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Small Business Saturday is a time to support your local community by patronizing local business and shopping small. At Beagle and Wolf, we rolled out the blue carpet for you! We:
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Noon to 2—Authors!!
We had many of Marcie’s books in stock, with a special emphasis on the Cash Blackbear books and:
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The holidays came to Park Rapids on November 29! |
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Holiday shopping discount All day We offered a 20% discount on any in-store book listed in our holiday catalog. |
 Photo by Debbie Center. Used with permission. |
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Yuletide Sampler
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Fall Reading Retreats!
October 25 to 27
Our fall retreats are a chance to get away for a relaxing weekend, talking about books with a great group of women and eating food someone else has prepared, all at a leisurely pace. We all read the same three books around the theme Finding Her Voice. The books were Gilded Mountain, How to Say Babylon, and The Brightest Star.
Poetry Reading with Members of Penchant
September 7
Penchant was founded ca. 1970 by Karen Herseth Wee and Riki Kölbl Nelson. Members of the group read from their latest anthology, What Wakes Her in the Night. The anthology is a testimony to the power of community and personal experience.
August Brought the Second Annual
Reading Road Trip
These five great bookstores: Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery, Big Pine Books (formerly The Willow), Bluebird Books, Cherry Street Books, and Four Pines Bookstore joined to create an experience. You would get a passport at your first stop, have it stamped at each store, and leave it at the last store you visited. It went in a drawing for a fabulous gift basket of books.
William Kent Krueger
August 16
William Kent Krueger’s new Cork O’Connor book, Spirit Crossing, is out August 20—but he got permission from his publisher to visit a few stores, including ours, in northern Minnesota before that date!We hosted him at the Event Room (in the former J&B) on Park Avenue. Krueger spoke at the event and was available to sign and personalize copies of Spirit Crossing.
Chris Norbury
August 9
Chris Norbury, author of the award-winning Matt Lanier mystery-thriller series and Little Mountain Big Trouble, an adventure novel for middle grade readers, was in the store!
Andrew DeYoung
August 3
Andrew DeYoung was in the store signing copies of The Day He Never Came Home and chatting about writing thrillers. Andrew works as an editor at a children's book publishing company, and he lives with his wife and two children in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. The Day He Never Came Home is his third book.
Photo by Sarah DeYoung.
When it's July—Where’s Waldo?
This is one of Park Rapids’ favorite summer activities—during the month of July, Waldo hid in a number of PR businesses such as retail shops, art galleries, the Chamber of Commerce and the library. Those who found Waldo in participating businesses and got passports stamped at each business were rewarded with a small prizes AND were eligible to win the GRAND PRIZE drawing including a gift from each participating business—the gift from us was a BUNCH of Waldo books! Also, lucky folk spotted a live Waldo and his sidekick Wenda wandering around town...
Joe Egan
July 27
Joe Egan was in the store, signing copies of his books and chatting with readers.
Don Carr
July 20
William Kent Krueger calls this novel, "...a joyride of a thriller."
Lisa Malice
July 6
Lisa came to visit with us about her thriller, Lest She Forget, and to sign copies.
After surviving a car crash, Kay Smith wakes from a coma with amnesia, a battered face, and no one to vouch for her identity. Her psychiatrist is convinced that her memory loss is connected to the horrific flashbacks and nightmares haunting her. As she digs for clues to her past, Kay uncovers a shady character following her every inquiry. Who is he? What does he want from her?
As Kay’s probes deepen, she realizes everyone around her has deadly secrets to hide—even her. Emerging memories, guilty suspicions, and a headline-screaming murders push Kay to come out of the shadows and choose: will she perpetuate a horrendous lie, or risk her life to uncover the truth?
Lisa Bolt SimonsJune 29
Lisa Bolt Simons signed copies of Boxed Out: A Choose Your Path Basketball Book.
Moving to a new town isn't easy, especially when you're in high school. But at least you have basketball. It's a great way to keep busy and to make new friends—or so you think. Not everyone in this small town is eager to welcome you. No matter how hard you practice, no matter how well you play, you feel like an outsider.
You're the main character in this interactive sports adventure that's two stories in one Play as Isiah, and try to earn your way into the starting lineup. It won't be possible unless you convince the coach and his star player—his son—the importance of teamwork. Then become Imani, and see if you can overcome bullying by a few of your teammates. You'll need to win them over to have a shot at winning the big game.
It's a game within a game. Here's how it works:
- Become the main character. Make choices that affect what happens.
- Collect points along the way to upgrade your skills.
- Utilize your upgrades to win the game at story's end.
Interactive books for kids are more popular than ever. Create your own adventure with the Choose to Win book series for boys and girls. You're the main character. You make the choices. Will you find your way to a championship finish?
Mike Doughtery
June 29
Mike Dougherty signed copies of Como Flats.
This is a tale of human authenticity told through a sweet-souled alcoholic who means well and sees good in people.
When the residents of Como Flats see Lonnie Klipsen in the same bar, drinking the same beer, telling the same stories, night after night, year after year, they ask themselves, "How can a man with so little lose so much?"
With no close family and no significant other, Lonnie and his longtime roommate, Stan, etch out an obscure corner of Como Flats to live their lives in modest simplicity.
When personal losses hit close to home, Lonnie struggles to process the feelings, cultivate friendships, and search for a place of belonging and love. A colorful cast of characters kaleidoscopes in and out of Lonnie's life, proving the perceived unrequited love of his life wasn't so unrequited after all.
Mike is an attorney is St. Paul and has been selling beer at Twins’ games since he started law school. He had some great stories to tell!
Linda Grover June 22
We welcomed the store’s friend Linda Grover: we had copies of her latest book, A Song Over MIskwaa Rapids, as well as her earlier books. She is one of the loveliest authors you can ever meet.
Three Irish GIrls Photography
Author Fest
June 15
Author Fest, our annual celebration of Minnesota authors and their books, is a great chance to visit with authors, meet new authors, and purchase signed books.
Will Weaver was at this year's Author Fest! If you’d like to hear him speak at length, check out this podcast of his interview with Zachary Johnson of Northwestern Voices.
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Scandal of Vandals |
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Jeff Krogstad Death on Disappointment Mountain |
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The Alchemist’s Ring |
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The Writer and the Engineer |
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Paula Cisewski Ceremonies for No Repair |
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Jack Kraywinkle Blue Harvest |
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Robert Saxton Shades of a Warrior |
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Jeff Howard Screw You Van Gogh |
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Laura Hansen Waiting Rooms |
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Sue Leaf Impermanence |
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Taiyon J. Coleman Traveling without Moving |
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Northern Waters Smokehaus Smoke on the Waterfront |
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Ashley Shelby Honeymoons in Temporary Locations |
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John Halter Driving Dad Home |
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Jeremy Norton Trauma Sponges |
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Glenn Miller Doorman Wanted |
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Aurora Lothbrok Mermaid of Lake Superior |
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Brenda Massman Yet, Here We Are |
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Andre Solo Sensitive |
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Jackie Stebbens Unwillable |
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Pierkku Ovider
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Lunch with Leif
May 18
We gathered at the Good Life Café for a light lunch and an opportunity to meet Leif Enger. Leif talked about his new book, I Cheerfully Refuse, and signed copies.
Photo by Robin Enger.
Children’s Book Week
May 6 to 12
The theme of this year’s Children’s Book Week was "Reading is Magic," which celebrated the power of reading stories to transport minds. The week encouraged children to be curious about the world around them. There was even a jingle for it!
We gave away Children’s Book Week posters.
Kathy Thompson
May 4
Kathy has written a fascinating book about homesteading on the Hubbard Prairie, based on journals kept by Mary Blunt. Mary was the great-grandmother of Kathy’s husband, John. We enjoyed talking to Kathy about the book; and she signed copies for our customers.
Independent Bookstore Day We love Independent Bookstore Day! Indies across the country celebrated on the 27th, each in their own way. |
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| Here’s what you’ll find at Beagle and Wolf: |
Jen and Sally on last year’s Independent Bookstore Day. |
Our new addition was open! We served cupcakes in honor of the 9th birthday of Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery. Yes, it’s really been nine years since we combined Beagle Books & Bindery and Sister Wolf Books!
Noon to 2:00
Two of our favorite authors were in the store, signing copies of their new books and chatting!
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| Jeanne Cooney | Candace Simar |
2:30 to 3:30
Six poets read their work! They are part of the Agates IndyBookStore Tour—from October ’23 to October ’24, more than 60 Minnesota poets reading in 30 bookstores across the state. Poets reading in our store were Charmaine Pappas Donovan, Dawn Loeffler, our friend Laura Hansen, Ann Marie Newman, Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks, and Marlys Guimares. For more information about the sponsor of the Agates tour, the Minnesota Poets League mnpoets.com.
Also going on throughout the day
Golden ticket Search for Golden Ticket hidden in the store and win 12 free audiobooks from Libro.fm!
Celebrate IndieBookstoreDay with this amazing opportunity—it's your lucky ticket to listen to some great stories!
All day there were drawings for prizes...
...and give aways, including 25 posters for Children’s Book Week!
We offered additional sizes, styles, and colors of our popular new t-shirt!
Whew—there was a lot going on!
Storytime
April 12, 9:30
During the Week of the Young Child, businesses in town opened their doors to young children, offering special activities.
On Monday, April 8, we had a storytime/activity.
Spring Retreat
April 6, 10:00 to 4:00
Our theme was Mothers and Daughters and we’ll each read the same two books, Daughters of the New Year and Nonfiction: A Novel,
ahead of time. We moved beyond the sentimental mother daughter relationships often depicted on Mother’s Day cards and in Hallmark movies to grittier and more challenging relationships.
See Sally’s staff picks for reviews of the books.
Chili Challenge
March 6
Friends and neighbors gathered for lunch at the American Legion: 22 varieties of chilis were available for $1 per serving. Dessert and water were also be available, and there was a quilt raffle.
The event benefits the Hubbard County Food Shelf. As you may have heard, food shelf use is up, and the Chili Challenge is a great—and tasty—way to support the Food Shelf. Donations during March are especially important.
The Hubbard County Food Shelf is a local non-profit close to our heart! Bob and Tom are volunteers there. We were at the Chili Challenge with a crock pot of chicken chili that Chef Tom calls “Snow White with a Bite.”
Paper Bag Princess
March 1
Saturday, March 2nd was the official Paper Bag Princess day, but it's never too early to start standing up to dragons, so we celebrated on March 1. We read The Paper Bag Princess and did a stand-up-to-dragons-themed activity.
PBS hosted a story time at Beagle and Wolf!Friday, February 16
Each child received a free copy of the book to take home! After the reading we watched a video, a Molly of Denali episode that corresponds with the book we read. Kids got stickers and PBS KIDS coloring pages and worksheets. Also, there was a 4-foot tall Molly Character Cut Out that kids could take pictures with.The event was free and open to the public.
Mary AdamsFebruary 10
Embracing it All: The Adventurous Life of a Rural Minnesota Woman is a new book about a local woman you may know: Mary Adams! Mary and the writer of the book, Carrie Hitchcock, were in the store for a reading and a signing. We loved celebrating the life of one of our own!
The Color Purple
February 2 to 8
The Color Purple came to the Park Theater. We featured the motion picture editon of the Alice Walker book in celebration of the film.
Night In: Afternoon Edition
Sunday afternoon, January 21
Our popular winter event for book lovers had everything you love about the event: 
- Recommendations of great books!
- The company of other booklovers!
- Prizes!
- Goody bags filled with bookish swag!
- Refreshments!
- A 10% discount on the books we recommend!
- A chance to be in the store after hours!
The books are reviewed starting in the February newsletter Staff Picks.
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