Every year, for Father's Day, we get to see dads spending this special day with their kids at our bookstore. We can't tell you how much it pleases us to see fathers sharing a love of reading with their children. The encouragement of a father who loves to read can go a long way toward showing children, but boys especially, that reading is not only fun but something you can develop and enjoy your whole life.* So, we want to say thank you to ALL dads but a special thank you to the bookish ones who read bedtime stories, make up silly songs, take their kids to storytimes, and generally model reading as a pleasure activity. You are helping to build the next generation of readers, of critical thinkers, of authors and illustrators, of storytellers. And we all know that the world needs more stories.

We still have time slots available for the conference room so now's your chance to get your book club, knitting club, wine club, whatever club into a great space that is designed to meet your needs. We've got everything set up online so that making reservations is as simple as possible. You can even schedule a time to volunteer at the bookstore! We could always use someone to help out in the garden, clean, organize, read stories, and many other things. We always appreciate any help we receive but, after all, this is your bookstore too! Click here to get started or call the bookstore with any questions!

Don't forget that we accept used books now! We are available to go through your order from 12-5pm Tuesday through Saturday. If you have more than 50 books, please call ahead to make an appointment so we can be sure someone gets through them all at once. Your accepted books will be credited to your account and can be redeemed when purchasing other used books. For more information about our used book program, visit this page. Right now, we could use books to help fill out the fantasy, science fiction, chapter books, mystery, southern nonfiction, and classics sections. It's the perfect time of year to get that spare room/storage unit/closet cleaned out. 

We are still accepting donations for a few items that we need to help make Foggy Pine Books the coziest little bookstore you could imagine. ​We need rugs to help protect a few areas in the store from damage through use, particularly behind the register where we're constantly moving our chairs around and in the seating areas that get the most use. This summer has been sweltering and, even with open windows and ceiling fans, we've been feeling pretty melted by the end of the day. We could use just one standing fan to help create a cross breeze that will, hopefully, keep the store cool for the rest of the summer--especially once the new windows and window screens are installed (thank you, Joan!). Finally, we're trying to green up our space with house plants and we just love how cozy they make our space feel. We've been getting them a few at a time and nurturing some cuttings so that they can be potted but we could always use more. Whether you just have some cuttings or you have full, potted plants, we want to adopt your house plant babies. We prefer ones that need low to medium light since they'll stay inside all year long, often on top of shelves that aren't near windows. As always, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated and volunteered so far!

We have some store adjustments to share with you to make your browsing experience a little easier. We have expanded our religion section and that entire bookshelf now features the Religion/Spirituality section. We also decided to remove all biographies from the General History/Social Sciences section and relocate them to the Memoir/Autobiography section, which has been expanded and renamed Memoir/Biography. We felt that it made more sense to meld these two genres together. We've also added titles to the Discount Section so be sure to check it out!

Attention Watauga High students and parents!! We stock ALL of the summer reading titles for your rising 9th to 12th graders. We have these books in stock throughout the year so that those who won't be taking these classes until the fall will still be able to make the purchase for their class. All assigned titles are in their own section with the Battle of the Books titles. Books are separated by class and a book list is tacked up right next to the shelf. All assigned titles will get a 10% discount, as well! Included in this discount is the title assigned by Appalachian State University for the Common Reading Program--The Laramie Project. You can find this book in the same Summer Reading section.

June is Audiobook Month and our audiobook partner, Libro.fm, is giving you a FREE audiobook! All you have to do is click here to sign up for a membership, which you can cancel at any time, and you'll get your free audiobook--NO STRINGS ATTACHED! While your on their site, take some time to browse their playlists, audiobook bestsellers, and bookseller recommendations. You can always find something excellent to read on Libro.fm!

We have a couple events this weekend and a few more to wrap up the month that we'd like to share with you and hope very much to see you there.

First, let's discuss this weekend's events. On Saturday, June 23rd from 6-9pm, we'll be hosting the Travelin' Appalachians Revue. This event is a showcase of Appalachian authors, artists, and musicians featuring local creators. We're incredibly excited for this unique event and look forward to meeting the local talent. We hope you'll join in and share some free wine with us while we soak up some local Appalachian creativity. 

Next, we have the Young Adult Book Club on Sunday, June 24th at 6:30pm. We meet at the bookstore to discuss the book and share some drinks and snacks. This month we're reading Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.  You can learn more about this book and our book club through our book club blogs. Click here to read about the June 2018 meeting. You can also check out the Foggy Pine Book Club Blog and the Hatchet Coffee Book Club Blog to learn more about those meetings that will take place next week. 

We are so excited about the Queer Literature and Film Series that we've partnered with Noble Kava to bring to our community next week. On Friday, June 29th at 6:30pm, we'll host the Queer Literature Night at Foggy Pine Books. Mary will give an introduction to the event and talk about the importance of representation and diversity in publishing. Then, we'll mingle and share book suggestions with one another. We'll have our Queer Literature display on hand with lots of LGBTQIA+ titles to help generate discussion. On Saturday, June 30th at 7pm at Noble Kava, we will be showing the movie Milk, about California's first openly gay man to be elected to public office. Kristina will introduce the film and talk a little bit about representation and about queer politics. Then, we'll watch the movie together on the kava bar's projection screen. There will be plenty of seating and snack and drinks available for purchase at the bar. 

Finally, we are pleased to introduce to you our newest featured author as a part of the Local Author's Spotlight program--Kelsey Day. Kelsey is an incredible young person whose passion for writing has led her to publish a variety of things before even finishing high school. She's just graduated now and has released a collection of poetry about her high school and own coming of age experiences titled The Last Four Years. You can pick up a copy of her book from the bookstore anytime and you can meet her at the July First Friday Art Crawl! We'll be hosting the talented young author during the downtown Art Crawl who will be available to chat with about her writing and to sign your books. You won't want to miss out on this opportunity to get Kelsey's autograph before she hits the big time. So, come out for Art Crawl on July 6th and, starting at 6pm, you'll be able to meet this lovely author and browse the store with a glass of free wine. To learn more about Kelsey and her book, click here.

We have a new review up on our website, written by our bookseller, Yelisa. She discusses Leslie Marmon Silko's classic novel, Ceremony. You can read the whole review on our review blog (click here) which features reviews from the owner and booksellers at Foggy Pine Books. 

We also have a review blog to feature reviews written by our community members! You can see the page here to read reviews and to get an idea what we're looking for. Then, the next time you finish a book you love, email it to us, and we'll feature it on our blog! We'll also let you borrow an ARC (Advance Reader's Copy) book if you'd like to review something but are unable to buy a book right now. We just want to know what books our community is into and we know that the community wants to know what everyone else is reading. So, don't be shy! Please email us your reviews!

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* - Five Reasons Why Dads Should Read to Their Children More

I can't believe it has already been two years! We have been priviledged to get to know many of you over these last two years and we are so thankful to you for making it possible for us to be here. Your support means the world to us and we enjoy meeting your book needs (and wants). We celebrated this past Wednesday with a community potluck. It was wonderful to see everyone who came out and we appreciate each and every one of our customers. 

We are excited to be accepting used books at the store! We are available to go through your order from 12-5pm Tuesday through Saturday. If you have more than 50 books, please call ahead to make an appointment so we can be sure someone gets through them all at once. Your accepted books will be credited to your account and can be redeemed when purchasing other used books. For more information about our used book program, visit this page.

Mary: I'm reading a few different things right now. I'm listening to Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler for Saturday's book club. I'm reading The Alchemyst by Michael Scott for Sunday's book club and A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah Maas. I'm enjoying everything but ACOMAF is, by far, the one that I cannot put down. The Adler book is a re-read for me so it's been interesting to compare my original thoughts on the book to my current ones. 

Yelisa: I've been reading Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, on and off again. It could easily be a quick read, but I like to savor each poem and read them when I really need to as a way to resonate a certain feeling, whether that is hurting, loving, breaking or healing. It reminds me that while all of these aren't necessarily positive, they are essential to make me, and other readers, believe that we are milk and honey, filled with potential and worth.

Kristina: I'm still reading The Alchemyst and really enjoying it. It's bringing me back to the age I was when I first read it. I'm looking forward to the book club discussion this Sunday!

​Katharine: I'm starting The Alchemyst. It sounds amazing and I can't wait to let you all know what I thought of it!

We have two book club events over the weekend and would love to see you at either (or both!). Saturday the 26th, Foggy Pine Book Club meets at the store from 7:30-8:30pm. This month, we've been reading Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshipers, and Other Pagans in America by Margot Adler. You're welcome to come by, have a glass of wine, and tell us what you think, even if you haven't read the entire book! We are laid back and love to have new members, so don't be shy!

Then, Sunday the 27th we will be hosting the new YA Book Club at the store from 6:30-7:30pm. We have been reading The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott and are excited to chat about it together over snacks and drinks. Coming to book club is a great opportunity to meet new people in your community and find other kindred-spirits!

Are you looking for something awesome to read but don't know where to start? Check our the review blogs that we maintain on our website:

If you've read something wonderful lately and want to tell everyone about it, write us a review and we'll feature it on the community page! You can also borrow an ARC (advanced reader copy) and write us a review based on a book that hasn't been released yet! Ask your bookseller for more information. 

In the meantime, check out Mary's review for Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows--

Foggy Pine Reads:
Mary - Right now, I'm reading A Court of Mist and Fury. I think this book is even better than the first in the series and, the further into it I get, the harder it is to care about anything else!

Yelisa - I'm currently reading Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay. Both humorous and educative, being a "bad feminist" becomes so relatable and eye-opening, inspiring me to think more analytically about the movement and to use her witty quotes whenever it's appropriate (or in other words, wine drunk and profound conversations with my friends on Friday nights)

Kristina - I'm currently in between books but I'm about to start The Alchemyst for the Young Adult book club that we host on the last Sunday of the month. I read it in high school and remember loving it so I'm looking forward to revisiting the series.

Katharine - I'm just about to finish Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and I love the story concept. For me, it was a good book but it's not as amazing as I think it could have been, given the subject matter. I wanted more!