

Kylie Lee Baker's Japanese Gothic follows the lives of Lee and Sen, intersecting supernaturally across hundreds of years, as they try to make sense of several brutal, mysterious deaths. Iterating on a horror tradition that is both deeply bodily and fundamentally relational, Lee Baker builds a perfect dance between the complex discomfort of interpersonal hurt and the raw disgust of blood and guts. –Bailey

The Final Problem

Arturo Pérez-Reverte translated by Frances Riddle available now, hardcover, Mulholland Books

In this locked-room mystery set in 1960, a washed-up actor puts his on-camera detective skills to the test when a suspicious death shatters the quiet peace for a group of strangers staying at an isolated Greek island resort. The Final Problem delights in exploring the tension between an investigator and his suspects, as well as a writer and his reader.

Five

by Ilona Bannister available in May, hardcover, Crown Publishing Group

Five people on a train platform, five minutes until the train comes, and someone is about to die. What?! I devoured this fast-paced thriller in one sitting, but I was also deeply moved by the complex stories of the people involved. In a situation like this, what would you do? And why? I highly recommend this wild ride of a story. –Stephanie

The Found Object Society

Michelle Maryk

available in March, paperback, Disney Publishing Group

An atmospheric speculative suspense novel following a mysterious society offering its members the chance to relive the death of another person—and the self-destructive woman determined to uncover its secrets.

at Village Books in Fairhaven Saturday, March 28, 6pm

MICHELLE MARYK in conversation with Matthew Sullivan Meet the Author!

The Keeper

by Tana French

available in March, hardcover, Viking

From the iconic crime writer who “inspires cultic devotion in readers” (The New Yorker) and has been called “incandescent” by Stephen King, “absolutely mesmerizing” by Gillian Flynn, and “unputdownable” (People), comes the third and final book in the million-copy-bestselling Cal Hooper trilogy. “Like a poet. She writes beautifully. . . . If you haven’t read her yet, I really highly recommend that you do.” —Harlan Coben

The Ending Writes Itself

by Evelyn Clarke

available in April, hardcover, Harper

This wonderful locked-room style mystery has the perfect balance of traditional mystery elements and surprising, one might even say novel, twists! In addition to being a wonderfully done mystery, this is also a clever and honest critique of the publishing industry which will feel relevant to writers and readers alike. I raced through this book, which, under the pseudonym Evelyn Clarke, was co-written by V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke! –Catriona

My Grandfather,

The Master Detective by Masateru Konishi

translated by Louise Heal Kawai available in March, hardcover, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Steeped in references to classic crime from Christie to Chesterton to Poe, My Grandfather, the Master Detective plays with the genre, capturing readers' imagination in this Tokyoset escapist mystery. Its charming characters and affectionate focus on relationships echo heartwarming Japanese titles such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

Murder

at Cinnamon

by R.L. Killmore

available in April, paperback, Avon Books

Falls

Nia returns to her cozy hometown of Cinnamon Falls after a disastrous breakup in the big city. Just as she's settling in, a murder and a cryptic note is discovered at the local diner. Still reeling from the suspicious death of her best friend years prior, Nia commits herself to the case. Now she has to pair up with her high school ex and the quirky locals to solve the case, and all before the annual Fall Festival? Yikes. I adored this cozy romance mystery!! –Chloe Q.

VB WRITES...

WRITING GROUPS

Are you a writer in search of a writing group?

Come meet other writers who can help you get organized, give feedback, and help you with your writing goals. These groups are free and open to newcomers and drop-ins. With the exception of the Lynden group, these groups meet at Village Books in Fairhaven in either the Writers Corner or Readings Gallery.

NOTE: Individual group schedules may change — check villagebooks.com for updates.

QUEER POETS SOCIETY

Meets 3rd Sundays from 10:30am-Noon at Village Books in Fairhaven - in the Readings Gallery

FICTION I

Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 6-8pm in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine

FICTION II

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine

WRITING FROM PROMPTS

Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 10:30am-noon in the Readings Gallery

SPECULATIVE FICTION I

Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6pm-8pm in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine

SPECULATIVE FICTION II

Read full descriptions and expectations for each group at villagebooks.com. Please note that scheduling changes do occur. Watch the events calendar at villagebooks.com for updates.

MORNING POETRY GROUP

Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 10:30am-noon in the Readings Gallery

EVENING POETRY GROUP

Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 5:30pm-7pm in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine

NONFICTION & MEMOIR

2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 9:30am-11am in the Readings Gallery

Meets 2nd & 4th Sundays, 3:30pm-5:30pm in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine

LYNDEN WRITING GROUP

Meets 2nd Wednesdays, 7-9pm in the Waples Room of the Inn at Lynden - adjacent to Village Books & Paper Dreams, Lynden. Read more on page 36.

SIT DOWN AND WRITE

Every Friday 9:15am-11:00am Meets in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine A place to work in quiet, but in tacit silent support, with other writers.

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK CRITIQUE GROUP

Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm in the Writers Corner on the mezzanine

Sign up for our Just Write! eNewsletter, a monthly publication highlighting current classes, tips and tricks, writing book reviews and the like! Questions? Contact writing@villagebooks.com

Chuckanut Writers

Classes for Your Writing Life

Village Books and WCC Community & Continuing Education offer a writing instruction collaboration called Chuckanut Writers. These programs are designed to inspire and encourage writers at all stages of their writing journey. Check out these upcoming classes and see whatcomcommunityed.com for details, prices, and registration:

Research in Writing:

The Research Crab with Grace Schutte

Friday, April 10, 10am-noon, Village Books in Fairhaven (1 session) $39

Find Your Voice: A Fiction Deep Dive with Alle C. Hall

Saturday, April 11, 2026 9am-1pm WCC Foundation Bldg. (1 session) $79

What's Your Genre?

with Gail Noble-Sanderson

Saturday, April 18, 10am-noon Village Books in Fairhaven (1 session) $39

Let's Get Writing! with Stephanie Dethlefs

Mondays, April 20-May 11, 6pm-7:30pm WCC Foundation Bldg. (4 sessions) $119

Self-Publishing Success! with Jill Flores

Tuesdays, April 21-28, 6pm-8pm WCC Foundation Bldg. (2 sessions) $79

Performing Your Writing with Grace Schutte

Friday, April 24, 10am-noon Village Books in Fairhaven (1 session) $39

Pre-and Post Publication Series with David Beaumier

Village Books in Fairhaven ($125 or $25 ea)

Choosing Your Publishing Path

Thursday, May 21, 6pm-7pm (1 session)

Building an Author Platform

Tuesday, May 26, 6pm-7pm (1 session)

The Wisdom of the Garden with Barbara Bloom

Wednesdays, April 29-June 3, 10am-noon

WCC Foundation Bldg. (6 sessions) $249

How to Read a Film: Visual Literacy for Writers with Lisa Spicer

Thursdays, April 30-May 7, 6pm-8pm WCC Foundation Bldg. (2 sessions) $79

Beyond Setting: Writing Literature of Place with A. Muia

Saturday, May 2, 10am-11:30am

WCC Foundation Bldg. (1 session) $35

Embodied Nature Writing with Jessica Gigot

Saturday May 16, 10am-noon Village Books in Fairhaven (1 session) $39

The Poetry of Work: Using Our Jobs as Source Material with Patrick Dixon

Sunday, May 17, 2pm-3:30pm

Village Books in Fairhaven (1 session) $35

Don't Miss Out!

Pre-Publication Marketing

Thursday, May 28, 6pm-7pm (1 session)

Professional Polish—Design, Pricing, and Presentation

Monday, June 1, 6pm-7pm (1 session)

Author Events that Sell Books and Build Community Tuesday, June 2, 6pm-7pm (1 session)

Sustaining Sales—

Keeping Your Book Going After Launch Thursday, June 4, 6pm-7pm (1 session)

T HE WRITER'S SALON

You are invited to this informal, monthly, open chat about all things writing. This drop-in conversation is intended for writers of all experience levels and any genre. The Salon is a conversation space, where all of us share our experiences and our questions.

Each month brings a loose topic although we'll follow the conversation wherever it goes! Join us for this lovely community discussion and grow your writing support system. Upcoming topics include:

• March 1: Reading Like Writers

• April 5: The Art of Getting Unstuck See you at The Salon!

• May 3: Productivity and Mindset

• June 7: Seasons of the Writing Life

We meet the 1st Sunday of most months from 4pm-5pm in the Readings Gallery of Village Books in Fairhaven

Chanticleer

BOOKS BY THE BAY BOOK FESTIVAL

Sunday, April 19, 11am-4pm at Village Books in Fairhaven

On Sunday, April 19th, the Chanticleer Authors Conference will host the annual Books by the Bay Book Fair in partnership with Village Books in historic Fairhaven!

This free event brings authors from around the world to the artistic heart of Bellingham, giving local readers a chance to discover amazing indie authors! Authors will be tabling all day, and conference attendees and Chanticleer International Book Award prize winners will read at a rolling Open Mic in the Readings Gallery. Parking is free on Sundays.

Come discover today’s best books with us!

June 25-27, 2026

Bellingham, WA

The Chuckanut Writers Conference is more than just a weekend of workshops. It’s an opportunity to engage your passion for writing, connect with fellow storytellers, and nurture your craft in the inspiring Pacific Northwest environment.

Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or you’re an experienced author, the Chuckanut Writers Conference offers a welcoming space for every voice.

We’re excited to come together once again to study the craft and business of writing and publishing, but most importantly, we'll network and encourage one another on the journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as keynote addresses, craft talks, author panels, an open mic, a faculty reading, and breakout sessions that combine lecture, discussion, and generative writing sessions. Faculty includes the current Washington State Poet Laureate, fiction and non-fiction writers, local publishers, and literary agents.

Join us for a weekend of learning, laughter, and creativity that will leave you feeling motivated and ready to bring your words to life.

Go to chuckanutwritersconference.com to for details and registration. There you can also sign up to receive the latest updates on presenters and other conference details delivered straight to your inbox!

accomplished writers, poets, publishing professionals, and literarty agents including:

•Kelli Russell Agodon

•Sarah Hawley

•Glen Hirshberg

•Sonora Jha

•Scott Lambridis

•Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe

•Donald Maass

•Laura Mazer

•Elise McHugh

•Brenda Miller

•Peter Mountford

•A. Muia

•Brendan O’Meara

•José Orduňa

•Katie Reed

•Anastacia-Reneé

•Derek Sheffield

•Lucy Tan

•Maya Jewell Zeller

Next Chapter Café

Inside Village Books in Fairhaven

Located on the mezzanine level of Village Books in Fairhaven, the Next Chapter Café provides a delicious selection of handcrafted pastries, Filipino cuisine, artisan sandwiches and local organic coffee.

We prioritize using the freshest ingredients, and working with other local businesses to bring a little magic to our menu.

Quality Ingredients

Local Flavors

Classes & Socials

Next Chapter Cafe is hosting a variety of community events and workshops this winter and spring. Watch for nextchapterbham.com for updates! Meanwhile, check out the regularly scheduled Silent Book Club reading nights 1st and 3rd Mondays. See page 79 for details. Scan the QR code to find events and our menu

Find Them In Paper Dreams

Funky's Hot Sauce Factory

Funkdified by fresh, local peppers, fearless combinations and frequent fermentation, Funky's Hot Sauce Factory brings the heat to the kitchen. A family-run business committed to using locally sourced and organic ingredients when available, these made-in-Bellingham sauces are 100% vegan, gluten free, and Non-GMO.

"Delicious, flavorful, fresh and local—I love them all. They are award-winning and have been featured on "Hot Ones." Please support locally owned indie businesses and enjoy!" –Erin

Run by a small, family-owned beekeeping business In Whatcom County, Bee Works Honey provides raw & unfiltered honeys from our fantastic NW botanical sources like maple, blackberry, fireweed, and alpine flower.

In the KITCHEN

Jacques Pépin Complete Techniques 50th Anniversary Edition: A Culinary Master Class from the Legendary Teacher— Over 600 Techniques, 1,000 Photographs, 160 Recipes by Jacques Pépin hardcover, available in April, Black Dog & Leventhal

Comprehensive, authoritative, but never intimidating, Jacques Pepin’s Complete Techniques —which combines the master chef’s landmark works, La Methode and La Technique —includes more than 600 cooking techniques and methods along with 160 recipes. The time-tested recipes in this volume teach everyone, from the greenest home cook to the most wizened professional, how to put techniques into practice. This completely revised edition includes color and black-and-white photographs and is redesigned to make it even easier to follow the step-by-step techniques.

The

Noma Guide to Building Flavour by

René Redzepi

and the Noma Test Kitchen available in April, hardcover, Artisan

This long-anticipated follow-up to the bestselling The Noma Guide to Fermentation offers more than 150 recipes for infused oils, vinaigrettes, fudges, spice mixes, rubs, sauces, and other flavor-boosting condiments that professional and home cooks can now make and use to elevate every part of their cooking. Most of the recipes are illustrated with step-by-step photo sequences detailing the techniques needed to transform surprisingly familiar ingredients into elements of Noma’s distinctive cuisine.

Cooking Lit

Bite by Bite : Nourishments and Jamborees

by Aimee Nezhukumatathil available in March, paperback, Ecco

The Butter Book

by Anna Stockwell

available in March, hardcover, Chronicle Books

Dive headfirst into this deliciously creamy, dreamy world to get the most out of your dairy drawer. The Butter Book is a true celebration of this essential ingredient, cleverly designed and just right for home cooks, gourmands, and homesteaders alike. Butter makes everything better.

Pizza Practice : Doughs, Techniques + Toppings

by Tara Jensen, photos by Scott Suchman available in March, hardcover, Chronicle Books Pizza dough is a gateway for many home bread bakers, allowing them to experiment with different tools, toppings, ingredients, timings, and shapes. This companion guides you step by step from the simplest doughs to artisanal bakes. With simple cook-along layouts and ways to explore different ingredients, techniques, flours, and heat sources for perfecting pizza, pita, and focaccia.

Year in a Cottage Kitchen : Plant-based Recipes From the Heart of Cornwall

by Madeleine Olivia available in March, hardcover, Quadrille

Content creator Madeleine Olivia shares 80 simple, seasonal plant-based recipes from the heart of Cornwall. Indulge in the slow, seasonal, and sustainable living with recipes including Homemade Crumpets, Warm Butter Bean, New Potato and Tomato Salad, and Apple Crumble.

In Bite by Bite, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances—a subtext or layering, a flavor tinged with joy, shame, exuberance, grief, desire, or nostalgia. Nezhukumatathil restores our astonishment and wonder about food through her encounters with a range of foods and food traditions. From shave ice to lumpia, mangoes to pecans, rambutan to vanilla, she investigates how food marks our experiences and identities and explores the boundaries between heritage and memory.

R UND IT UP

WHATCOM MUSEUM

The Whatcom Museum is your local museum.

In the early days of World War II, Bellingham residents came together to create a dedicated art and history space for the community. Today, the Whatcom Museum is proud to continue that vision with a campus dedicated to works by renowned regional and national artists, local history, and stories of our shared land and cultures. One ticket gets visitors into both exhibition buildings—Old City Hall and the Lightcatcher—and guests can also arrange to visit the historic photo archive collection, housed within Old Fire Station No. 1.

New art exhibitions open throughout the year, and admission to the Whatcom Museum also includes access to the Family Interactive Gallery, a dedicated play space and art studio for young children. New in 2026, “Thursdays at the Museum” offer kids fun ways to explore exhibitions and experiment with STEAM concepts on school early-release days.

And each month, the museum hosts Access for All Free First Fridays, with free admission, free programming, and extended hours until 9pm. Go to WhatcomMuseum.org to plan your visit.

Round It Up, our amazingly simple giving program, was designed to support local non-profits. Join Village Books and Paper Dreams customers who are supporting our community by rounding up your next purchase to the nearest dollar.

The Whatcom Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations support operations, exhibitions, field trips, and more.

Vote to help make this Old City Hall LEGO set a reality - time is ticking!

Ask about the Museum's wish list for books!

“The Whatcom Museum is unique because it is both a product of and for our community.” – Maria J. Coltharp, Whatcom Museum

Village Books and Paper Dreams LYNDEN

2025 James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program Recipient

Longtime Village Books employee Gaye Davis is the recipient of a 2025 James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus!

Born and raised in Lynden, Gaye recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the store, having been one of the original booksellers who helped open the Village Books location in Lynden over a decade ago.

Always eager to recommend your next favorite read, she's a big fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and children's books but enjoys other genres as well. Some favorite authors include C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Leon Uris, Anne Tyler, Frank Herbert, and Robert Munsch.

When not at work, Gaye spends her days—and sometimes half of her nights—practicing/rehearsing and teaching violin, and performing with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra and various other ensembles. She shares these musical talents at Village Books by hosting monthly musical story times for children (see page 37).

Other favorite pastimes include creating/crafting, knitting and crocheting, falling asleep while zentangling, and snuggling up with a cat, a blanket, and a good book.

"Gaye works so hard and her heart truly goes into everything she does. She is an awesome bookseller who deserves this," says Kelly Evert, Village Books co-owner.

Over the past 20 years, bestselling author James Patterson has donated millions of dollars to schools, libraries, literacy programs and others in the book community. For the past several years, he has made a tradition out of sending $500 checks to 600 independent booksellers who have been recommended by peers or patrons. Very cool!

Lynden LIVE! EVENTS

FREE to Attend

Village Books EVENTS IN LYNDEN

Lynden LitLive author events take place at the Inn at Lynden in the conference room—adjacent to Village Books and Paper Dreams. Seating is limited. Register at villagebooks.com. $5 event fees are returned in the form of a store voucher.

Saturday, April 4, 4pm

KEVIN MURPHY

KIDS!

Saturday, March 14, 2pm

LIZ DYKSTRA

–Dolores Daffodil

Join Liz Dykstra for a heart-warming journey through the watercolor world of Dolores Daffodil, a delightful tale set in Skagit Valley! Dolores Daffodil conveys a heartwarming message: every living being has purpose and significance, regardless of the stage of life they are in. This delightful story invites readers to engage in meaningful discussions about perseverance, friendship, kindness, resilience, and the importance of using our unique gifts to enhance the world around us. Can't make this event? You can catch Liz at Village Books in Fairhaven on Tuesday, March 24, at 11am.

Saturday, April 11, 2pm

ROD HAYNES

–The Last Normal Year

Join us for celebrated local poet Kevin Murphy as he discusses and reads from his new book of poetry, The Last Normal Year. Kevin Murphy has been performing his poetry of subversive whimsy for over 45 years, often accompanying himself on guitar or percussion. A winner of the Bellingham Mayor Arts Award, he is poet-in-residence at the Chuckanut Radio Hour, and has taught poetry through Whatcom Commnity College and the Whatcom Juvenile Justice Creative Writing Project. He has recorded two CDs of his work, Between Onions and Oxygen, and the Bird of Pure Midnight. His new poetry collection, The Last Normal Year, is just in time for the end of history and features new, selected, and previously undetected compositions. With nods to the Beats, the bards, the surrealists, and the blues, Murphy's approach is exuberant, comic, and slightly mad.

–Unauthorized Disclosures: A Navy Memoir of the 1980s

In the winter of 1980 Rod Haynes was broke and all but homeless on the streets of Seattle. Six months later, on a sunny parade field at the Newport, Rhode Island, Navy base, the author accepted his commission as an officer in the United States Navy. His remarkable ten-year journey took him around the world, including Guantanamo Bay, Italy, Beirut, Israel, and France. This honest, engaging narrative shares Haynes’ journey of self-discovery as the Cold War was ending. Rod will also present in Fairhaven March 28 at 2pm.

See pages 71-78 for

Lynden Writing Group

September is Eat Local Month

2nd Wednesdays at 7pm

What we are: A safe space to read your work out loud for feedback; an opportunity to gain insight and ideas for furthering your writing project. This group is about nurturing the writer, reflecting on their work and offering ideas or suggestions, or simply listening and encouraging.

All Welcome!

What we are not: A class or critic's circle.

Facilitated by Mary Roy, we meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 7pm-9pm.

Location: adjacent to Village Books in the Inn at Lynden Waples Room–enter through the Inn side entrance.

March 11 • April 8 • May 13 • June 10

WHAT LYNDEN WAS READING

Check out the Bestsellers at our Lynden Store!

1. Solito by Javier Zamora

2. Footsteps on Front Street by Troy Luginbill

3. Hiking Whatcom County by Ken Wilcox

4. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

5. What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

6. Old Barns of Whatcom County Volume One by Jeff Barclay

7. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

6. Old Barns of Whatcom County Volume Two by Jeff Barclay

9. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

10. My Friends by Fredrik Backman WOW!

HALF of these top selling books were written by Whatcom County authors!

Thanks for supporing local, Lynden!

Lynden Loves Local!

Village Books and Paper Dreams

There is SO much going on at Village Books and Paper Dreams, we've expanded our eNewsletter offerings so you don't miss out! You can now select exactly what type of updates you would like to receive. In addition to our weekly News and Events newsletter, we now have the following newsletters to choose from—pick one or all, it's up to you. Unless otherwise noted, these newsletters arrive monthly.

Subscribe and Stay In the Know • College Student newsletter

• Book Clubs newsletter

• Just Write! newsletter

• Staff Recommendations newsletter • Educators and Schools newsletter (quarterly)

"Variety is the spice of life!"

Join Gaye from Village Books Lynden and the Front Streeters book group as they discuss titles from a variety of genres. They meet in person in the Waples Room of the Inn at Lynden (adjacent to Village Books) at 7pm the third Wednesday of each month.

Book Group Lynden FRONT Streeters

March 18, 7pm The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan

April 15, 7pm AUTHOR ATTENDING! What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

May 20, 7pm The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration

Attendees are eligible for a 15% discount on group selections

Saturdays at 11am

st rytimes Lynden KIDS

First Saturdays of each Month

Dino Stories with Jagger

VB's own Troy Luginbill and his puppet pal Jagger will entertain the little ones with a half hour of dinosaur-themed stories and fun! Bring your own stuffed dino to snuggle!

March 7 • April 4 • May 2 • June 6

Second Saturdays

Princess Poppie Story Time

Join the one and only Village Books Princess Poppie as she shares her favorite fantastic fairy tales!

Third Saturday Story Times Read to a Dog

Village Books in Lynden is excited to offer this fuzzy friendly story time where THE KIDS do all the reading... TO OUR WONDERFUL GUEST DOGS!

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Story Time with a FIRE FIGHTER

Special Saturdays

Join us for Stories & Songs with Gaye

Saturdays March 14 • April 11 May 9 • June 13

Saturdays March 21 • April 18 May 16 • June 20

Saturdays, March 28 & May 23

Join a member of the Lynden Fire Department as they sit down with the kiddos for a very special story time. Don’t miss out!

Saturdays, April 25, May 30, June 27 at 11am

You and your young book and music lovers can join Gaye for a half hour of stories and songs at this special MUSICAL Saturday story time.

Village Books donates a portion of proceeds from sales of Solito to Whatcom READS through March 2026.

by Javier Zamora Solito: A Memoir

Whatcom READS is a countywide program that encourages everyone to read and discuss the same book. The 2026 selection is Solito: A Memoir by New York Times bestselling, award-winning author, poet, and activist Javier Zamora. The overwhelming embrace of this selection—a harrowing and heartfelt look at the immigrant experience —is a testament to the people of Whatcom County. The 2027 reading selection will be announced at the March 13 event at Mount Baker Theatre.

Friday, March 13, 7pm

March12-March13, 2026

SOLD OUT

An Evening with Javier Zamora at the Mount Baker Theatre

NOTE: Watch whatcomreads.org for a possible live streaming option.

“A riveting tale of perseverance and the lengths humans will go to help each other in times of struggle.” –Dave Eggers

Read the book then join us for a series of related events taking place throughout the county - watch whatcomreads.org!

ART CHALLENGE

Opening Reception: Friday, March 6, 6pm - 9pm

Exhibit Dates: March 6 - 27, 2026

Presented in collaboration with Allied Arts of Whatcom County, the Art Challenge offered artists of all ages and experience levels an opportunity to explore themes related to this year’s Whatcom READS title and to present their work for public display. Stop by and see the reuslts!

Available in English and Spanish.

Whatcom READS is organized by all the public and academic libraries in Whatcom County and Village Books, with significant funding from Friends of the Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom County Library

Foundation and support from other local businesses and organizations.

Local writers of all ages explored the theme Family: Formed, Found, and Chosen drawn from Solito by Javier Zamora. Top entries were selected for publication in the Whatcom WRITES anthology. Copies available now at Village Books!

Self Care

Health

All About Allergies : Everything You Need to Know About Asthma, Food Allergies, Hay Fever, and More

Zachary Rubin, MD

available now, hardcover, Plume

In All About Allergies, Dr. Rubin explores and explains dozens of allergies and diseases and provides actionable treatment options and information. Sections on the history of allergies, asthma, contact dermatitis, sinusitis, food allergies, anaphylaxis, medication allergies, and more pair with treatment info on medications, immunotherapy, and biologics to equip people with the tools they need to tackle their allergies.

Self Help

Spritualtiy The Wisdom of Walking in Nature : 50 Mindful and Therapeutic Ways to Enjoy Any Walk

by Alison Davies available in April, hardcover, Rizzoli Universe

From urban strolls to countryside hikes, dog walks, or even a quick trip to the shops, this daily companion captures the essence of walking therapy, inspiring you to make walking a joyful and restorative habit and encouraging even the most reluctant rambler to enjoy the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of walking in nature.

The Practice of Attention: Cultivating Presence in a Distracted World

by Cody Cook-Parrott

available in March, paperback, St. Martin's Essentials / Sounds True

It’s no secret that our attention is fractured. We look for distraction anytime we have a spare moment or feel bored or uncomfortable. We yearn to be fully immersed in the moment, whether for deep work or pleasure, but we have almost forgotten how. Beloved artist and teacher Cook-Parrott offers a vulnerable exploration of how they overcame social media and technology addiction, sharing their “road map for reclaiming the most precious of resources: our time.”

Fun and Functional

Check out our Wild Woolies Felt Birdhouses

Gardening

Don't Throw It, Grow It, 2/E : 68 Windowsill Plants from Kitchen Scraps

by Deborah Peterson and Millicent Selsam

available now, paperback, Storey Publishing

Dozens of foods have pits, seeds, and roots waiting to be rescued from the compost bin and brought back to life on your windowsill. Planted and nurtured, the shiny pomegranate seeds left over from breakfast and the piece of neglected gingerroot in your refrigerator will grow into healthy, vigorous houseplants.

Let's

Botanize:

101 Ways to Connect with Plants

by Ben Goulet-Scott and Jacob S. Suissa available now, paperback, Storey Publishing

With easy entry points and lush photography, 101 prompts inspire readers to engage with plant life meaningfully each day by observing the parts, patterns, and processes that make plants so amazing. Follow the prompts on dedicated walks in the woods, on your sidewalk, on your commute to work, or even in your kitchen!

The Compact Garden : A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces

by Char & Marv Lopez

available in April, hardcover, DK

Char and Marv of Planted in the Garden are urban gardeners from Toronto who fell in love with growing food, not only for the fresh homegrown vegetables, but to show that small spaces can still produce big harvests. Learn how to set up raised beds, containers, and vertical gardens to maximize growing space both indoors and outdoors. Discover which crops are easy to grow and low maintenance, including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces, beans, peas, and more.

PNBA BOOK AWARDS

WINNERS

Each year, the PNBA Book Awards celebrate exceptional books written by Northwest authors. The books on this page were selected by a dedicated volunteer committee of independent booksellers out of hundreds of nominated titles all published in 2025 Congratulations to this year’s winners! 2026 PACIFIC NORTHWEST BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION AWARD

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

by Omar El Akkad (West Linn, OR)

The three-time Pacific Northwest Book Award winner peels back the facade of Western "polite society” and reminds us of the power we have to push back against our tarnished history. A celebration of Palestinian life and a reckoning with tangible and rhetorical violence, this book calls on all of us to take harrowing stock of our complicity with violent empire. A seismic piece of writing with the power to save minds and lives. Alfred A. Knopf

The Antidote: A Novel

by Karen Russell (Portland,

OR)

Set in Nebraska during the Dust Bowl, trouble and magic are brewing in this modern-day epic. As we settle into the cast of characters, their memories, secrets, and desires push at the very seams of Russell's text in her usual sharp and strange style. This is a book that asks us to look to the future as much as we do the past; it's as hopeful as it is referential, and fantastically brutal in its sincerity. Alfred A. Knopf

Speechless

by Aron Nels Steinke (Portland, OR)

Middle schooler Mira has no problem expressing herself at home where she finds joy in making stop-motion films, but when the struggles of personal and school life don't balance and an old friend’s family emergency arise, finding the right words becomes increasingly difficult. Speechless renders empathy for those who struggle with communication and anxiety as it exhibits the power of small steps in our personal journeys. When it feels like everything is going wrong, will Mira ever find her voice? Graphix

Seattle

Samurai by

Kelly Goto (Seattle,

WA)

Kelly Goto celebrates the work of her father Sam Goto, the creator and illustrator of the Seattle Tomodachi comic strip, in this moving tribute to his life and artistic legacy. Sam's views on community, integrity, and humor shine beside a larger story of Japanese immigrants making a life in the United States. Kelly's detailed archival work reveals the true breadth of her father’s being and celebrates an essential piece of Pacific Northwest history. Chin Music Press

Sinkhole, and Other Inexplicable Voids: Stories

by Leyna Krow (Spokane, WA)

A backyard sinkhole that returns broken things magically fixed becomes an obsession for a woman convinced she can be a better version of herself. A "twin" baby suddenly appears alongside a six-month old and the baffled family welcomes him into their lives. Crow skillfully mixes slice-of-life with climate change unease and elements of the uncanny as her characters grapple with how to care for themselves and others in times of uncertainty. Penguin Books

Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific

by Coll Thrush (Vancouver,

BC)

Coll Thrush retells Graveyard of the Pacific shipwreck stories to include colonial ambitions and Indigenous perspectives that have not been shared in this way before. Meticulously researched, these stories tell of seafaring settlers and the personalized aftermath of disaster, exposing territorial ambitions and a shaping of the truth that the spoils may go to the victors. This is a groundbreaking, compassionate work and a valuable contribution to the historical canon of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press

Humor

How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay: Tips and Tricks That Kept Me Alive, Happy, and Creative in Spite of Myself by Jenny Lawson

available in March, hardcover, Penguin Life

Something to Enjoy

Games

In How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, Jenny Lawson shares more than one hundred humorous, heartfelt, and genuine tools and tricks that she relies on to keep her going even when her brain isn’t working properly due to depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also offers tips to stay passionate and focused on creative endeavors, especially when everything around you is telling you to give up.

Crafts

Crafting for Your Cat: 25 Playful Projects for You and Your Feline Friends by Annika Hinds

available in March, hardcover, Chronicle Books Crafting for Your Cat is a fun collection of DIY projects ranging from simple, beginnerfriendly crafts to more advanced builds for those ready to tackle a challenge. Each project comes with clear, step-by-step instructions rated on a paw system, helpful tips, and room for customization so you can create something truly unique that suits your best friend. Your kitty deserves it!

Puzzles The Rube Goldberg Puzzle Book : Over Four Dozen Inventive Conundrums! by Robert Leighton illustrated by Rube Goldberg available in April, hardcover, Puzzlewright Press

Cartoonist Rube Goldberg’s outlandish, hilarious inventions have entertained generations—and now they've provided the inspiration for all-new brainteasers by puzzlemaster Robert Leighton. This celebration of creativity and ingenuity features puzzles based on classic strips as well as new cartoons specially created for this book. Other surprises abound, including games based on Rube's many other comic strips and running gags, such as Old Man Alf of the Alphabet, Mike and Ike, Foolish Questions , and Bertha the Siberian Cheesehound.

Queen of Swords: A Romantasy

Puzzle Quest

by Sara Sehdev and Gareth Moore available now, paperback, Puzzlewright Press Penryn is celebrating the equinox on the Night of the Stars… but that night she dreams of the fae Rafrael, and later catches a glimpse of him in his realm across the river. He recognizes her necklace, a gift from her late mother, and soon they are off on an epic journey of love, intrigue, magic, and mayhem, with 30 fantastical illustrated puzzles to solve along the way, involving codebreaking, logic, and creative thinking.

Pets

The Best Dog in the World : Essays on Love edited by Alice Hoffman available in March, hardcover, Scribner

Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. Here, in this charming collection of essays, 15 celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left their pawprints on their hearts. The Best Dog in the World captures the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend.

Looking for a Fun Challenge?

Try Our History Mystery

Puzzle Hunts!

It's always fun to try new things and we offer an experience we think you'll enjoy—escape room style challenges that you solve throughout our stores. There are unique challenges at both our Fairhaven and Lynden locations. Free to play—just ask a bookseller to get you started.

Once you've solved both of those, you're eligible to try your hand at a third challenge! Completed entries are added to a monthly drawing for fun prizes.

Note: the in-store challenges take an average of 45-60 minutes to solve and while kids can absolutley join in, the puzzles have a level of difficulty intended for ages 14+.

Poetry Month Poetry Month

Poetry Readings Galore! Find even more at Villagebooks.com & pages 71-79

Saturday, April 4, 4pm in Lynden! in LYNDEN

KEVIN MURPHY

–The Last Normal Year : Poetry

Wednesday, April 8, 6pm Western Washington Poets

Network Anthology Reading and Open Mic

Anthologies: –Open Book and –Surviving Interesting Times

Sunday, April 12, 4pm

MICHELLE LATVALA in conversation with Sara Airoldi –Between Latitudes : Poems

Sunday, April 12, 6pm

BRENDA MILLER in conversation with Dayna Patterson & Elizabeth Vignali –Love You, Bye: A Daughter's Journey in Essays and Poems

Monday, April 13, 6pm

KENADIE LEE –Handwritten

Saturday, April 25, 6pm

PRISCILLA LONG in conversation with Bethany Reid –Cartographies of Home

Tuesday, April 28, 6pm DAVID MASON –Cold Fire : Poems

thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/contest

Submissions accepted though March 31, 2026. Poems must not exceed 27 lines, including the title and blank lines, with 55 or fewer characters per line.

For complete guidelines and submission details, scan the QR code or visit the website.

A Place Both Wonderful and Strange : The Extraordinary Untold History of Twin Peaks

by Scott Meslow available now, hardcover, Running Press

Performing Arts

The influence of Twin Peaks is inescapable. It’s hard to imagine prestige television like True Detective, Severance, and so many other shows in this genre could exist without Lynch and Frost’s visionary brilliance. With David Lynch's passing in 2025, there may never be another return to the quirky, mysterious, and unforgettable town of Twin Peaks, but A Place Both Wonderful and Strange serves as testament to the impact it had on the world.

Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A '90s Rock Memoir

Melissa Auf der Maur hardcover, available in March, Da Capo

Thanks to a thrown beer bottle and a longshot fan letter, Auf der Maur’s band scored a life-changing opening slot for The Smashing Pumpkins and, sensing her natural talent on bass, Billy Corgan recommended her to Courtney Love, just one of the many uncanny threads that weaves destiny throughout this riveting memoir. Whisked from her local scene and thrust into the eye of a hurricane of grief on a global stage, Melissa joined Hole for the band's 1994 Live Through This world tour. That was only the beginning of her journey. Part rock memoir, part travel diary, part psychedelic scrapbook, this is a behind-the-scenes rock ’n’ roll memoir with a soulful intimacy and mystic undertone.

With a Little Help From Their Friends : The Beatles and the People Who Made Them

Stuart Maconie

hardcover, available in April, Abrams

These four legends didn’t change the world in isolation; their story has an incredible supporting cast of family, friends, managers, producers, publicists, ex-bandmates, fellow musicians, and more. These somebodies shaped the Fab Four through ambition, power, friendship, heartbreak, tragedy, intrigue, humor, lust, and of course, love. Stuart Maconie’s book is the epic story of the iconic band through the people who made them, from childhood days in Liverpool through the crucible of Hamburg and on to international superstardom.

Art

Edmonia Lewis : Said in Stone by Jeffrey Richmond-Moll and Shawnya Harris available now, hardcover, University of Chicago Press

This lavishly illustrated volume reproduces examples of all Lewis’s known works and shares new discoveries that illuminate her artistic vision of community, reform, and resilience. Essays place her sculptures in conversation with abolitionist and feminist movements and consider the themes Lewis’s art addressed, including Indigenous artistry, social and political reformers, and religious and mythological subjects.

Our World in Ten Buildings : How Architecture Defines Who We Are and How We Live

by Michael P. Murphy

available in April, hardcover, Atria We've been led to believe that purposefully designed spaces are something reserved only for those that can afford them. But in reality, all the spaces we inhabit have been planned and built to influence our lives. With rare insight, access, and passion, Murphy braids the history of architecture with his own iconic projects to show the power of urban design and how it revolutionizes our homes, minds, workplaces, safety, and health care.

The Spaces That Make Us : Why Design Is Broken and How We Can Create a Happier, Healthier World

by Danish Kurani available now, hardcover, Harper Celebrate We live in a symbiotic relationship with the spaces around us, first we make our spaces, and then our spaces make us. For twenty years, architect and designer Danish Kurani has been transforming spaces to improve people’s health and happiness through the design of schools, homes, offices, and community centers across four continents. The Spaces That Make Us will change how you see the world and help you remake your spaces for a happier, healthier life.

Biographies & Memoirs

Dogs, Boys, and Other Things

I’ve Cried About : A Memoir by Isabel Klee available in April, hardcover, William Morrow Isabel’s first true love was Simon, a fluffy puppy who’d been saved from the meat trade. As the highs and lows of her twenties hit Isabel in wave after wave, it was Simon who kept her grounded. Together, Isabel and Simon created a community of dog-lovers and a tight-knit group of friends pursuing their dreams. In this honest and moving memoir, Isabel weaves together the stories of her foster dogs with tales of complicated relationships, hard decisions, and great loves in New York City, all leading to a happy ending not only for the rescue pups, but for Isabel herself.

Unread : A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok

by Oliver James available now, hardcover, Union Square James has become a BookTok sensation for the way he’s candidly documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way. Here, he tells the full story behind his journey for the first time through the 21 key books that shaped and informed his experience. His story reveals the ways in which reading can teach each of us how to be better, more empathetic people.

Make Do and Mend : A Breakup Memoir

by Anne H. Putnam

available now, paperback, A-Minus Books

Young

King:

The Making

of Martin Luther King Jr. by Lerone Martin available in May, hardcover, Amistad Before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and a global hero, he was an emotional boy, and a middling high school student devoted to fashion, dancing, and dating. As America undergoes another era of turmoil and change, this powerful biography offers encouragement for readers at a similar moment of life and provides an understanding of how greatness comes to light.

Young

Man

in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery

by Gavin Newsom available now, hardcover, Penguin Press

In Young Man in a Hurry, Gavin Newsom traces his rise as a successful businessman and the happenstance that led him to politics. As the governor of California, he confronts the challenges of balancing his family life as he guides California through plague, flood, wildfire, and the rise of autocratic figures in American politics, and examines the many forces that shaped the lives of his parents and grandparents.

Writing About Relationships!

Saturday, May 9, 4pm at Village Books in Fairhaven ANNE H. PUTNAM in conversation with Ashleigh Renard

Radically vulnerable and illuminating, Make Do and Mend is perfect for anyone who's ever played one of Taylor Swift's heartrending breakup songs on repeat or talked a little too much about her ex on a first date. A touching, and sometimes funny, tale of one millennial's journey through the ugly parts of heartbreak, Putnam examines the decidedly unsexy process of healing and post-traumatic growth.

Biographies & Memoirs

You With the Sad Eyes: A Memoir

by Christina Applegate

available in March, hardcover, Little, Brown

Past the early fame and learning to cope with her MS diagnosis, Christina Applegate unveils a story not even those closest to her fully know. She returns to the diaries she kept her whole life, finding the pain matched by joy, the losses mitigated by the extraordinary, and the weight of life lifted by her unrelenting belief that something greater lay ahead.

Traveling:

On the Path of Joni Mitchell

by Ann Powers

available in March, paperback, Day Street Books

Through extensive interviews with Mitchell's peers and deep archival research, she takes readers to rural Canada, mapping the singer’s childhood battle with polio. She charts the course of Mitchell’s musical evolution, ranging from early folk to jazz fusion to experimentation with pop synthetics. Along this journey, Powers’ wide-ranging musings on the artist’s life and career reconsider the biographer’s role and the way it twines against the reality of a fan.

Everything Changes Everything: Love, Loss, and a Really Long Walk

by Lauren Kessler

available now, hardcover, Balance

Everything Changes Everything is a story about facing what we’d rather avoid, about the wounds we carry, hide, and—sometimes— heal. It’s about the privilege of choosing hardship, the grace of temporary friendship, the solace of kindred spirits, and the power of movement to unstick what’s stuck. It’s also about unfounded optimism, unlikely laughter, and the way grief and beauty can coexist in a single step.

Good Woman : A Reckoning

by Savala Nolan

available in March, hardcover, Mariner Books

For anyone looking for a sharp, daring, thoughtful book of feminist essays—this is a must read. It is full of ideas that reframe what 'womanhood' means and how our thinking can be shifted, even turned on its head, to re-examine how we live our lives, raise our daughters, and view women as a society. –Caitriona

Adult Braces : Driving Myself Sane

by Lindy West

available in March, hardcover, Grand Central Behind the scenes, Lindy West never felt like she was the woman fans made her out to be. When she found herself in the throes of a deep depression, with her marriage and sense of self-worth hanging in the balance, she knew she needed to make a change. In Adult Braces , she shares the story of her rock bottom, and of the journey she took to claw her way out of it. With her trademark candor and sense of humor, she examines her post-Shrill emotional implosion, her shifting feelings about traditional marriage, and her search for her long-lost self.

Labor: One Woman's Work

by Dr. Mary Fariba Afsari available in April, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

A powerful and inspiring memoir of one woman's work to bring health care to women and to honor their reproductive rights. Deciding to help those that are not able to get the health care they need, Dr. Afsari converts an RV into a mobile women's health clinic, and she and her team service the Pacific Northwest. Written with humor and honest stories Dr. Afsari shows us that one person can make a difference. –Kelly E.

SPORTS

Court Queens : Celebrate the Players, Teams, and History of Women’s Basketball

by Emma Baccellieri and Jordan Robinson available in March, hardcover, Black Dog & Leventhal

I am old enough to remember the beginning of the WNBA, watching games on a tiny TV in my college apartment building. To see the history of women’s basketball laid out in this beautiful book makes me so happy. From long skirts in black and white pics to CC’s logo-3, it’s in here. –Sarah

The Latest From Village Books' Chuckanut Editions Dirty Dan Harris Scandalous Father of Fairhaven

by H. Leon Greene

Chuckanut Editions is pleased to announce the publication of the foremost educative biography of notorious local legend, Daniel Harris. "Dirty Dan" Harris is often credited with founding Fairhaven in the early 1900s, and the story of his life is that of many pioneers of the Pacific Northwest.

Author H. Leon Greene, a local historian whose other books include Lake Whatcom: A History, relied on the foundational research done by Ralph W. Thacker. Well-researched and documented, this biography is sure to delight local history buffs in Whatcom County and beyond.

Chuckanut Editions is Village Books' own publishing imprint. Dedicated to the preservation of local history, we are thrilled to help share the story of Dirty Dan Harris with you!

A High Price for Freedom : Raising Hidden Voices from the African American Past

History

by Clyde W. Ford available now, hardcover, Amistad History is at its best when new findings and perspectives challenge old ideas and notions about the past, and even overturn common wisdom. What if a former enslaved man in Galveston, Texas, witnessed the first Juneteenth and told a completely different story from what most of us know about that day? Why were slave ships most prone to rebellion, including those carrying the most African women? Eye-opening, enlightening, and often counterintuitive, this fascinating history includes compelling, heartrending, and factual accounts about people and events in the African American past. A local author!

Clyde Ford

Sunday, April 12, time TBD at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

Join local author Clyde Ford as he discusses his latest book, A High Price for Freedom! Village Books will be on hand selling copies of Ford's books—don't miss out!

This Land is Your Land : A Road Trip Through U.S. History

Beverly Gage

available in April, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

From the birth of the nation in Philadelphia to Disneyland and the California dream, This Land Is Your Land offers a guided tour of 13 places and 13 key moments that define America’s greatest successes and challenges. This Land Is Your Land is for everyone who wants to find that history—to experience it and confront it, to celebrate it and condemn it—in the places where it happened.

Femina : A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It

by Janina Ramirez available now, paperback, Hanover Square Press

The middle ages are seen as a bloodthirsty time of Vikings, saints and kings: a patriarchal society which oppressed and excluded women. But when we dig a little deeper into the truth, we can see that the “dark” ages were anything but. Oxford and BBC historian Janina Ramirez has uncovered countless influential women's names struck out of historical records, with the word FEMINA annotated beside them. As gatekeepers of the past ordered books to be burnt, artworks to be destroyed, and new versions of myths, legends and historical documents to be produced, our view of history has been manipulated.

The Free and the Dead : The Untold Story of the Black Seminole Chief, the Indigenous Rebel, and America's Forgotten War

Jamie Holmes

available now, hardcover, Atria

The Seminole Wars took place between the United States and the tribes of Florida as they battled for the land. Here, formerly enslaved families and Seminole families had lived side by side for generations, building communities in the interior, beyond the reach of the growing United States. But in 1835, the young country took up arms against them, seeking to forcibly remove all Indigenous people and return their allies to slavery. Tribes and bands came together across racial lines to preserve their freedom from federal interference. As the fight waged on, two men—Abraham, a free Black American, and the esteemed Creek warrior Osceola— worked together to save their lands and their people.

Sports The History of the World in 12 Soccer Matches

by Stefano Bizzotto, translated by Will Schutt available in May, hardcover, Melville House Soccer has always intersected with history from the sport's beginning in 1848. Echoes of what's happening off the pitch have reached the global playing field in unthinkable ways. Alternating between journalism and first-hand accounts from the protagonists, this work invites us to look at our past and present from a new point of view. Because, beyond what we may think, sometimes history happens while someone, somewhere, is kicking a ball around.

The Armchair Historians Book Group meets monthly. See page 78 for details and additional groups.

Cultural

Criticism

Chain of Ideas : The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age

by Ibram X. Kendi available in March, hardcover, One World In Chain of Ideas , international bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi uses exacting and clear prose to uncover the roots of great replacement theory and its various mutations around the world. It is an unsettling but indispensable global history of how great replacement theory brought humanity into this authoritarian age—and how we can free ourselves from it.

Science & Nature

The Creatures’ Guide to Caring: How Animal Parents Teach Us That Humans Were Born to Care

by Elizabeth Preston available in May, hardcover, Viking

With warmth, humor, and occasional run-ins with bodily fluids, science journalist Elizabeth Preston leads a highly accessible tour of cutting-edge research into how and why we and other animals care for young. She discovers that humans evolved to raise our kids in cooperative groups, and that the tools we've inherited for caretaking aren't only for moms or dads—they're the basis for our human society.

The Edge of Space-Time : Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie

by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

available in April, hardcover, Pantheon Books Chanda Prescod-Weinstein performs the incredible feat of explaining the forces that compose the universe with some of the deepest love and wit I've ever seen in a nonfiction book. Using inviting language anyone can easily engage with, PrescodWeinstein shares her awe at the miracle of existence—of particles, of humanity, of galaxies— while explaining the intricacies of all of them to a level of detail sure to inspire cosmic wonder in any reader. –Bailey

Traversal

by Maria Popova

available now, hardcover, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

A new genre-defying work that asks a lot of big questions. How does a planet become a world? How does matter become life? How does a human become a self? What does it mean to live a life of meaning? Made up of braided biographies, from well-known folks (Mary Shelley, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass) along with lesser-known figures, we follow these lives as they “traverse” the planet.

WE LOVE DOGS!

We have treats for our furryfaced friends at the registers.

In

Trees : An Exploration by Robert Moor available in April, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

One day, on a whim, Robert Moor set out to climb a tree near his home—unwittingly embarking on what would become a decadelong, globe-spanning adventure of intellectual and spiritual transformation, pursuing the hidden wisdom of trees. Along the way, Moor learns the art of “tree-thinking,” which, he discovers, has the power to break open some of humanity’s oldest questions: What is the secret to truly growing old? How do we set down deeper roots in an increasingly chaotic world? Most importantly, how should we—as individuals, as communities, as stewards of the earth—live?

Pests

& Other Friends : Discover the True Nature of the Most Maligned Animals by Halsey Berryman available in March, hardcover, DK

Pests and so-called nuisance animals get a bad rap, but each and every one of them serves a purpose in their ecosystem. Armadillos dig holes in backyards, but did you know that they also consume many troublesome species? Or that prairie dog burrows provide other animals with much needed shelter? From the deserts of the Southwest to the city streets of the East Coast, Pests & Other Friends celebrates the unique ways in which these underappreciated animals benefit their individual environments.

When the Forest Breathes : Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World

by Suzanne Simard

available in March, hardcover, Knopf Publishing Group

Forest ecologist Suzanne Simard (Finding the Mother Tree) masterfully conveys the interconnectedness of all forest life, and the reliance on cycles of life and death. Mirrored by her own experience of cycles within her family—her daughters coming into their own, her mother reaching the end of her life—the narrative woven is a compelling call for the importance of maintaining these cycles. Reaching a beautiful synthesis of Indigenous stewardship and Western science, Simard lays the foundation for a new way forward if only we can heed her call to action. –Caitriona

Saturday, March 14, 2pm

CHARLES LUCKMANN

–Carry the Flame:

The Remarkable Story of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School

Carry the Flame vividly recounts the early years of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School (COBWS) in Northwest Ontario. More than 50 eclectic, reflective, and humorous personal essays, former staff, administrators, board members, and students articulate the distinctive spirit of the school and its lasting impact on their lives.

Saturday, March 21, 2pm

NOTE: Location TBD/ Date May Change

KILIII YÜYAN

–Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet

Featuring a decade of his National Geographic photography, Guardians of Life takes readers on an extraordinary visual odyssey—from the Amazon rainforest to Greenland's sea ice—revealing Indigenous communities as Earth's most powerful protectors. “A visually dazzling and deeply informative collection that will linger with readers long after the last page." – Kirkus Reviews

Saturday, April 11, 6pm at Sehome High School

TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS

–The Glorians:

Visitations from the Holy Ordinary

From the visionary bestselling author, a revelatory work of narrative nonfiction exploring beauty in the desert, climate change, and, transformative moments of power in a world beset by uncertainty. See more on page 51.

SPEAKER SERIES SPRING 2026

Authors, poets, and artists share their new works celebrating

These events take place at Village Books in Fairhaven unless otherwise noted. Co-sponsored by North Cascades Institute. Pre-registration is requested.

Sunday, April 26, 4pm

MARIA MUDD RUTH

–The Bird with Flaming Red Feet : Seasons with an Uncommonly Common Seabird

Bridging the gap between field guide and memoir, The Bird with Flaming Red Feet invites readers to slow down, look closely, and reconnect with the wild places—and creatures—just outside their door. It’s a joyful call to observation, stewardship, and a deeper understanding of our coastal world.

Thursday, May 7, 6pm

DAVE HUNTER and JILL LIGHTNER

–Mason Bee Revolution, 2nd Ed.:

How the Hardest Working Bee Can Save the World One Backyard at a Time Mason Bee Revolution explains how docile, hard-working, solitary mason bees are even more productive pollinators than honeybees, and keeping them can be a fun, easy, backyard hobby for gardeners, conservationists, foodies, and families everywhere.

Wednesday, May 13, 6pm

CRAIG ROMANO

–Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula, 3rd ed. and TAMI ASARS

–Day Hiking Snoqualmie Pass

Join us in welcoming two outdoor specialists for a special double feature.

Saturday, May 23, 6pm

THOMAS LOWE FLEISCHNER

–Astonished by Beauty: A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention

A naturalist and conservation biologist, Thomas Fleischner is a leading voice advocating for the importance and rejuvenation of natural history.

Art by Claire Girodana

Guide Books

Trusted Advice From the Experts

Meet the Authors!

Saturday, June 6, 6pm at Village Books in Fairhaven

Steve Giordano & Lynn Rosen

Scenic Driving Washington:

Including Mount Rainier

National Park, Mount Baker, Moran State Park, and Deception Pass State Park by Steve Giordano and Lynn Rosen available now, paperback, Globe Pequot Publishing Washington State boasts some of the most diverse and breathtaking scenery in the country. Twenty-five carefully selected drives offer a sampling of this variety. Choose from challenging mountain drives with glorious vistas, a peaceful pastoral excursion through farm country, and a loop through the rain forest of Olympic National Park. Authors Steve Giordano and Lynn Rosen add local insight about the people, the diverse climate, and the history that make the Evergreen State unique. The drive descriptions provide additional information about camping, the best travel seasons, and special attractions along the way. Also included are detailed maps and nearly 200 intriguing color photos.

Day Hiking

Olympic Peninsula, 3rd ed.

by Craig Romano

available in May, paperback, Mountaineers Books

With hikes to rugged alpine peaks, lush river valleys, and the wild Pacific coast, Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula, 3rd Edition, is the essential guide for exploring one of Washington’s most iconic regions. Featuring 136 hikes—including 10 all-new routes— this completely revised edition is packed with accurate, boots-onthe-ground research. Hikes range from backcountry treks to family-friendly nature trails under three miles--so there are adventures for hikers of all levels. Each entry includes key details on distance, difficulty, and trail highlights.

Wednesday, May 13, 6pm at Village Books in Fairhaven

Craig Romano & Tami Asars

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI

Day Hiking Snoqualmie Pass

Tami Asars

available in April, paperback, Mountaineers Books

Within easy day-hiking distance for Seattle and Ellensburg area hikers, the Snoqualmie Pass region boasts an abundance of incredible variety: forested valleys, alpine meadows, craggy peaks, and even high desert terrain. Day Hiking Snoqualmie Pass features boots-on-the-ground research by seasoned Washington hiking expert Tami Asars. With 126 handpicked trails, this is the most accurate and comprehensive guide to one of the state’s most beloved outdoor playgrounds. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, wildflowers, or wide-open views, this guide ensures you’ll get the most out of every mile.

The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore

and Enjoy Your Local Waters

by Marc Fryt

available in April, paperback, Chelsea Green Publishing Company

While city dwellers often turn to hiking, biking, or simply enjoying a local park as healthy pastimes that don't come with high costs or distant travel, one rewarding pursuit remains largely untapped in urban environments: fly fishing. Check out this one-of-a-kind guide that reveals the accessibility, affordability, community, and unique adventures that urban waters offer.

Marc Fryt

Meet the Author!

Wednesday, May 6, 6pm at Village Books in Fairhaven

Terry Tempest Wil liams

Saturday,

April 11,

6pm at Sehome High School

“I go to Terry Tempest Williams for the reasons I go to Whitman and Thoreau: to recover a capacious spirit and to rejoin the urgent living world. She gives me something bigger than hope.” –Richard Powers, author of The Overstory

Join us in welcoming acclaimed nature writer and bestselling author Terry Tempest Williams to Bellingham! She will discuss The Glorians, her new revelatory work of narrative nonfiction that explores beauty, climate change, and transformative moments of hope in a world beset by uncertainty.

In this time of political fragility, climate chaos, and seeking hope wherever we can find its glimmer, Terry Tempest Williams introduces us to the Glorians. They are not distant deities, but the ordinary, often overlooked presences—animal, plant, memory, moment—that reveal our shared vulnerability and interconnectedness with the natural world. The Glorians can be as small as an ant ferrying a coyote willow blossom to its queen or as commonplace as the night sky. But what they can collectively teach us—about the radical act of attending to beauty and carrying forward against all odds—is immense.

Terry Tempest Williams is the award-winning author of 17 books of creative nonfiction, including the environmental classic, Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place. She will be in conversation with local author Brenda Miller. Miller is the author of five essay collections, including An Earlier Life, which received the Washington State Book Award for Memoir, and is the recipient of six Pushcart Prizes.

$5 - Tickets are selling fast so go to villagebooks.com to reserve your seat soon. Please note: Only pre-ordered books will be autographed.

A Nature of Writing Speaker Series Event -Presented with North Cascades Institute

Astonished by Beauty:

A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention by Thomas Lowe Fleischner available in May, paperback, Torrey House Press What happens when we truly pay attention to the natural world? Astonished by Beauty offers a thoughtful and practical guide to reconnecting with nature through the practice of natural history. Through a series of brief, intimate stories from the Alaskan Arctic to the Amazon, Fleischner reveals how both easy and meaningful it is to deepen our connection with the land and its creatures. Readers are invited to learn how to look closely, see clearly, and feel deeply the living world around them, while recognizing the vital link between our well—being and the health of the Earth. A naturalist and conservation biologist, Thomas Fleischner is a leading voice advocating for the importance and rejuvenation of natural history.

Saturday, May 23, 6pm at Village Books in Fairhaven Thomas Lowe Fleischner

Did you know that you can access the Chuckanut Reader on the go? Visit the VillageBooks.com home page and click on the link. Once there, you can peruse past issues as well!

Village Books 2026

Extraordinary Educators

Village Books and Paper Dreams is excited for the return of the Extraordinary Educator Awards!

Nominated by their students, three kindergarten–grade 12 Whatcom County educators will be randomly selected to win the award along with a variety of gifts for themselves and their classrooms.

Be sure to stop by the store to nominate your teacher, or visit villagebooks.com to nominate online before April 17.

The winners will be announced prior to Teacher Appreciation Week and celebrated during an event on Sunday, May 3rd at 6pm in the Fairhaven Readings Gallery.

Nominations Open Through April 17!

Teacher Appreciation Week • May 4-8, 2026

Dopamine Kids :

Picky:

How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History by Helen Zoe Veit available now, hardcover, St. Martins Press

Are children naturally picky? It sure seems that way. Yet, well into the 20th century, Americans saw children as joyful omnivores who were naturally curious and eager to eat. So how did modern kids become such incredibly narrow eaters? Picky shows how fussy eating came to define "children’s food" and reshape American diets at large. Maybe most importantly, it explains how we can still use the tools that parents used in the past to raise happy, healthy, wildly un-picky kids today.

Renée Watson

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods by Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD available in March, hardcover, Avid Reader Press Dopamine Kids is a five-step operating manual that is tailored for parents and their children. After rediscovering what’s most important for your family, you’ll learn how to create successful boundaries around screens and ultraprocessed foods; replace screen time with equally enticing activities; remove triggers that pull children toward screens and junk food; and, finally, celebrate your family’s choices before, during, and after trying new hobbies. These five steps weaken the neurological pathways established by devices and make dopamine work in your favor to get kids to want to pursue high-quality activities.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes

YOUNG READERS Their Families & Educators

Picture Books

Bellingham Author & Artist! The

Upside Down Girl

by Keith Negley

available in May, hardcover, Clarion Books

From the acclaimed creator of Mary Wears What She Wants and Tough Guys

(Have Feelings Too) comes a silly and sly investigation of what happens when one girl dares to do her own thing. This cheeky, charming tale about seeing things from a different perspective is perfect for readers who march to their own kazoo. Perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett!

Rumpelstiltskin

retold by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Carson Ellis available now, hardcover, Orchard Books

In this follow-up to the highly acclaimed The Three Billy Goats Gruff, comes the second brilliant fairy tale retelling from bestselling and Caldecott Award-winning creators Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis.With Barnett's signature pacing and wit, his subversive storytelling style and narrative voice, and Ellis's stunning folk-art style, this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin will introduce the classic story of this fiendish trickster to a whole new generation of readers!

Everything is Music

by Miran Park

available in April, hardcover, Blue Dot Kids Press Whizz, whoosh, whirr! Follow a girl and her dog on a journey along city streets and nature trails as they learn that there’s music all around in everyday sounds—a symphony waiting to be heard. Camouflaged in the artwork are nine instruments and numerous musical notations.Pops of color highlight the unexpected moments, creatures, and places where music hides in plain sight.

Bartleby

by Matt Phelan

available in March, hardcover, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

From New York Times bestelling and award-winning creator Matt Phelan, Bartleby is a whimsical yet powerful picture book that follows a dapper polar bear who learns the power of staying true to himself. This endearing, adorable, and humorous celebration of being yourself even when you stand out is sure to delight readers everywhere.

Good Night, Escargot

by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Sydney Hanson available in April, hardcover, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Escargot is hosting a pajama party and everyone is invited! There is only one rule: Don't fall asleep! As the night goes on and Escargot grows tired, he struggles to stay awake. Luckily, he has lots of ideas to keep his eyes from closing. But will the call of Escargot's comfy bed win out in the end? This laugh-out-loud bedtime story is the latest in bestselling Escargot series—a staff favorite!

Gunnar the Viking's Great Pizza Adventure

by Diego Vaisberg available in April, hardcover, Sourcebooks

In a rugged northern village, there lived a brave Viking warrior named Gunnar. But Gunnar had a secret: He felt something was missing from his life. His decision to try something new teaches kids the valuable lesson that it's okay to step outside your comfort zone and explore new interests—because that could lead to new passions! A 'Cook Your Own Viking Pizza!' recipe awaits readers at the end of the story!

Picture Books

The God of Sleep

by Lev Grossman, illustrated by Huynh Kim Liên available in March, hardcover, Alvina Ling Books

In this rhyming bedtime book, the god of sun is winding down and preparing for nightfall. But her successor, the god of sleep, is missing! To bring a sound slumber to the world, the sun god journeys to find that elusive, restful god, and meets all sorts of clever characters along the way. This charming and gorgeously illustrated book is the perfect read-aloud for putting little ones to bed.

The Dream Factory

by Steph Matuku, illustrated by Zak Atea available in April, hardcover, Tate Publishing

An amazing building rises on the edge of town—it’s the dream factory. Every night, it sends out magical mist. Flying cars, flower cakes, and talking tigers fill the people’s dreams. And the next day the people make those dreams come true. But when a kereru bird flies into the dream factory and a feather floats into a cog, everything goes terribly wrong. Written by a Maori author, this is a moving, vibrantly illustrated tale of community and the dreams that power creativity.

Wildspeak

by Sangma Francis, illustrated by Lexi Vangsnes available in April, hardcover, Sourcebooks

In the wide, wide world with its wide, wide skies, there are wild, wild words waiting to be spoken. Perfect as an inspiration before, during, or after a walk, Wildspeak invites readers into the wide possibilities of the natural world, and the wild landscapes of their own imaginations!

The Art of How Dogs Sleep

by Alison Kim

available in April, hardcover, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Discover the hilarious ways dogs sleep in this playful and irresistible debut picture book! Dogs can fall asleep at any time: right after breakfast, in the afternoon, or in the evening. But how do they do it? Let’s pay attention closely, as there are quite a few details to observe, such as finding and preparing the perfect spot, stretching each toe bean eeeextra wide, and breathing long and slow. Subtly inviting the reader to slow down and be mindful, this charming picture book invites you, too, to curl up, close your eyes, and drift off to sleep.

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Biggs available in April, hardcover, Clarion Books

A boastful whale and a showboating otter compete in a battle of words to prove that each is the greatest animal ever to swim the seas. Readers will laugh aloud at the silly antics of this pair of opinionated sea mammals in a tale that presents one side of a debate when read front-to-back and the other side when read back-to-front, slyly revealing the way identical facts can be used to support opposite positions.

B Is For Bibliophile

by O.E. Zelmanovich, illustrated by Lauren Simkin Berke available in April, hardcover, Enchanted Lion

This is a book to be celebrated by both readers big and small! A brilliant compendium of book-cabulary. –Kendra Join us in the kids' section of our Fairhaven location every Tuesday at 11am for a half hour of stories, songs, and movement!

Fire Fighters! Friendly Dogs! Dinosaurs, Music, and a Princess! See page 37 for a line-up of the fun and varied story times taking place at our Lynden

What Does Bunny See?: A Book of Colors and Flowers

by Linda Sue Park,

illustrated by Maggie Smith available now, board book, Clarion Books

Spring is in full bloom in this colorful board book full of discoveries by Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Linda Sue Park.

Twelve Days of Spring

by Sherri Maret and Thomas Hilley available now, hardcover, Muddy Books

Washington Author! The illustrations in this adorable book perfectly capture the feeling of our local forests and parks in the spring! You’ll be able to observe the animals and nature on each page as the story eases into springtime. –Kendra

It's Spring!

by Renée Kurilla available now, hardcover, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Bulbs are blooming, robins sing. Nature’s waking up—it’s spring! This bright, rhyming follow-up to It’s Fall! and It's Winter! by a #1 New York Times bestselling artist is the perfect way to celebrate all the joy this happy season has to offer.

A Fluffle of Bunnies

Christie Matheson available now, hardcover, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

A rabbit has disappeared on a fresh spring day . . . Now a scurry of squirrels is worried— did the charm of goldfinches see where the rabbit went? Does the ballet of swans, or the bale of turtles have a clue? Could the parcel of deer or the kaleidoscope of butterflies possibly help? Luckily, a sleuth of bears comes along to help to reveal this mystery’s delightful springtime answer! Join the animals and follow the clues in this rollicking, rhyming, nature-inspired story full of fun collective nouns!

Into the Wilderness

by Haven Iverson, illustrated by August Zhang available in March, hardcover, Roaring Brook Press

Into the Wilderness is a celebration of the outdoors and the lessons and strengths we gain from spending valuable time in nature. It is perfect for fans of Hike and Wonder Walkers, and fans of national parks!

Welcome Spring!

My Little Chick

by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jess Bircham available now, board book, Little Simon Cozy up with your little chick and share this sweet, rhyming board book that’s perfect for springtime snuggles! A great gift for new babies, this adorable board book with a padded cover is a charming treasure to share with your little chick!

Welcome, Spring!

by Apryl Stott available now, hardcover, Beach Lane Books

On the first beautiful morning of spring, Bunny goes on a walk. She encounters Little Cow and Little Pig and asks, “How do you welcome spring?” Her friends share that they welcome spring by making flower crowns and ask her to join them. As Bunny continues on, she meets new friends and joins in their different activities like dancing in puddles, eating strawberries, and making sailboats. Her friends finally ask, “How do you welcome spring, Bunny?” And she answers her favorite way to welcome spring is by playing with all her friends!

How to Become a Butterfly

by Stepanka Sekaninova, illustrated by Linh Dao available in April, hardcover, Albatros Media

Discover the magical journey from tiny caterpillar to brilliant butterfly in this heartwarming and educational picture book! I love how this book combines story and informative text. The cute and colorful illustrations help any bug-ewer turn into a bug-ooher. I recommend this fun book to educators and families! –Kendra

Wonder in the Garden

by Talia Aikens-Nuñez, illustrated by Irena Freitas available in March, hardcover, Penguin Young Readers Group Nina loves spending time in her family’s garden, and so does her dog, Nube. They delight in all the wonders found growing there and all the spectacular colors—roja, naranja, verde, amarillo, morado. Exuberant text sprinkled with Spanish and vivid, energetic art that captures the garden in all its glory make this the perfect book for celebrating the bounty of our gardens and the joy of spending a day there, learning, laughing, and lending a helping hand!

Climbing

Poetry

The Very Hungry Caterpillar's First Poems

by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Eric Carle available now, board book, World of Eric Carle

This tender collection of first poems invites young readers into the world of poetry. Featuring Eric Carle’s beloved artwork and twelve original poems by award-winning poet Charles Ghigna (Father Goose), this keepsake casebound board book is perfect for little ones and their families to read and enjoy together.

by Amy Lowell, illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi available in March, hardcover, Chronicle

In this poem, a speaker climbs an apple tree toward a distant, sparkling town, symbolizing resilience. Beautiful illustrations bring the metaphorical journey to life for young readers.

Activities

Puzzletopia : 100 Perfectly Puzzling Adventures!

Poems for Every Season :

A Year of Haiku, Sonnets,

and More

by Bette Westera, illustrated by Henriette Boerendans translated by David Colmer available now,hardcover, Eerdmans

The perfect book for introducing young readers to poetry and its forms, Poems for Every Season features a comprehensive study of verse forms. From haiku and rondel to limerick, sonnet, and more, this book covers all major poetic forms with more information on each featured verse form in the final pages.

Over 100 Brain Games Inside by Workman Publishing available in May, paperback, Workman Kids Embark on a perfectly puzzling journey full of over 100 brain twisters that strengthen problem-solving skills, increase concentration and attention span, and enhance memory and processing—all while having fun with puzzles! And as kids' skills get better, more challenging puzzles await them: divided evenly into sections that reflect three levels of complexity, this book is perfect for puzzle beginners and for super solvers alike.

A Roll of The Dice :

Enchanted Forest by Lauren De Graaf available in March, hardcover, Magic Cat

Roll the dice to discover a new adventure every time in this new storytelling series! One day, a little elf called Briar Luck begins a perilous quest . . . Roll the dice to discover where she lives and what's been stolen from the elves, then keep rolling to go on an exciting adventure to get it back. From what mode of transport Briar Luck takes to who the villain is, and how they're defeated, kids will love rolling their dice to move the story forwards.

CAPY–The Adventurous Capybara : A Color-YourOwn-Story Book

Guilherme Karsten available in May, paperback, Harper Collins

Capy, a friendly capybara, is about to have a wonderful adventure. There will be new friends, scooter rides, and many more surprises along the way, but it’s your turn to tell this story. Fill this Capy's world with color and write the story of this adventure all by yourself.

New Chapter Book Series

Once Upon a Tail #01: A Horse and Dragon Graphic Novel

by Audrey Perrott, illustrated by Charlene Chua available in April, hardcover, Abrams Fanfare

Full of heart and humor, this early reader graphic novel series stars two best friends in a fantastical medieval setting. Wallace is a knightly horse who loves rules. Poppy is a free-spirit dragon who loves adventure. These two unlikely pals disagree on most everything—but still manage to have a lot of fun-filled shenanigans together in the Land of La-Dee-Dah.

Spring Celebrations

My First Passover

by Karen Katz

available now, hardcover, Godwin Books Hurray! Hurray! It’s time for our Passover dinner. From lighting a candle and reciting Kiddush, to singing dayenu, this beautiful portrait of Jewish heritage is filled with joy. With bright illustrations and simple, yet informative, text there's no better way introduce little ones to this special holiday as they follow along as one family celebrates Passover with matzo, singing, and prayer.

Passover - April 1- 9, 2026

Upside-Down Iftar

by Maysa Odeh, illustrated by Nadine Issa available now, hardcover, Henry Holt and Co. Come celebrate Ramadan with Malak and her family in this delicious picture book! Malak can’t wait to help her grandmother make iftar for their family. Packed with warm, vibrant illustrations and the beautiful chaos of a bustling kitchen, Upside Down Iftar is a heartwarming celebration of family, food, and culture.

Ramadan - Celebrate until March 19, 2026

There's a Bunny in Your Book

by Tom Fletcher

available now, hardcover, Random House Books for Young Readers

Uh oh! There's a hungry bunny in your book!

Help her find a snack in this interactive Easter adventure from one of the UK's most popular children's author and creator of There's a Monster in Your Book. This fun tale is perfect for little ones learning to share.

Easter - April 5, 2026

What's in That Egg?:

An Easter Surprise Pop-Up

Book

by Priddy Books available now, board book, Macmillan Toddlers will love this egg-citing Easter board book with a silly surprise inside every pop-up egg.

LEGO Books :

Easter Build and Play Box

by AMEET Publishing available now, paperback, Simon & Schuster

Celebrate Nowruz!:

A Persian New Year Holiday to Honor Spring by Zohreh Ghahremani, illustrated by Susie Ghahremani available now, hardcover, Godwin Books

Celebrate Mother Nature's birthday in this sweet book about one family's Nowruz traditions! Celebrated for over 3000 years by millions of people from all over the globe, Nowruz—which means “new day” in Persian—is a celebration of springtime and community that readers will be excited join in on.

Ramadan for Everyone :

A Muslim Community Story by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh available now, hardcover, Christy Ottaviano Books

Nowruz - March 20, 2026

Ramadan is here! And this year, Habeeba is finally going to fast all day, every day, and pray all the special Ramadan prayers at night at the masjid, just like her older sister, Sumaya. The holy month is filled with decorations, beading, crafts, delicious recipes, religious ceremonies—it's so hard to wait! Beautifully illustrated with cozy Ramadan decorations throughout, this story delivers the comforting message that selflessness and patience—not perfection—are the most valuable treasures.

Penguin and Pup:

The

Perfect Egg

by Hazel Gardner, illustrated by Nikki Dyson available now, paperback, Macmillan Children's Books

Like lots of friends, Penguin and Pup like VERY different things. Especially when it comes to Easter. All Penguin wants is a perfectly sized chocolate egg to enjoy in the garden. Pup, on the other hand, is thinking: why stop there? What about a ROCKET EGG, or an EGGSHELL PIRATE SHIP? It's a recipe for disaster, and LOTS of laughter. Whether you are more Penguin, or more Pup, come along and let the giggling begin!

Have a super-fun Easter with this egg-citing LEGO kit that includes an activity book, 50+ stickers, a play scene, and everything you need to build three exclusive LEGO models! Break open the box and follow the prompts to build three exclusive characters—a colorful Easter egg, a hopping bunny, and a yellow chick. Then use the brick boosts included in the book to create new builds with the included LEGO elements. Help the characters tackle mazes, puzzles, and other activities while reading about their adventures in the funny comics.

March is WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

The

Women Who Won the Vote : 5-Minute Genius Stories by Emma Roberts

illustrated by Seobhan Hope available now, hardcover, Union Square Kids They organized. They marched. They fought. And they endured so that all woman could get the vote. Discover the stories of history’s most inspiring people in this exciting, STEM-based biography series, perfect for fans of 5 Minute story collections and the Little People, Big Dreams series. Go behind the scenes for an up-close look at the women who, together, changed the world. Ages 6 to 9.

The Girl Who Changed Little League : The True Story of Maria Pepe and Her Battle to Play Ball by Maria Pepe, Jean L. S. Patrick, illustrated by Sarah Green available in March, hardcover, Christy Ottaviano Books

Discover the true story of Maria Pepe, an 11-year-old girl who changed the course of Little League history. Highlighting resilience and bravery in the face of opposition, this powerful story details the true events that led to girls being able to play Little League—all told from Maria’s first-person perspective as a young athlete. Ages 6-9.

Fantastically Great Women Series

Change Is In the Air:

The Hidden Discoveries of Eunice Newton Foote, the First Climate Scientist by Rebecca Donnelly, illustrated by Mercè López available now, hardcover, Henry Holt and Co.

In an era when few women practiced science, Eunice Newton Foote dared to search for answers to a mystery that no one else had solved.A visionary scientist, suffragist, and mother, Eunice conducted a groundbreaking experiment that uncovered the first clues about global warming. Defying the limitations society placed on her, she boldly pursued her hypothesis, paving the way for our modern understanding of climate change. Ages 4-8.

From the Fields to the Fight

: How Jessica Govea Thorbourne Organized for Justice by Angela Quezada Padron, illustrated by Sol Salinas available in March, hardcover, Atheneum Books for Young Readers

A timely and inspiring picture book biography of Jessica Govea Thorbourne, a Latina labor activist who worked alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta to bring attention to the plight of migrant farmworkers. Ages 4-8.

How will you change the world? Explore how Fantastically Great Women used their talents, followed their dreams and refused to take ‘no’ for an answer. by Kate Pankhurst available now, paperback, Bloomsbury Children's Books Ages 5-10 years.

Fantastically Great Women

• Who Changed The World

Celebrating 10 years of the genre-defining classic—with new bonus content!

Fantastically Great Women

• Who Worked Wonders

Discover 13 true stories of pioneering women who changed the working world.

Fantastically Great Women

• Who Made History

Discover 14 true stories of fearless women who left a lasting legacy.

Fantastically Great Women

• Who Saved the Planet

Discover 13 true stories of visionary women who fought to protect our planet.

A Greater Goal : The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women's Soccer-and Beyond by Elizabeth Rusch available in May, paperback, Greenwillow Books

More than 250 women have played on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, and most contributed to the battle for equal pay. This narrative nonfiction book by the award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Rusch includes player profiles and vignettes framed from team member perspectives. It traces the evolution of that fight, bringing this important rights issue in sports and in our culture to the attention of young readers. 14 years and up.

Celebrate MOM!

Hide-and-Seek Mommy: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Marta Altés

available in March, board book, Abrams Appleseed

Charming, funny, and incredibly relatable, Hide-and-Seek Mommy is a vibrant peekaboo board book with flaps, perfect for little seekers. Featuring different mommies looking to take a breather from their rambunctious little ones, lift the sturdy flaps to reveal where each mommy is hiding. In the final scene, all the mommies have gotten together, and guess who’s hiding now?! Young readers will love spotting all the kids’ funny hiding places.

Mama Hug

by Emma Straub, illustrated by Stevie Lewis available in April, board book, Rocky Pond Books

Mama cuddle, Mama swing. Mama dance, Mama sing. Join this lovable Mama and baby for a joyful day of fun and snuggles. Bestselling author Emma Straub has created an irresistible rhyming text, and Stevie Lewis’s bright and adorable illustrations are the perfect match. This is a book that mothers will delight in reading to their little ones again and again.

New Board Books

Toddler

Talk : Muddy

Farm!

by Carolina Búzio illustrated by Nosy Crow Ltd available now, board book, Hachette Book Group

Get ready for a trip to the farm! These books are designed to be fun to read aloud, while supporting an important stage of language development. Features a free "Stories Aloud" audiobook—just scan the QR code on the cover and follow along!

McToad Mows Tiny Island

by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by John Hendrix available in May, board book, Abrams Appleseed

Mother's Day - May 10, 2026

It's a Mom!

by Abby Cooper illustrated by Eliana Gutiérrez available in March, hardcover, Charlesbridge Babies everywhere need this how-to guide in order to know just how to love and care for their new mom! New moms are a lot of work. When do they eat? Sleep? Play? Having a mom is a major responsibility, but little babies have been preparing for this since they were the size of an avocado. If anyone can take good care of a mom, it’s a baby! With playful humor and wildly relatable motherhood moments, this how-to picture book flips the script.

Flowers for Mama

by Deborah Freedman available in March, hardcover, Viking Books for Young Readers

For Mama’s special day, the kittens decide to gift her all sorts of flowers. Some are drawn and stamped, others stitched and sung. Oleander, though, plants a seed in hopes of gifting her a real flower. But as Mama’s special day approaches, Oleander's flower still hasn’t blossomed. Will he have a gift in time? Flowers for Mama shows us many ways art can be made and how, with a little patience and a lot of love, very different flowers can all come together to form a whole garden. This heartwarming picture book is perfect for Mother’s Day!

H Is for Hiking

by Greg Paprocki available now, boardbook, Gibbs Smith

Learn with your toddler from A to Z all about hiking adventures and the outdoor world. Toddlers will see what time spent on a trail will bring! Sights, animals and hiking preparedness. I love all of Paprocki’s playful BabyLit board books with their retro illustrations and humor. –Kendra

McToad likes Thursdays. Why? Because on every other day of the week, McToad mows Big Island, but on Thursdays, McToad mows Tiny Island. This sly toad takes every mode of transportation imaginable to mow the tiniest lawn on earth—he puts his mower on the back of a truck, which drives to a train, which goes to a helicopter, which flies to a boat, which uses a crane to put the lawn mower onto Tiny Island.This new board book romp is a vehicle lover's treat!

New Non-Fiction

Nature's Dance : The Captivating Choreography of Birds, Fish & Insects

by Núria Solsona available in March, hardcover, Prestel Junior

Perfect for curious readers and keen observers, this is a celebration of movement, cooperation, and the profound intelligence of the natural world—a reminder that even the smallest creature plays a part in nature’s grand and intricate choreography. Filled with luminous and captivating illustrations, this fascinating book introduces young readers to the astonishing ways animals travel, communicate, and survive together.

Bing's Cherries

by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Julia Kuo available in March, hardcover, Knopf Books for Young Readers

Long ago, Ah Bing travelled across the sea from China looking for work. It was in Oregon where he met a man who hired him to work in his orchards, where eventually, Bing cultivated the delicious cherries we know of today. Enjoy this modern American tall tale woven by a girl and her father about Ah Bing, the Chinese immigrant behind the Pacific Northwest’s most delicious cherries.

Bugs: A Peek-Through Board Book

Britta Teckentrup available in April, board book, Random House Children's Books

A new addition to one of my favorite nonfiction board book series and about one of my favorite subject, BUGS! Families will get a good look through the peek-through holes to see new bugs appear! You can spot them chomping, creeping, and flying while learning about their habitats. Please check out Teckentrup’s other peek-through books: Bee, Tree, Ocean, Moon & more! –Kendra

When Beavers Move In

Alison Pearce Stevens, Illustrated by Natasha Donovan available in March, hardcover, Godwin Books Bellingham Illustrator!

Beavers topple trees and build dams, but they also cause floods and disrupt neighborhoods. So what do we do when beavers move in? We call the Tulalip tribes and they send biologists to help relocate our furry friends to somewhere far from people where they can be free.

Why Space Will Freak You Out : The Scariest, Strangest Parts of the Universe

by Kimberly K. Arcand & Megan Watzke, illustrated by Robert Ball available now, paperback, Sourcebooks Explore In this photo-illustrated outer space book by two NASA scientists, kids will learn about the scary, creepy, horrific parts of the universe. From rotten-egg moons to zombie planets to spaghettification to real-life death stars, they’ll find out just how crazy space truly is. Open this book if you want to be freaked out just a tad . . . And make sure to read with the lights on!

Woodlore : Discover the Seasons and Stories of the Forest

by Kevin Parr, illustrated by Anja Sušanj available in March, hardcover, Magic Cat

Discover the seasons and stories of the forest in this beautifully illustrated journey through a woodland year. Woodlore invites young readers to walk among the trees and watch nature’s cycles unfold as time-honored tales and traditions mark the turning of the seasons.

We the People Is All the People : A Picture Book

by Howard W. Reeves, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh available in April, hardcover, Abrams Books for Young Readers

Who are the “we the people” mentioned in the preamble to the U.S. Constitution? They are our neighbors next door, down the street, or across the country. They live in different places, worship in different ways, come from different backgrounds and histories. They struggle, achieve, and overcome. They are you, and me, and us. Because, as we strive to create a more perfect union, “we” should mean “all.”

Fight to Win!: Heroes of American Labor

by Kim Kelly

available in May, paperback, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

The revelatory history of the American labor movement, from independent journalist and Teen Vogue labor columnist Kim Kelly, now in a “rousing…passionate” (Kirkus Reviews) young readers edition. The history of American labor is full of incredible leaders, organizers, and workers, but not all of them have gotten the recognition they deserve. With blood, sweat, and tears, they fought to win the rights we hold so dear today. Their voices reveal the true history of American labor.

Fun for the Whole Family

TOM CRESTODINA

Thursday, March 19, 6pm

Village Books in Fairhaven

Working Boats: Safety, Salvage, and Rescue

Join us as we welcome Tom Crestodina as he shares the latest installments of his Working Boats books: Working Boats: Safety, Salvage and Rescue and Working Boats: Salmon Troller.

Perfect for kids and their adults curious about the mechanics of boats and the lives of people who work on them, Crestodina's eagerly anticipated follow up to Working Boats looks at the brave watercraft who ensure the safety and rescue of people at sea, and even those who safely salvage shipwrecks for valuable parts and cargo. Featuring exploded views of 8 brave working boats built to save lives, save ships, and raise wrecks, this stunning picture book dives deep into the everyday lives of those assisting with daring rescues at sea and the dangers they face every day. In addition, his richly illustrated new die-cut board book, Working Boats: Salmon Troller, brings the world of working boats to life through the story of Plucky the Salmon Troller—perfect for curious toddlers and preschoolers!

Bellingham resident Tom Crestodina has been working as a fisherman in Alaska for over 20 years and studied marine en gineering at the Seattle Maritime Academy. After his first child was born, he began making cutaway drawings of the vessels he was working on as a way to connect with his child while he was at sea. He now documents the maritime trades in his art, and his work is carried in shops and galleries along the Pacific coast.

Rae Rose

Saturday, April 4, 6pm

The Sacred Stone Camp

A stunning account of the Sacred Stone Camp’s first day, where Indigenous activist LaDonna BraveBull Allard gathered water protectors to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline—a beautiful blend of community action and the bond between an elder and grandchild.. Rae Rose is an Indigenous and Asian writer born and raised in the Coast Salish Territory of Washington state.

Sunday, May 17, 6pm

Kate Schuman

Desert Rose

Join us as we welcome local author and award-winning singer and songwriter Kate Schuman to discuss and perform music from her new picture book, Desert Rose! This tale is an exhilarating example, in song format, of the old saying, "Never judge a book by its cover." A young cowgirl selects a new horse and gets a ride she and half the town will never forget!

Schuman drew from her experience as a once-upon-a-time owner of a lively horse, and a song was born. A QR code in the book links to a recorded-live version of the song Desert Rose.

Visits!

In Lynden Saturday, March 14, 2pm

Saturday, March 14, 2pm KIDS! in LYNDEN FREE to attend LIZ DYKSTRA –Dolores Daffodil 9798218614669 - see second event for details

Dolores Daffodil is an enchanting tale that beautifully illustrates the transformative power of acceptance when we face challenges beyond our control. Through her journey, Dolores, a once-sorrowful daffodil, learns that small acts of kindness can illuminate her path and ignite hope within her heart. Designed for readers aged 5 to 99, Dolores Daffodil conveys a poignant message: every living being has purpose and significance, regardless of the stage of life they are in.

In Fairhaven Tuesday, March 24, 11am

Village Books in Fairhaven

Join us in welcoming local author Mac Bell as he presents the first installment of his brand new Adventure Ace series where Ace crash lands his supersonic jet into a strange valley full of wonder and slithering danger. Follow the young hero as he journeys through a forest of giant mushrooms and comes face to face with giant, fanged monsters! Fueled by his lifelong love for storytelling, and inspired by his fondness of classic cartoons, this new series was created out of Mac's desire to inspire children to have their own imaginary adventures.

TO ATTEND Register to save your seats at villagebooks.com

Adventure Series

presents the Thursday, May 14, 6 pm

Avery McShane Series

Join us for an evening of adventure as G. Leigh Lyons shares his middle grade action adventure series! Each exciting fast-paced story is told through the eyes of Avery McShane, a young American ex-pat living in the jungles of Venezuela on a camp run by an oil company with his family. Avery, his dog and best mates, Todd and Billy, get up to all kinds of mischief and danger in this don'tmiss series.

Sunday, May 17, 6pm

Author G. Leigh Lyons grew up in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Iran and worked in many foreign countries, including Bolivia, Argentina and Mexico. He drew from these experiences and adventures for his Avery McShane stories. Leigh is also the author of Achilles Wept and The Pirates of Xingu. Join us!

Middle Grade Titles To Be Excited About

A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic

: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm by Phillip C Stead

available in April, hardcover, Neal Porter Books

Caldecott winner Phillip C. Stead's debut middle grade novel reads like a Discworld-ian installation, full of uncanny places, wacky characters—most of whom are goats—and a topsy-turvy timeline, i.e. it's told completely out of order. Utterly delightful and mighty sophisticated, this story challenges western ideals about how a story ought to be told.

–Grace

Red River Rose

by Carole Lindstrom

available in March, hardcover, Bloomsbury Children's Books

Set amid the Northwest Resistance of 1885, this adventurous historical novel offers readers a dramatic portrayal of a young Métis girl who takes a stand to protect her way of life. Rose, her family, and the Métis people have lived on the land for generations. When she learns that the government wants to push the Métis off their land again, Rose feels angry. This is the home they love—and the land they tend to with care and respect. Determined to help, Rose sets out on an adventure that will test her bravery more than she ever expected.

Guardians:

Forbidden

Mountain by Brandon Mull

available in April, hardcover, Labyrinth Road

Choose your guardian. Choose your destiny. A new epic fantasy from the #1 bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series comes an epic new fantasy set in a world where children bond with a spiritual guide—some promising greatness and glory, while others, destruction and death. This deluxe hardcover edition features exquisitely designed sprayed edges complete with gold swords!

When You're Brave Enough

by Rebecca Bendheim available in April, hardcover, Viking Books for Young Readers

A heartfelt, gorgeously written debut middle grade novel about best friends, first crushes, and coming out. Thirteen-year-old Lacey moves to a new town and navigates a new school's musical, her first crush (which might be a girl), and her evolving friendship with her best friend back home, all while exploring her Jewish identity and preparing for her bat mitzvah. Can Lacey be brave enough to be who she really is?

Mythspeaker

by Christopher Roubique available now, hardcover, Penguin Young Readers Group

Living atop an enormous World Turtle, young Kyta uses the knowledge of stories he has studied his whole life in order to fulfill his destiny and save the only known World Turtle egg from the invaders who stole it. A great pick for fans of the Percy Jackson series, this book explores a mythology heavily inspired by Indigenous American folklore. –Kellen

The Blue Dress

by Rebecca Morrison

available in March, hardcover, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Sometimes Yasmin doesn’t feel at home in her body. It’s not just because puberty has mounted a full-on alien invasion, or that emigrating from Iran a year and a half ago has meant one change after another. It’s also because her mother constantly pushes her to lose weight, like sewing Yasmin a beautiful blue dress for Persian New Year that is too tight on purpose.

From debut author Rebecca Morrison comes a heart-rending, humorous, and ultimately hopeful book inspired by her own life, relatable to anyone who has ever needed to break away from someone else’s vision of how they should look in order to embrace their true self.

We have a fantastic and inspiring collection of STEM activity kits and toys!

Top Notch Titles

Check out our display of 2025-2026 SASQUATCH, OTTER, and YOUNG READERS CHOICE AWARD nominees.

Middle Grade Titles

Olive Oakes and the Haunted Carousel

by Kalynn Bayron

available in April, hardcover, Bloomsbury Children's Books

Bestselling author Kalynn Bayron creates a modern-day kid Nancy Drew in this delightfully spooky middle grade mystery series. Olive Oakes loves a good mystery. Along with her cousin Eli, she is always looking for her next chance to sleuth! When Olive and her family visit a town called Whispering Woods, she uncovers a mystery linked to the traveling circus that comes through the area once a year. With rumors of missing kids and ghost sightings, it’s the perfect opportunity for Olive to investigate! But the people of Whispering Woods are very secretive, and Olive must tread carefully if she hopes to solve the mystery of the haunted carousel.

Phoenix: Book #1 of the Ride On Series

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

available in March, hardcover, Dial Books

Harper’s life has just exploded. Her parents are getting a divorce and now she and her mom are starting over in a cramped house, in a new town, where everything feels unfamiliar, including the riding barn next door. With no warning, a truck dumps a starved and neglected horse right in Harper's yard. She has no idea what to do with a live horse let alone a nearly dead one. But one look at the horse’s huge eyes and his skinny body, and something inside Harper unlocks. She doesn’t know it yet, but this is Harper’s first step—toward new friends, new challenges, new adventures. Toward riding. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is the award-winning and #1 bestselling author of The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words.

Ami Moon and the Galactic Peacekeepers: Book One Graphic Novel

by Frances Lee

available now, paperback, Levine Querido

Ami Moon is a normal human girl who has a huge opportunity ahead of her: she has been chosen as a member of the Galactic Peacekeepers Society, a group that travels around the galaxy, spreading peace among planets. When Ami becomes lost in the galaxy, she must work with her fellow peacekeepers to get home to her Earth-bound mom and dog!

Young Adult Reads

Midnight on the Celestial

by Julia Alexandra

available in March, hardcover, Wednesday Books

This is such a creative, whimsical world that Alexandra has created. There is darkness but there is also so much beauty and wonder. While I briefly wondered if I would be able to connect with the characters, I grew to love them all so much. If you are looking for a unique magic system and a perfect blend of fantasy and family mystery, with a dash of horror, then PLEASE pick up this book!

Here for a Good Time

by Kim Spencer

available in March, hardcover, Tundra Book Group

It is 1990. Morgan has lived all her life in the small fishing town of Prince Rupert in northern British Columbia, being raised by a single dad—a commercial fisherman who works hard and occasionally parties even harder. A new friend introduces her to a wider worldview, including music, movies and books, and becomes a lifeline after an unimaginable tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, Morgan learns hard truths about intergenerational effects of trauma, and as she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, an unexpected development offers a chance of a fresh start, with love and forgiveness at its core.This bestselling Indigenous author of Weird Rules to Follow lives in Vancouver, BC!

Roll for Love

by M. K. England

available in May, paperback, Running Press

Harper Reid's summer is not off to a great start. After the death of her grandpa, she moves across the country, leaving her friends and Dungeons & Dragons group behind. She wasn’t exactly planning to start her senior year on the farm where she spent her childhood summers, but running into Ollie Shifflet— former best friend and first crush—makes things much better. A second-chance queer romance about two reconnected childhood best friends whose in-world D&D characters fall in love.

Heiress of Nowhere

by Stacey Lee

available in March, hardcover, Sarah Barley Books 1918. Orcas Island, Washington. Lucy Nowhere has spent her 18 years working on the vast estate of the eccentric shipbuilder who took her in after she washed ashore in a green canoe as a baby. But she has long wished for a life off the island, and in a matter of days, she is set to leave for college—and, for the first time, choose her own future.Then she finds her employer’s severed head on the beach. When she is unexpectedly named heiress to the estate, she understands the next target is her.

Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted

by Sujin Witherspoon

available in May, hardcover, Union Square & Co.

Two teens compete to win a reality show in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, but the producers frame them as rivals-to-lovers, in this hilarious YA romance—perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Emma Lord—by a Seattle author!

Shards of Silence

by Brian Lee Young available in May, hardcover, HarperCollins

In his first YA novel, award-winning author Brian Lee Young (Diné) bridges the generational divide between a Navajo teen at an elite prep school and his great-grandmother’s experience at a federal boarding school for Indigenous students. The book is an eyeopening call for community healing and a profound coming-of-age story.

Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel

by Jarrett Dapier, illustrated by AJ Dungo available now, paperback, Ten Speed Graphic

A story of censorship, action, love, and hope, Wake Now in the Fire this “thoughtful, personal, and deeply relevant” (Booklist, starred review) graphic novel based on a true story, a group of high schoolers in Chicago work to overturn the system-wide ban of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis.

Young Adult Library Services Association CONNECT DEVELOP GROW

2026 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Winner

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming

Kids Open M ic

Last Mondays from 5-6pm

Ages 18 and Under

Village Books in Fairhaven invites kids 18 and under to share their own stories, poems and essays at our monthly Open Mic just for kids!

Reading in front of a supportive audience is an excellent way to build self-confidence, improve public speaking skills, and foster creative expression. By participating in low-pressure opportunities like the Village Books Open Mic, children can learn to articulate thoughts, overcome fears, and develop empathy in a fun, safe, engaging space.

Pre-registration to read is required and spaces are limited so please email host Seán Dwyer at sean@seandwyerauthor.com to secure a spot!

March 30 • April 27 • May 25 • June 29 at Village Books in Fairhaven

Attention Educators!

Village Books and Paper Dreams appreciates the hardworking and inspiring people who are working with our community's young people on a daily basis. To support you in your endeavors, we have some new and ongoing special resources for educators:

• Bring your class on a field trip to Village Books

Available for preschool through high school. Check out our new menu of field trip options by visiting villagebooks.com / scan the code below.

• Get a discount when you buy local 10% discount to educators on books and supplies purchased for use in the classroom (with registration in our Reader Rewards Program and Teacher Discount Program). Bring your school ID and ask a bookseller to help you sign up.

• Create a wish list for your classroom or library on our website

Add as many books as you like and share the list with your families.

• Sign up for our quaretly Educators and Schools enewsletter

Keep up to date on all the latest happenings and offerings—never miss out!

• Book Talks

Educators and all lovers of children's literature are invited to join us for our regular staff book recommendation gatherings! This new tradition features VB booksellers sharing favorite releases in children's literature. These events are FREE to attend, treats are provided, and a good time is had by all. Note: these book talks are not intended for children.

Watch for the dates of upcoming Book Talks at villagbooks.com.

There is all of this and more, including author visits, annual teacher appreciation, and fundraising opportunities. Visit villagebooks.com/community/educators-schools

Reading Recommendations For Teens By Teens

Y.A.R.C. (yark), n. 1. Young Adult Review Committee.

2. A select group of local teens and young adults reading and writing reviews of brand-spanking-new books.

3. Awesome.

Our YARC members have been busy reading and are excited to share the titles they've recently enjoyed. All of these titles are available now or for pre-order from Village Books and Paper Dreams!

The Darkness Greeted Her

by Christina Ferko

available now, paperback, Sourcebooks Fire Penny went to camp to overcome her trauma. But the therapy camp isn't an ideal healing environment, considering the hallucinations and terrifying monster that plague the girls. I liked how this book shows different ways trauma manifests, including the Harm OCD the main character suffered from. It was informative learning about this disorder, which isn't often talked about, through the main character. –Coco, age 18

The Sun and the Starmaker by

Rachel Griffin

available now, hardcover, Sourcebooks Fire

The Sun and the Starmaker is one of the best romance books I have read. Taking place in a winter realm full of the harmful frost, a young girl named Aurora must become the Starmaker Rising leaving everything she knows behind and unlocking new powers. Little does she know that while she gains power, the current Starmaker looses power that would eventually kill him. This book perfectly incapsulates the winter spirit and is a great read! –Will, age 15

Our Y.A.R.C. program offers teens ages 13-18 the opportunity to read yet-to-be-published books, also known as ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies). In exchange for this privilege, they write reviews for Village Books to use for recommendations to our customers. Y.A.R.C. meets once a month on a Friday afternoon throughout the school year at our Fairhaven store. Interested in joining? Complete the application form at villagebooks.com.

Y . A .R.C.

Enjoy additional reviews on our Y.A.R.C. web page at villagebooks.com and on display at Village Books in Fairhaven!

Every Last Liar by

Kate Francis

available now, paperback, Sourcebooks Fire

Every Last Liar is a refreshing novel unlike anything I have ever read before. When a group of teens haunted by a fire killing two of their classmates is sent to an abandoned motel in the middle of the desert, they find themselves in a situation where only ONE can survive. If you enjoy books like A Good Girls Guide To Murder, this terrifying tale is for you! This book does contain graphic content such as death and survivor's guilt. –Will, age 15

Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean

available now, hardcover, Sarah Barley Books

This book is like a dessert from the Cheesecake Factory—sweet with just the right amount of cheesiness. The romance is endearing but never too predictable, as Emma searches for the boy she is destined to fall in love with. Love Me Tomorrow is perfect for fans of Jenny Han or Ann Liang. –Coco, age 18

Steam Graphic Novel by Shaenon K. Garrity illustrated by Emily Holden available now, hardcover, Margaret K. McElderry Books

Steam was such a cozy read. The plot was easy to follow, the characters fun and engaging, and the whole story was perfect to binge with a cup of tea on a cloudy afternoon. While reading it was hard to put down, so much so that I finished it in one night! It was the perfect cutesy romance I was looking for. –Sydney, age 16

Meet Me Under the Lights

by Cassie Miller

available in March, paperback, Viking Books for Young Readers

Meet Me Under the Lights is a sports romance with a side of theater. Starring Eliza Crowley, the so-called Princess of Fairfield because her dad owns the baseball team the Crowley Cardinals. Reed Fulton, star player of the Hawks baseball team, determined to win against the Crowley Cardinals and finally end the long-time rivalry between the Crowley's and the Fulton's. This book is perfect for fans of Willam Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet or anyone who loves a good romance. I really liked how Eliza and Reed's relationship is portrayed throughout the story. Also, as a Romeo and Juliet and baseball fan I really liked how the story took aspects from both things. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. –Elsa, age 16

What We Did to Survive

by Megan Lally

available in March, paperback, Sourcebooks Fire Fast-paced books can definitely be hit or miss, sometimes I love them but sometimes I feel like they can almost feel rushed. Megan Lally's What We Did to Survive is no different. The main plot centers around Hannah and her best friend Emmy going on a “last hurrah” vacation to Mexico. Things start ramping up when Emmy’s new boyfriend charters a ridiculously nice sailboat for them to spend the day on. Tensions begin to rise when they realize they are sailing straight into a storm. I feel like Lally does an incredibly good job at coming up with crazy and sudden twists. Overall, I would definitely recommend picking it up if you love fast-paced, thrilling books with amazing characters. What We Did to Survive is for you! –Kelandry, age 15

We're a Bad Idea, Right?

by K. L. Walther

available in March, paperback, Delacorte Romance

Audrey is done with rules. So, when an outrageous fake dating scheme is proposed by her best friend Henry, she's all in. We're a Bad Idea, Right? is full of characters that will tug at your heartstrings, and keep you rooting for them until the end. The plot is a perfect mix of romance, character development, and being able to know what rules are meant to be broken and which ones are better left being followed. This is a cozy, emotional read that will leave you wanting more! –Kiona, age 15

The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America

by David Levithan

and Gabriel Duckels

available in April, hardcover, Alfred A Knopf Books for Young Readers

What better way to find out what teens are reading than to go straight to the source?

The Faraway Inn

Sarah Beth Durst

available in March , paperback, Delacorte Press

The Faraway Inn is a fantasy novel with a side of romance! Calisa is staying at her great-aunt’s run-down B&B for the summer. Where she meets Jack the groundskeeper’s son who promises to help her fix up the inn. Along the way Calisa finds that not everything is as it seems, a magical secret is waiting for her. This book is perfect for anyone who loves romance and magic! I really liked the relationship between Calisa and Jack! I also really liked the writing style and how comforting the book felt. –Elsa, age 16

Last Kiss of Summer

by Jessica M. Felleman

available in April, paperback, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers I believe if a book makes you feel any emotion it's better than most, and this book did. This book is a sorrowful tale. I enjoyed reading as we see a romance grow between two young adults with art in their nature, and a storyline that has an impactful ending for them. As the title of this book suggests, this is what I consider to be a summer-time read that will leave you with a memory, and I recommend it to those who want a young adult romance that's not all vivid flowers but the rain that pours down after. –Rose, age 16

Y . A .R.C. Young Adult Review Committee

Non-Fiction

The Fight of Our Lives was a very informative read. It was different than reading about the AIDS crisis in a history book, there was great storytelling while also preserving the firsthand accounts of people impacted by this crisis. I appreciated the amount of sources, timelines and statistics to help give me a better understanding of this history. I think it’s very important that people read this book not only to comprehend our history, but to see how HIV and AIDS affected everyone. –Sydney, age 16

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VB READS

Every week, Village Books sends out an email newsletter packed full of store and book information including our upcoming Literature Live events. Sign up for this newsletter and others in the store or at villagebooks.com today!

Book Groups

Village Books hosts multiple book groups who read and discuss a variety of genres. Flip to page 78 to find a group that works for you! Watch villagebooks.com for meeting times and reading selections. All are welcome!

VB WRITES

Writing Groups

Village Books is excited to host a variety of writing groups —each with a unique focus. Turn to page 24 for a full list and meeting times then see villagebooks.com for descriptions. Be sure to sign up for our Just Write! eNewsletter, a monthly publication highlighting current classes, tips and tricks, writing book reviews and the like!

Writing Workshops & Classes

Village Books and WCC Community & Continuing Education program have created a writing instruction collaboration called Chuckanut Writers to support writers at all stages of their writing journey throughout the year. Turn to page 25 for upcoming classes and go to whatcom.edu for more information, prices, and to register.

Chuckanut Writers

OPEN MICS

Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater Open Mic

Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater

Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater (CSWT) Open Mic is now held at Village Books in Fairhaven on the THIRD TUESDAY of the month at 6pm. Our CSWT emcee is Carla Shafer, who founded Bellingham’s first continuous Open Mic in Bellingham in 1991. Pre-registration to read is encouraged—please email Carla Shafer at chuckanutsandstone@gmail.com to secure your spot!

March 17• April 21• May 19 • June 16

This goup meets the THIRD Tuesdays of the month starting at 6pm.

Open Mic with Seán Dwyer

Last Mondays from 6-7pm

Village Books invites everyone to enjoy local talents as they share their own stories, poems and essays. Published and unpublished writers are encouraged to attend and enjoy a welcoming audience. Our regular emcee and celebrated local author, Seán Dwyer, will host as he does every month. Pre-registration to read is required and spaces are limited so whether you plan to read in person or on Zoom, please email Seán at sean@seandwyerauthor.com to secure your spot!

March 30 • April 27 • May 25 • June 29

KIDS!

KIDS OPEN MIC with Seán Dwyer

Last Mondays from 5-6pm

Village Books in Fairhaven invites kids 18 and under to share their own stories, poems and essays. Our regular emcee and celebrated local author Seán Dwyer will host. Pre-registration to read is required and spaces are limited so please email Seán at sean@seandwyerauthor. com to secure a spot!

March 30 • April 27 • May 25 • June 29

The Village Books Literary Events Program Literature LIVE! EVENTS

Additions and changes to this schedule will occur so check out VillageBooks.com

to stay updated – or even better, let us come to you! Register for the Village Books eNewsletter!

March

Wednesday, March 11, 6pm

JOYCE PARRY-MOORE

–Fill the Room:

An Invitation to Take Up Space

2026

Fill the Room is a lyrical, grounded invitation to reclaim voice—literal and metaphorical—in a world that teaches us to be smaller. Blending story, science, spirituality, and creative practice, Joyce Parry-Moore calls readers into embodiment, liberation, and collective resonance—where sound becomes action and presence becomes change. Joyce Parry-Moore is a writer, voice and life coach, educator, and ordained priest whose work centers voice as a force for healing and liberation.

Saturday, March 14, 2pm in LYNDEN - FREE to Attend LIZ DYKSTRA

KIDS

–Dolores Daffodil

Dolores Daffodil conveys a heartwarming message: every living being has purpose and significance, regardless of the stage of life they are in. With its vibrant watercolor illustrations, readers will be swept away to the stunning landscapes of Skagit Valley, Washington. Filled with insights on the lifecycle of perennial flowers and the process of photosynthesis, Dolores Daffodil serves as an invaluable resource for parents, grandparents, and educators alike. She will also present on Tuesday, March 24, 11am, in Fairhaven!

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI

Saturday, March 14, 2pm

CHARLES LUCKMANN

–Carry the Flame:

The Remarkable Story of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School

In a world where exploration, resilience and compassion have never been more vital, Carry the Flame takes readers on an inspiring journey through the rugged landscapes and transformative experiences that define this iconic institution. Packed with candid and deeply personal stories, rich history, and unforgettable moments, the book provides a rare glimpse into how the school has shaped generations of leaders, adventurers, and changemakers. More than just an essay collection, Carry the Flame serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the power of nature to transform lives.

Unless otherwise noted, events take place at Village Books in Fairhaven and include a book presentation/reading, plus a Q&A.

Registration to save your seat is required for most events. When a $5 fee applies, you will receive a voucher for that amount to use for purchases at the event!

Tickets may be available at the door. Details & registration at VILLAGEBOOKS.COM

Saturday, March 14, 6pm

CHI-MING YANG

–Octavia E. Butler : H is for Horse

Octavia E. Butler: H is for Horse is a speculative biography exploring the childhood genius of the famed black science fiction pioneer Octavia Butler, and how her love of horses inspired her worldmaking. Using her unpublished writings and drawings, author Chi-ming Yang connects Butler’s early fascination with horses to her later themes of human-alien symbiosis, race, and identity. Chi-ming Yang, Professor of English, University of Pennsylvania, specializing in histories of race, empire, and EastWest cultural exchanges.

Sunday, March 15, 2pm

LIZ HAMMOND-KAARREMAA in conversation with Candace Wellman

–The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog

The now-extinct Coast Salish Woolly Dog was bred for thousands of years for its wooly fibers, which were woven into traditional blankets, robes and regalia.The pelt of a dog named “Mutton” languished in a drawer at the Smithsonian for around 150 years until it was discovered by an amateur archivist. This book tells Mutton’s story and explores what it can teach us about Coast Salish Woolly Dogs and their cultural significance. Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa's research and publications focus on Coast Salish textiles. Candace Wellman is the author of Peace Weavers: Uniting the Coast Salish Through Cross-Cultural Marriages, and Interwoven Lives: Indigenous Mothers of Coast Salish Communities. This event is co-sponsored by the Whatcom Museum.

Free Kids Event!

Thursday, March 19, 6pm

TOM CRESTODINA

–Working Boats: Safety, Salvage, and Rescue & –Working Boats: Salmon Troller

Join us as we welcome Tom Crestodina to discuss the latest installments of his incredibly popular Working Boats books! Working Boats: Safety, Salvage and Rescue features exploded views of 8 brave working boats built to save lives, save ships, and raise wrecks, this stunning picture book dives deep into the everyday lives of those assisting with daring rescues at sea and the dangers they face every day. In Working Boats: Salmon Troller— a sturdy board book shaped like a boat—children discover how things work aboard a salmon troller. Don't miss out!

PNW History!

Friday, March 20, 6pm

MARC JAMES CARPENTER

–The War on Illahee : Genocide, Complicity, and Cover-Ups in the Pioneer Northwest

The small, mostly forgotten wars of the 1850s in the American Pacific Northwest were part of a broader often genocidal war—the War on Illahee—to seize Native land for Euro -Americans. Pioneers and their historians clashed over whether to celebrate or isolate these atrocities—and nearly succeed in erasing them. Beyond reshaping the history of the Pacific Northwest, this searing book opens broader conversations about settler colonialism, historical memory, problematic monuments, and the historical profession.

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI

Saturday, March 21, 2pm

NOTE: Location TBD/ Date May Change

KILIII YÜYAN

Sunday, March 22, 4pm

DR. DEBORAH ZUCKER

–The Vitality Journal: 9 Keys to Reclaim Your Health, Increase Resilience, and Cultivate Joyful Self-Care

–Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet Photographer and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan brings to life stories from the Arctic sea ice, beneath the waves, and within the heart of human communities. Guardians of Life takes readers on an extraordinary visual odyssey —from the Amazon rainforest to Greenland's sea ice—revealing Indigenous communities as Earth's most powerful protectors. “A visually dazzling and deeply informative collection that will linger with readers long after the last page." – Kirkus Reviews

Saturday, March 21, 6pm

JIM SCHMOTZER

–Crash Course:

Don’t miss this 60-minute soulful gathering where we’ll celebrate and discuss The Vitality Journal , the official companion to the award-winning, The Vitality Map, with Dr. Deborah Zucker. This is more than a reading, it’s a space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly sustains you. Dr. Deborah Zucker is a compassionate and experienced guide for women navigating life’s most intense transitions. As a naturopathic physician, therapist, and transformational health coach, Dr. Deborah offers transformative women’s circles. The Vitality Journal is your personal space to reflect, experiment, and grow. Designed as a practical, self-guided journey, this journal offers tools, prompts, and exercises to help you uncover what truly sustains you, strengthen resilience, and align your life with your deepest intentions.

KIDS! Free to Attend

Kids!

Tuesday, March 24, 11am STORYTIME with the Author

LIZ DYKSTRA

–Dolores Daffodil

101 Stories, Each 101 Words or Less Crash Course is a surprising collection of short stories looking at the complexities of daily life and relationships from varied perspectives—each story is told in 101 words or less. These stories explore ever-changing human situations and emotions including introspection, tragedy, comedy, relational struggles, familial connections, and a few baseball tales. Also included are stories highlighting the unique pain and grace of the Covid pandemic. Crash Course will appeal to those looking for tales with punch, a hook, a twist, and maybe a surprise ending.

Sunday, March 22, 2pm Poetry

MARIE EATON

–Learning to Bend

Join poet Marie Eaton for a reading and celebration of Learning to Bend, a collection that explores aging, love, loss, and life’s beauty! In Learning to Bend, a collection of tender and lyrical poems contemplating the years that are ‘heavy gifts to carry,’ Marie Eaton explores the challenges and joys of aging, the inevitability of death, and the persistence of love. Marie Eaton’s poems capture images from both natural and the emotional landscapes.

Dolores Daffodil conveys a heartwarming message: every living being has purpose and significance, regardless of the stage of life they are in. With its vibrant watercolor illustrations, readers will be swept away to the stunning landscapes of Skagit Valley. Filled with insights on the lifecycle of perennial flowers and the process of photosynthesis, Dolores Daffodil serves as an invaluable resource for parents, grandparents, and educators alike.

Thursday, March 26, 6pm JANÉE J. BAUGHER

–The Andrew Wyeth Chronicles

Written in the voice of Andrew Wyeth, this ekphrastic project surveys 63 of the artist’s paintings to chronicle his inner life, detachment, and decades of poetic observation. Janée J. Baugher, the author of the only craft book of its kind, The Ekphrastic Writer: Creating Art-Influenced Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction, has been a featured poet at the Library of Congress. She’s a longtime assistant editor at Boulevard magazine (St. Louis) and lives in Seattle where the Office of Arts & Culture awarded her a 2024-2025 City Artist grant to complete her memoir, Suicide in the Mirror. The Andrew Wyeth Chronicles, her third full-length poetry collection, was selected by Shane McCrae for the Dorset Prize.

Unless otherwise noted, events take place at Village Books in Fairhaven 1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225 For additional details, registration information, and to buy the books, see our All Events

Friday, March 27, 6pm Poetry

JEREMY VOIGT

in conversation with Jeffrey Morgan –Something to Carry Home and Not Kill

Literature LIVE!

In Something To Carry Home and Not Kill, poems navigate grief, fatherhood, and fractured family bonds through unflinching observation. From a mother’s death to teaching amid gun violence and political unrest, these works seek beauty in brokenness—finding connection through birds, water, and the reciprocal exchange of being alive. Jeremy Voigt has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, was featured on The Writer’s Almanac, and was runner up for the 2019 Discovery Poetry Prize.

Saturday, March 28, 2pm ROD HAYNES

–Unauthorized Disclosures:

A Navy Memoir of the 1980s

In the winter of 1980, Rod Haynes was broke and all but homeless on the streets of Seattle. Six months later, on a sunny parade field at the Newport Rhode Island Navy Base, the author accepted his commission as an officer in the United States Navy. His remarkable 10-year journey took him around the world including Guantanamo Bay, Italy, Beirut, Israel, and France. This honest, engaging narrative shares Haynes's journey of self-discovery as the Cold War was ending. The book captures the demanding nature of military service while highlighting the resilience and determination required to succeed. You can also join us at Village Books and Paper Dreams in Lynden as we host Rod for a book talk on Saturday, April 11, 2pm.

Saturday, March 28, 6pm

MICHELLE MARYK

in conversation with Matthew Sullivan –The Found Object Society

April

April is National Poetry Month! Enjoy 20% OFF Poetry in April

Saturday, April 4, 2pm

NANCY Y. LEVINE AND RACHEL LEVINE-SPATES

–Light : A Mother and Daughter Memoir of Anorexia

Join us in welcoming Nancy Y. Levine and Rachel Levine-Spates as they tell their powerful story. Light begins with the joy of a young woman running on a sundrenched Australian beach, but ends in a story of obsession, family history and stigma, and life-threatening anorexia. Once called the “sickest of the sick,” Rachel fights to recover. Narrated by her mother Nancy and with excerpts and journal entries from Rachel, this dual POV memoir explores how the deadly inner voice of an eating disorder is heard and finally silenced. Blending tough scenes with humorous ones, this book celebrates hope and lasting recovery.

Saturday, April 4, 4pm Poetry in LYNDEN

KEVIN MURPHY

–The Last Normal Year : Poetry

Attention, all thrill-seekers — get ready to relive a death or two! Looking at Death in a fresh way, The Found Object Society takes readers on an addictive and vivid ride through the deaths of other people. In this debut novel, Greta Davenport receives an invitation to the mysterious titular society, where she can relive other people’s deaths through objects they were holding while they died, Author Michelle Maryk, a former actress, is thrilled for readers to meet her “messy, reckless, turbulent” protagonist. Matthew Sullivan is the author of the acclaimed novel Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore and Midnight in Soap Lake -a multi-layered mystery pitched as “Twin Peaks meets Tana French.”

Tuesday, March 31, 6:30pm at The Hotel Leo Crystal Ballroom THE CHUCKANUT RADIO HOUR featuring KIM FU in conversation with Jane Wong –The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts

From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century comes The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts —an eerie, spellbinding novel of grief and guilt, with a razor-sharp eye for the absurdity and melancholy of the internet age. The Chuckanut Radio Hour is a radio variety show. Each Chuckanut Radio Hour includes guest authors, musicians, performance poet Kevin Murphy, and episodes of “As the Ham Turns” serial radio comedy, performed by the Chuckanut Radio Players.

Just in time for the end of history, The Last Normal Year features new, selected, and previously undetected compositions by celebrated Bellingham poet Kevin Murphy. With nods to the Beats, the bards, the surrealists, and the blues, Murphy's approach is exuberant, comic, and slightly mad.

A Free Kids Event!

Kids!

Saturday April 4, 6pm RAE ROSE

–The Sacred Stone Camp

A stunning account of the Sacred Stone Camp’s first day, where Indigenous activist LaDonna BraveBull Allard gathered water protectors to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. As Water Protectors gather to defend the water and protect the land against a black snake that threatens the rivers that millions of people depend on, a young girl looks to her Unci LaDonna and Lala Miles who are leading the way to the camp. Although she’s nervous about what might happen next, she finds strength from her family and the strangers all coming together to stand up for what’s right. Rae Rose is an Indigenous and Asian writer born and raised in the Coast Salish Territory of Washington state. Written with love by Rae Rose, who shares many memories with LaDonna, this is a deeply moving tribute to LaDonna’s work and impact.

Weekly Storytimes

Fairhaven - Tuesdays, 11am

Lynden - Saturdays, 11am

Wednesday, April 8, 6pm Poetry

Western Washington Poets Network

Anthology Reading and Open Mic Anthologies: –Open Book and –Surviving Interesting Times

Join us for a special poetry reading from the Western Washington Poets Network in celebration of National Poetry Month! The event will feature readings from this year’s anthology, Open Book, as well as last year’s anthology, Surviving Interesting Times. Plus, poets not featured in these anthologies will have an opportunity to share their work in the open mic period following the reading! So, bring your family and friends down to Fairhaven for relaxing night of poetry!

Friday, April 10, 6pm

PAUL BUNGE, MD

–Those Three Years: COVID-19, One Doctor's Journey, and a Prescription for National Healing

Join us in welcoming local author and physician, Dr. Paul Bunge, as he discusses his new book and what the COVID-19 pandemic looked like through the eyes of a doctor! Those Three Years is a compelling COVID-19 memoir from an everyday local physician. In the hospital, the clinic, and the community, Dr. Bunge witnessed heartbreaking losses and remarkable resiliency. He invites readers to reflect on their own grief and loss from the pandemic, offering a path forward.

At Village Books in Lynden Saturday, April 11, 2pm

ROD HAYNES

–Unauthorized Disclosures:

A Navy Memoir of the 1980s

Newport, Rhode Island, Navy base, the author accepted his commission as an officer in the United States Navy. His remarkable ten-year journey took him around the world, including Guantanamo Bay, Italy, Beirut, Israel, and France. This honest, engaging narrative shares Haynes’ journey of self-discovery as the Cold War was ending.” Note: Rod will present at Village Books in Fairhaven on Saturday, March 28 at 2pm.

Saturday, April 11, 4pm

STEPHEN DUCAT

–Hatreds We Love:

The Psychology of Political Tribalism in Post-Truth America

Hatreds We Love speaks to the causes and underlying dynamics of what is now one of the greatest threats to the viability of what remains of American democracy and global democratic governance more broadly: political tribalism. Ingroup loyalty is such a powerful driver of political behavior that people will readily abandon their values, long-held moral principles, and even their lives. This analysis of partisan enmity could not be timelier. “With so many books about Trump, it is refreshing to read one that analyzes the power he has over his followers, especially his ability to tap into an eagerness to form groups that embrace their numerous grievances . . . unusually authentic and well-worth reading.” – Justin A Frank, M.D.,

Thank you for your continued support of Village Books and our Literature Live Events. We couldn't do it without you!

Literature LIVE!

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI Saturday, April 11, 6pm at Sehome High School

TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS in conversation with Brenda Miller

–The Glorians: Visitations from the Holy Ordinary Join Village Books and the North Cascades Institute for another installment of the spring Nature in Writing Speaker Series as we welcome author Terry Tempest Williams to discuss her new book, The Glorians: Visitations form the Holy Ordinary. Read more on page 51.

Sunday, April 12, 4pm Poetry

MICHELLE LATVALA in conversation with Sara Airoldi

–Between Latitudes : Poems

Between Latitudes is rooted in both the practice of forging a life in the boreal forest of Alaska and finding footing in other latitudes. Michelle Latvala provides a gateway into our complex human experience through her vast emotional and poetic range, exploring interior and exterior lives across generations and a changing climate. She is faculty for poet David Whyte’s Institute for Conversational Leadership on Whidbey Island, and founded Insight Outside, which integrates writing and meditation programs in wild places. Michelle migrates thoughtfully between responsibilities in California and Alaska, where she built a cabin at the same latitude her Finnish ancestors inhabited for centuries in the shared circumpolar boreal forest. Sara Airoldi brings 25 years of experience working with staff, youth, and communities to create ecosystems of care grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion here in Bellingham.

Sunday, April 12, 6pm Poetry

BRENDA MILLER in conversation with Dayna Patterson and Elizabeth Vignali –Love You, Bye:

A Daughter’s Journey in Essays and Poems

Join us for a discussion of award-winning writer Brenda Miller’s latest book and writing about caregiving, grief, spirituality, and the joy that can be found at life’s thresholds. This stunning hybrid collection of essays, poems, and photographs is essential reading for anyone navigating the complexities of aging parents, the mysteries of faith, or the simple courage required to keep loving in a world that often breaks our hearts. Brenda Miller's work has received seven Pushcart prizes. She co-authored the textbook Tell it Slant: Creating, Refining, and Publishing Creative Nonfiction, and The Pen and the Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World . She is Professor Emerita of Creative Writing at WWU. Elizabeth Vignali is the author of the poetry collection House of the Silverfish and three chapbooks, the most recent of which is Endangered [Animal] she lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she works as an optician and serves as poetry editor of Sweet Tree Review. Dayna Patterson is the author of O Lady, Speak Again and If Mother Braids a Waterfall .

Monday, April 13, 6pm Poetry

KENADIE LEE

–Handwritten

The poems in Handwritten detail the experience of living a life guided by gratitude, wonder, and love. Framed through the changing seasons, Handwritten explores how human connection, vulnerability, and time spent with nature lead to a life well lived. The poems emphasize the importance of intentionality, gratitude, wonder, and love.“Lee celebrates nature, love, family, and memory in this brief but potent poetry collection.” –Kirkus Reviews

Friday, April 17, 6pm

TJ POORTINGA

–Electric Orange

When psychologist Pieter Verboom has a nervous breakdown on national television, the last thing he expects is to become a populist icon. But when his sarcastic rant is taken literally by America’s fringe, he’s hailed as the architect of a movement he wants nothing to do with. TJ Poortinga writes psychological fiction laced with mystery, satire, and just enough truth to make you howl. Born in Bellingham and raised in Whatcom County, he trained for the clergy, then ghostwrote for a conservative pundit before making a dramatic break from the movement. His work is darkly funny, unexpectedly tender, and pulses with the energy of a fever dream.

Saturday, April 18, 4pm TAMI PARR

–Goats in America : A Cultural History

Dive into the remarkable world of goats with Tami Parr —from yoga to milk, uncover the truth behind these often overlooked animals! Why and how did goats become popular in the US—seemingly for every purpose except meat, their primary role in many other cultures? This is the question Tami Parr sets out to answer in Goats in America. Parr traces the goat’s history in the United States: as a (losing) competitor to the cow meat and dairy industry; an alternative food and milk source in wartime; a herd animal for a variety of Indigenous, immigrant, and back-to-the-land communities; and a rising presence in both urban gardens and social media feeds. Ultimately, the story of goats in America is a story of America: of race and ethnicity, immigration and assimilation, class, media, politics, and the environment. Tami Parr is a developmental editor and author of Artisan Cheese of the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Northwest Cheese: A History.

Sunday, April 19, 11am-4pm BOOKS BY THE BAY

Presented by Village Books and Chanticleer Authors Conference

On Sunday, April 19th from 11am to 4pm, the Chanticleer Authors Conference will host the annual Books by the Bay Book Fair in partnership with Village Books in historic Fairhaven! This free event brings authors from around the world to the artistic heart of Bellingham, giving local readers a chance to discover amazing indie authors! Authors will be tabling all day, and conference attendees and Chanticleer Int'l Book Award prize winners will read at a rolling Open Mic in the Readings Gallery. Come discover today’s best books with us!

Unless otherwise noted, events take place at Village Books in Fairhaven 1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225

Literature LIVE!

Wednesday, April 22, 6pm

KAITLYN TEER

–Little Apocalypses: Essays on Motherhood, Climate Change, and Hope at the End of the World

A thoughtful, evocative, and urgently needed collection that reimagines the stories we tell about motherhood, climate change, and the end of the world as we know it. How do you raise children in a world rapidly being reshaped by climate change? How do our narratives about climate change and care help us or hinder us in our efforts to get it right? Little Apocalypses seeks to explore these urgent questions, helping us navigate the existential predicament of parenting on a planet in crisis.

Thursday, April 23, 6pm

ELIZABETH SCOTT TERVO

–The Sun Does Not Shine Without You: A Memoir of Soviet Georgia

Elizabeth Scott Tervo's memoir is about her time as an exchange student in the country of Georgia on the eve of its freedom from the USSR. Join Elizabeth in a cross-cultural adventure to the mythical land of the Golden Fleece, and its unique culture, language, alphabet, and form of ancient Christianity —at a time when it was captive to an inhumane totalitarian state. With her, discover what it means to be a "human person" instead of a "Soviet person."

Friday, April 24, 6pm

EILEEN GARVIN

–Bumblebee Season : A Novel

From Eileen Garvin, nationally bestselling author of The Music of Bees and Crow Talk, comes a heartwarming new story that returns to the vibrant world of beekeeping in a small Oregon town. A beekeeper, a young migrant worker, and a scientist unite to protect Mount Hood's bees and wilderness from a commercial development. Full of warmth, big-hearted characters, and a celebration of nature in all its complexity, Bumblebee Season reminds us that human connection might just be the most powerful force there is.

Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26

DIRTY DAN MYSTERY WEEKEND

Help solve the crime; collect clue cards from 20+ locations, interact w. suspects and enjoy a weekend in Fairhaven! Watch enjoyfairhaven.com for registration information.

For additional details, registration information, and to buy the books, see our All Events Calendar at villagebooks.com

Keep turning for more events

Saturday, April 25, 4pm

WENDY J. FOX

in conversation with Ted O’Connell

–The Last Supper

Literature LIVE!

The Last Supper follows three months in the chaotic life of Amanda, a middle-aged stay-at-home mother, desperate for something more than the world of her suburban home. After failed attempts at entrepreneurship, and consumed by her failures, her illusory stability collapses when the cracks in her marriage finally split so wide she sees a path to reclaim her own creative and economic agency. Wendy J. Fox is the author of five books of fiction, including What If We Were Somewhere Else, which won the Colorado Book Award. Ted O’Connell is a writer and musician whose creative products have been featured in literary magazines and music halls throughout the country.

Saturday, April 25, 6pm Poetry

PRISCILLA LONG in conversation with Bethany Reid

–Cartographies of Home

"Cartographies of Home is a soulful, erudite, and ultimately playful look at life in flight," says Sandra Beasley, author of Made to Explode: Poems. Musical and intimate, Priscilla Long’s Cartographies of Home opens with poems centered on a rural childhood and travels to the rebellion in America of the 1960s and 1970s, and onto an old age in the Pacific Northwest. Her conversation patner, Bethany Reid is a well-known poet and a fellow winner of MoonPath Press’s Sally Albiso Award.

A Nature of Writing Speaker Series Event presented with NCI Sunday, April 26, 4pm

MARIA MUDD RUTH in conversation with Lyanda Lynn Haupt

–The Bird with Flaming Red Feet : Seasons with an Uncommonly Common Seabird

Note: Additions and changes to this schedule WILL occur so watch our website—or let us come to you. Register for the Village Books weekly eNewsletter!

May

Saturday, May 2, 2pm

JAMES DONALDSON

–Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

James Donaldson, a former NBA All Star, business owner, and community fixture in Seattle for 40 years, tells his story of a harrowing, heart breaking journey of working his way through darkness and depression back to a promising and productive life. James lost it all, his health, life savings, marriage, business, mother, and home—all in just over a year. It almost became too much to bear but he made it through the hard times—you can too!

Wednesday, May 6, 6pm

MARC FRYT

–The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore and Enjoy Your Local Waters

Bridging the gap between field guide and memoir, The Bird with Flaming Red Feet is a lively and heartfelt natural history of the Pigeon Guillemot, a charismatic seabird with a surprising story to tell. A joyful call to observation, stewardship, and a deeper understanding of our coastal world, it invites readers to slow down, look closely, and reconnect with the wild places—and creatures—just outside their door. Maria Mudd Ruth has written more than a dozen books on natural history topics, including volumes on butterflies, beetles, snakes, rain forests, deserts, and oceans. Lyanda Lynn Haupt is an author, naturalist, and ecophilosopher, whose work is acclaimed for combining scientific knowledge with literary, poetic prose. Her books include Crow Planet, Mozart’s Starling, and Rooted.

Tuesday, April 28, 6pm Poetry

DAVID MASON

–Cold Fire : Poems

From the volcanic landscapes of the Pacific Rim to the mythic echoes of Greece and India, David Mason’s urgent and beautiful poetry circles the globe and include Ring of Fire, the volcanoes of Mason’s childhood home in the Pacific Northwest—fires of creation and destruction. This is a book of light, love, and powerful remembrance from the edge of the world. Born in Bellingham, Mason has lived in many parts of the world. He served four years as poet laureate of Colorado before moving to Tasmania in 2018.

Marc Fryt discovered fly fishing as a way to decompress and explore mountain rivers and streams during his military service as a helicopter pilot and operations officer. He is now an urban fly-fishing guide in Spokane, WA who is passionate about helping readers learn the skills of urban fly fishing so they can experience the same joy. His new one-of-a-kind guide reveals the accessibility, affordability, community, and unique adventures that urban waters offer. More than just a how-to, The Guide to Urban Fly-Fishing provides the tools, resources, and diverse stories to help us discover the vibrant community and joy of urban fly fishing. It’s also about joining a broader ecological movement that’s redefining how we live, relate, and recreate in our cities.

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI

Thursday, May 7, 6pm

DAVE HUNTER and JILL LIGHTNER

–Mason Bee Revolution 2nd

Ed.: How the Hardest Working Bee Can Save the World One Backyard at a Time

Mason Bee Revolution explains how docile, hard-working, solitary mason bees (and their compatriots, the leafcutter bees) are even more productive pollinators than honeybees, and keeping them can be a fun, easy, backyard hobby for gardeners, conservationists, foodies, and families everywhere.

Unless otherwise noted, events take place in the Readings Gallery of Village Books in Fairhaven

Saturday, May 9, 4pm

ANNE H. PUTNAM in conversation with Ashleigh Renard

–Make Do and Mend: A Breakup Memoir

Literature LIVE!

Join us in welcoming Anne H. Putnam in conversation with Ashleigh Renard as they discuss Anne’s new book, relationships, and memoir writing. Is writing a memoir about your relationship the kiss of death? So often, first comes a memoir that centers around a romantic relationship/love story, and second comes a big breakup after publication. Authors Anne H. Putnam and Ashleigh Renard will discuss how they reconcile the truth of a relationship ending while new readers are still deep in the good parts of their first books. They will discuss the process of writing their second memoirs, both of which are follow-ups to the love stories portrayed in the first, and answer the question, when you take a deep look at a relationship, can it survive? Radically vulnerable and illuminating, Make Do and Mend is perfect for anyone who’s ever played one of Taylor Swift’s heartrending breakup songs on repeat or talked a little too much about her ex on a first date.

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI

Wednesday, May 13, 6pm

CRAIG ROMANO

–Day Hiking

Olympic Peninsula, 3rd ed. and TAMI ASARS

–Day Hiking

Snoqualmie Pass

Join us for a special double feature with outdoor experts Craig Romano and Tami Asars as they share their new hiking guides.

Middle Readers

FREE TO ATTEND

Thursday, May 14, 6pm

G. LEIGH LYONS

The Avery McShane Series

Join us for an evening of adventure as G. Leigh Lyons shares his middle grade action adventure series. In a Venezuelan jungle, eleven-year-old Avery McShane and his friends, The Machacas, spend their days exploring from their secret treehouse hideaway from prying eyes. But when a murdered cowboy is found and whispers spread about his missing silver spurs, the boys are pulled into a real-life mystery. Lyons spent the first decade of his formative years growing up in Venezuela, Ecuador and Iran then later, his career took him and his family to live in many foreign countries, including Bolivia, Argentina and Mexico. He drew from these experiences and adventures for his Avery McShane stories. Leigh is also the author of Achilles Wept and The Pirates of Xingu.

FREE TO ATTEND

Saturday, May 16, 6pm

ANGUS MAC BELL

–Adventure Ace: Valley of the Giant Snakes

love for storytelling, and inspired by his fondness of classic cartoons, this new series was created out of Mac's desire to inspire children to have their own imaginary adventures.

Saturday, May 16, 4pm

LARA MESSERSMITH-GLAVIN

–Ruiner

Join Lara Messersmith-Glavin for her newest book: Ruiner, where storytelling is combat magic and ordinary people must fight against exploitation and environmental destruction! Ruiner is the first installment of the Tellers series, an epic fantasy of colliding worldviews that demands its fighters draw on all their resources to stop an encroaching extractivist power. Lush and complex, the story wrestles with trauma, the high cost of resistance, and the nature of violence. Lara Messersmith-Glavin’s depiction of strategy and dedication in the face of despair offers us energy for the times ahead. Lara Messersmith-Glavin is also the author of the award-winning essay collection Spirit Things.

A Free Kids Event!

Sunday, May 17, 6pm

KATE SCHUMAN

–Desert Rose

A cautious cowgirl in the market for a new horse believes she has found just the ticket in Desert Rose, a well-trained horse handed down from a rodeo pick-up rider. After a careful inspection of the horse’s conformation and attitude, she buys Desert Rose, congratulating herself on this lucky find, and prepares to ride her home. It will be a ride she and half the town will never forget! Originally, written as a song, Kate will be performing her book to the audience—don't miss out!

Friday, May 22, 6pm

JOHN GIORDANENGO

Presentation:

Unpacking the Jungle’s Mysteries: Blueprints for a Sustainable Economic Future

–Ecosystems as Models for Restoring our Economies

Join international speaker John Giordanengo as he tells the story of the shared mysteries of Earth’s ecosystems and economies, and the vital hope arising from restoration. His new book, Ecosystems as Models for Restoring Our Economies, offers a fresh and engaging perspective on our most pressing social and environmental concerns, and takes the next logical step. With inspiring stories and obscure evidence from around the globe, Giordanengo reveals how Earth’s resilient and productive jungles provide the blueprints for our human economies. John H. Giordanengo has founded three companies and co-founded four NGOs dedicated to sustainable economies, restoration, and conservation. His newest venture, the Economic Restoration Institute, works across public, private, and philanthropic realms to restore our economies to a regenerative, resilient, and sustainable state. John’s work is inspired by the awe of nature, music, and our shared human struggle.

BOOK GROUPS

VB Reads...

Motherhood by the Book

Join in on an hour of spirited discussion of books that celebrate the trials, tribulations, and rewards of motherhood. By no means exclusive to moms with kids still at home, this group meets on the Second Sunday of the month at 2pm in the writer's corner on the mezzanine level of Village Books in Fairhaven.

• March 8 –Tilt by Emma Pattee

Village Books both hosts and co-sponsors a variety of lively book groups and YOU are invited to join in! All are welcome.

Find additional information under the Readers Corner tab at villagebooks.com. Book groups are free to attendno registration required.

VB Reads...

Afternoon Book Chat

• April 12 –One Bad Mother by Megan Williams

• May 17* –Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy *Special Date

Participants receive 15% off all book group reading selections. Just mention the group when paying!

Armchair Historians

Reads...

Let's chat, discuss, and dissect the most current and interesting history being written. We meet in the Readings Gallery at Village Books in Fairhaven the Third Monday of the month at 6pm.

• March 16 –The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan

• April 20 –The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones

• May 18 –This Time is Different by Carmen M. Reinhart, Kenneth S. Rogoff

Join Sittrea in the Readings Gallery on the second Wednesday of most months at 1pm for a lively early afternoon book chat. All welcome.

• March 11 –I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell

• April 8 – Life Impossible by Matt Haig

• May 13 –The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

VB

Reads...

Lynden Front Streeters

March 18, 7pm at Village Books in Lynden

–The Botony of Desire by Michael Pollan

See page 36 for more!

Check out the New Silent Book Club on page 79 3rd

Book groups registered with Village Books receive a 15% discount on their monthly reads. To register your book group with us, email bookgroups@villagebooks.com!

Unless otherwise noted, authors do not attend.

Bellingham Symphony Orchestra Book Group

Pairing Concerts and Literature!

Book Discussion at Village Books

• Wednesday, April 15, 6pm

–The Refugee Ocean by Pauls Toutonghi

Pair the book with the Yo-Yo Ma Concert April 26, 7pm at Mount Baker Theatre information at mountbakertheatre.com

Forest Talks & Forest Walks Book Group

This group is for people who are curious about local forests, the issues they face, and how to get involved. Sponsored by RE Sources, The center for Responsible Forestry, Whatcom Million Trees Project, and Legacy Forest Defense Coalition, meeting options including virtual discussions, forest walks, and more.

–The Final Forest: Big Trees, Forks, and the Pacific Northwest by William Dietrich Sunday, March 22, 10am-2pm

In Person Forest Walk and Group Dialogue Use the QR code to register and to discover upcoming reads and additional meetings.

Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Partnership with NCI

Saturday, May 23, 6pm

THOMAS LOWE FLEISCHNER

–Astonished by Beauty:

A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention Join Village Books and the North Cascades Institute for another installment in the Nature of Writing Series. What happens when we truly pay attention to the natural world? Astonished by Beauty offers a thoughtful and practical guide to reconnecting with nature through the practice of natural history. Through a series of brief, intimate stories from the Alaskan Arctic to the Amazon, Fleischner reveals how both easy and meaningful it is to deepen our connection with the land and its creatures. Offering simple, grounded steps to nurture this bond, the book is part reflection, part guide, calling for a life lived with care, presence, and respect for the wild beauty that surrounds us. Thomas Lowe Fleischner, a naturalist and conservation biologist, is a leading voice advocating for the importance and rejuvenation of natural history. He is the author of numerous articles and professional papers, and author or editor of four books, including The Way of Natural History, and Nature, Love, Medicine: Essays On Wildness and Wellness. He was the founding director of the Natural History Institute. Co-sponsored by North Cascades Institute.

Sunday, May 24, 2pm

BRIAN PUTNAM

–Dancing, Dharma ...and Dogs

Dancing, Dharma…and Dogs follows the life of Jeremy, as he evolves from a fear bound child to a free soul amidst the universe. His discovery that by listening and carefully observing the world, a human becomes aware there is more to our existence than “what meets the eye.” Through the friendship and guidance of mystical beings, Jeremy discovers a life of joy, wonder, magic …….and dogs!

Want a signed edition of the book but can’t make it to the event? Order over the phone or through villagebooks.com and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout.

Please call the store if you’re placing your order within 24 hours of the event.

SILENT BOOK CLUB

March 2 & 16 / April 6 & 20 / May 4 & 18

Literature LIVE!

Saturday, June 6, 6pm

STEVE GIORDANO and LYNN ROSEN

–Scenic Driving Washington:

Including Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Baker, Moran State Park, and Deception Pass State Park

Washington State, from east to west, can boast some of the most diverse and breathtaking scenery in the country. Twenty-five carefully selected drives offer a sampling of this variety. Choose from challenging mountain drives with glorious vistas, a peaceful pastoral excursion through the state’s southeastern farm country, and a loop through the rain forest of Olympic National Park. Aptly named Mosquito Lake Road, on the way to Mt. Baker, is a special curiosity.

Sunday, June 7, 6pm

TAMARA LEA SPIRA

–Queering Families: Reproductive Justice in Precarious Times

Join Village Books in welcoming Tamara Lea Spira, Associate Professor of Queer Studies at Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Western Washington University, to the Readings Gallery to celebrate her newest book, Queering Families: Reproductive Justice in Precarious Times!

Thursday, June 11, 6pm

GREG WRIGHT

–Wonderstruck: Because the Universe Wants Us to be Amazed by What Comes Next

Everything that you read in these pages is 100% true, if much of it wildly improbable. The author has “lived his questions,” as Rilke once recommended to a young poet, and these essays are a record of his progress, without perhaps even noticing it, toward living into his own answers. Greg Wright is a published author in several fields and formats, but is most widely known for his work on Tolkien, Peter Jackson, and The Lord of the Rings.

Do you love reading, enjoy being around others with the same passion, yet don't want to feel pressured to interact? A Silent Book Club is just what you need.

Come join us at the Next Chapter Cafe for the increasingly popular Silent Book Club—located on the mezzanine level of Village Books in Fairhaven—on 1st and 3rd Mondays at 5:30pm. There are no reading assignments. BYO book or purchase a new read from the store—you read whatever you want at your own pace while enjoying tasty cafe fare!

1st and 3rd Mondays 5:30-7:30pm • Next Chapter Cafe

The Chuckanut Reader – Spring 2026

new exhibitions on view

Dear Reader,

– Paul, Kelly, Sarah,

In This Issue...

THE MOTH MAINSTAGE

TOP 10 STORIES 2025

A Year in Review

Your Rounding It Up Supports Our Community

Extraordinary Educators and Literary Citizens Recognized

Welcome, Next Chapter

New Website Thanks to Bookmanager

4. Round It Up successes

Village Books 2025 Top 10 Stories

Our Chuckanut Editions Publishes Mariella, of Out-west #5

#6

Two Big New Sponsorships

#7

Two New Book Groups Start Up Their Meet Up

9

Paul Joins ABA Board

Sarah Celebrates 20 Years

Gaye Wins a James Patterson Holiday Bonus

Ski to Sea

May 24, 2026

Giving

Books for Local Kids and Families in Need

HEAR ME OUT...

At Home in Paper Dreams

Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 pm

Live Literature Local Music & A Little Humor KIM FU

–The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts

New Fiction

The Subtle Art of Folding Space

Lady Tremaine

Honeysuckle

Frida's Cook

BOOK GROUPS

The Neverending Book

Son of Nobody

New Fiction

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Bumblebee Season

Almost Life

Under Water

Homebound

Evil Genius

New Fiction

American Han

Like This, But Funnier

Sisters

The Secret of Snow

Clutch

The Dead Ringer

No Way Home

New Fiction

Afternoon Hours of a Hermit

Hot Chocolate on Thursday

Black Bag

A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage

John of John

Go Gentle

New Fiction

The Beheading Game

Dear Monica Lewinsky

Now I Surrender

Python's Kiss: Stories

Good People

Upward Bound

A Fable

Vigil

Fantasy & Science Fiction

After The Fall

Trace Elements:

Listen Anywhere

Conversations on the Project of Science Fiction and Fantasy

We Burned So Bright

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

Winter

Fantasy & Science Fiction