Hello, bookish friends! I hope you've had a wonderful year, so far, and that this summer has treated you well. I'm writing today with news and updates about the bookstore. 

The first item on my list is the newsletter. The newsletter has been difficult to keep up with, for various reasons, and I've felt awful for not being able to send out an update every month. After much thought, I've decided to change up the way we share information about the store. From now on, all important updates, sales, interesting information, and anything else that typically would have gone in the newsletter, can be found in blog posts that I share on our website--just like this one. This way, the important information will go out to anyone who is interested in reading it, not just those who have signed up for the newsletter. This doesn't mean I'm getting rid of the newsletter though! I will send out a newsletter inviting our dedicated readers to check out the new blog posts and a newsletter with our event calendar at the beginning of each month. These will be combined as often as possible so that we don't overwhelm your inbox. I've put a lot of thought into this and feel confident that this is the way our customers can get the information that is most relevant to them and that they are most interested in reading. 

If you have not signed up for our newsletter and would like reminders about our new blog posts and our monthly event calendars straight to your inbox, you can sign up here. 

Next up, an update for students! Students, we are here to help you get your assigned reading. While we do not carry textbooks, we do order class titles and textbooks for you and give you a 20% discount. Just show us your syllabus with the titles you need to get the discount! We can order new and used titles. New titles can take 2-4 business days to arrive, while used books take longer, typically 7-10 business days. If you need a used title, please plan ahead to allow plenty of time for it to arrive. 

The final topic on my list is used books. We do take used books and will give you store credit for them. This store credit can be used to purchase ONLY other used books and your credit will cover up to half of the cost of your used book purchase. If you would like to receive credit for your used books, please make an appointment to bring them by. We will not take walk ins and I apologize for this inconvenience. We are a very small staff, with each person filling many roles in order to provide you with the best bookstore experience possible. As a result, we typically have a very tight schedule and won't have time to go through your books unless we've specifically made time for you. Please check out our used book page to learn more about the program and to see what kinds of things we won't take or are looking for right now. ​​

That's it for August! Stay tuned for more updates & check out our events calendar to see what we're getting into this month!

Happy new year, y'all! 2018 was a year of big change for Foggy Pine Books and we couldn't have done it without your support--from painting walls and helping move to the new location to shopping with us all year long and sharing our store with friends, family, even strangers. We are deeply grateful, as well, to the other businesses & non-profits who supported and worked with us this past year: Hatchet Coffee, Out of Your Mind, SAGA, and more. This community of giving, creative, thoughtful book lovers is precisely what we'd hoped to foster in Boone. Thank you for everything. Now, keep reading to find out what 2019 will bring and how you can be involved!

Are self improvement books not your style but you resolved to read more in 2019? Check out the "Best of 2018" list that our booksellers made for you! We had Mary & Saide list their favorite books that were released in 2018 & then compiled them on out website for you to browse. You can also check out the "Staff Picks" section in the bookstore which is on the bestseller shelf.

​If you like to pick out your own books but would like to challenge yourself to read outside the box, consider doing the Foggy Pine Reading Challenge! Our booksellers created this challenge to help our community read things they might not read otherwise. If you decide to do this challenge and complete it, bring us your filled out challenge list to get a FREE book! Check out the webpage for details. 

Moving on to store announcements--we do have a few updates about our event schedule. First, the Young Adult Book Club is currently on hiatus. It didn't get a lot of interest or engagement last year so we're taking a break this winter to develop an excellent reading list and a marketing strategy that will bring this group to the members of our community who need it most.

In addition to this hiatus, the Foggy Pine Storytime is also on hold indefinitely. We spent a lot of time picking stories and creating activities for kids but the event rarely brought anyone in. We tried moving the days & times but there was no change. We still do the Playhouse Storytime on the first Wednesday of every month at 11am, however, and will be considering a renewal of the Foggy Pine Storytime later this year.

​Finally, we are also putting a hold on the Swap Shop that we partner with Noble Kava to bring to the community. The Swap Shop generated a lot of interest but we're taking a break during the winter to catalog all the items, make donations to local charities, and get ready to come back this spring--just in time for spring cleaning!

Not everything is leaving our even calendar though. We still have the Foggy Pine and Hatchet Coffee Book Clubs, the Foggy Minds Open Mic that we partner with Out of Your Mind to bring to you, the Watauga Witches community group, and all the awesome literary events we host throughout the year, like--TRIO, the Queer Arts Series, Indie Bookstore Day, Banned Books Week, and more! We're also excited to offer new programs this year. We are currently developing a book subscription service and a book club discount program. The most current news about these developments will come through our newsletter, which offers, in addition to exclusive news, the first announcements of sales and a coupon for our readers. You can sign up for it here, but we'll also make announcements on our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as this blog.

Lastly, we just have some reminders for you. Don't forget while you're Kon Mari-ing your house and getting rid of all your books that Foggy Pine Books will be happy to take them off your hands! Read up about our used book program here, then call us to make an appointment for your book collection. You'll get credit for other used books in the store so you can keep reading without investing a lot of money or space in your newly organized home!

​Or maybe you didn't use the Kon Mari method but you're still supposed to host your book club meeting this month? Don't worry, we have you covered there too! Rent out our conference room to get a clean, cozy space for up to 12 people to meet. We have store parking, a comfy couch to sit on, a table to work at, and coffee available to all. If your meeting is during business hours, you can make your appointment online here. If you would like to meet outside of business hours, give us a call and we'll make the arrangements together. If you have any questions about the rental space or would like to check view it, please reach out to speak with Saide or Mary.

That's it for all our biggest updates at the beginning of 2019. We'll be posting on this blog several times throughout the year but the best way to get news about Foggy Pine Books is to sign up for the newsletter. If you sign up before the end of January, we will email you a special coupon to use on your next purchase!

Thank you again, Boone! We look forward to seeing you at our events this year and can't wait to see what great tings 2019 brings for us.

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!

​

* - 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--

As you can tell from the lengthy amount of time between blog posts, we've been quite busy here at Foggy Pine Books. At the end of 2017, we acquired a larger space across the street from our location at the time and moved into it in January. We're so grateful to have the opportunity to move into this space and, now that we're settled, are looking forward to more involved community engagement. We hope you'll stop by to visit us in our new space at 471 W. King St, the Harmon House between Boone Saloon and the Turchin Center. 

We are also starting a children's story time series with Kindly Kitchen. The first event will take place on Saturday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day!) and will continue on the third Saturday of every month for three months. The story times will start at Foggy Pine Books at 11:30am and will continue at Kindly Kitchen at 12:30pm. At Foggy Pine, parents will be able to get a free cup of coffee and at Kindly Kitchen a healthy snack will be available for children. The stories read will focus on food, community, and activism. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and the Events tab on our website for a list of the books we'll be reading together. So, bring your young ones downtown on the 17th to join in our brand new story time and stay to watch the parade!