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Celebrating 20 years!
It’s been 20 years since the founding of Beagle Books, and we celebrated all year long! On the 20th of each month, we gave away a bag stuffed with books and bookish swag.
Small Business Saturday/Indies First
November 27
Small Business Saturday is a time to support your local community by patronizing local business and shopping small. Indie bookstores call the day Indies First! This year, author Roxanne Gay was the honorary chairperson of the event.
At Beagle and Wolf, rolled out the blue carpet for you! We offered a free book with any purchase and provided gift wrapping. We had some fun promotions, gave away great prizes, and authors were in the store to sign their books. And, we gave a 20% discount on any in-store book listed in our holiday catalog.
Author Roxanne Gay offered a special event on November 18: Roxane and editor Amy Hundley talked about her new imprint, Roxane Gay Books, independent publishing, and indie bookstores.
The holidays came to Park Rapid
November 26
We offered a holiday shopping discount all day.
Yuletide Sampler
Downtown businesses gave out light snacks and exchanged holiday greetings! announce it on our Facebook page.
Heartland LakesCommunity Tree Lighting
The tree lighting included Christmas caroling, the lighting of the tree, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a fire truck. The event was sponsored by CHI St. Joseph’s Hospice. Part of the program featured a family who has benefited from Hospice services in the past year. This year it will be the family of John Schumacher. After the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus came to Bella Caffe’ to hear children’s wish lists.
Sarah Stonich
October 23
Sarah Stonich was in the store, signing copies of her latest book, Reeling. It’s the second in a trilogy which has been described as “a hilarious saga of fishing, family, and three generations of tough, ind
ependent women.”
Fall Reading Retreats
October 8 to 10 and October 15 to 17
Our Reading Retreats are a gift you give yourself. We spend a long weekend at a comfortable lodge just north of Park Rapids. A group of interesting women discuss three books which they've all read ahead of time, relax, and eat meals which someone else has prepared.
This year there were so many women who wanted to join in, we had two identical retreats.
Our theme was “Who Am I? Why Am I Here?” and our books were:
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| Seed Keeper Diane Wilson |
Things I Learned from Falling, Clare Nelson |
Diary of a Young Naturalist Dara McAnulty |
Art Leap
September 25 and 26
An annual fall driving tour of Heartland Lakes artists’ studios and Park Rapids area cultural destinations. We were pleased to again host Kent Estey from Naytahwaush. His inspiration comes from nature, especially sky and water, and his work is often abstract.
Art Leap is sponsored by Heartland Arts.
Climate change discussion
September 8
Our Current Events books group and the League of Women Voters (LWV) had a joint discussion about global and local climate change. The discussion was in a hybrid format. Some of us came to the bookstore to participate in person, other joined with zoom. Discussion centered on the film “A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future” by David Attenborough. The film is available on Netflix and at the library. The book version is available at Beagle and Wolf.
To get a taste, see this video.
Benjamin Percy
August 28
The Ninth Metal
Suicide Woods
Ben is the talented writer of fiction, non fiction—and comics!
Nick Butler, reading and signing
August 28
The last time Nick did an event with us, he talked about Little Faith, but he also told us about the book he was working on. That book is Godspeed, published in July. Nick talked about it and signed copies.
Eric Dregni
Sunday, August 22
Eric Dregni was here with a program about his latest book, For the Love of Cod.
A journey to find Norway’s supposed bliss makes for a comic travelogue that asks, seriously, what makes Norwegians so happy—and does it translate ?Eric Dregni takes his son on a return trip to Norway—the country where he was born fifteen years earlier—to investigate whether it really is the happiest country on Earth. From a passion for dugnad or community volunteerism to sakte or “slow,” a rejection of the mad pace of modernity, this idiosyncratic tour shows readers how, or whether, Norwegian happiness translates.
Ranae Lenor HansonAugust 21
Beginning with memories from a childhood nurtured among the waters of Minnesota, Watershed follows the streams and tributaries that connect us to our world and to each other, What if we tended to an ailing ecosystem just as Hanson learned to care for herself in the throes of a chronic medical condition? This is the possibility explored in a work that is at once a memoir of illness and health, a contemplation of the surrounding natural world in distress, and a reflection on the ways these come together in personal, local, and global opportunities for healing.
Photo by Sue Kearns
Frank WeberAugust 21
Harper Rowe hires a private investigator, Jon Frederick, to help find her biological father, Billy Blaze. Harper had fantasized about the possibilities—but instead unearthed a dangerous psychopath who called St. Cloud his home for two decades, before disappearing. Where is Blaze today? Harper’s relationships with her lover and family fall apart as she is drawn into one dangerous secret after another from her father’s past. This True Crime mystery reveals Blaze’s actual sordid history and an astonishing true to life ending. Jon and Serena Frederick take on this investigation through COVID restrictions and the Minneapolis riots of 2020, discovering the answers ultimately lie somewhere between St. Cloud and Bemidji, Minnesota. Harper realizes some bridges need to burn…, but is it too late?
Eric Dregni
Sunday, August 22
Eric Dregni was here with a program about his latest book, For the Love of Cod.
A journey to find Norway’s supposed bliss makes for a comic travelogue that asks, seriously, what makes Norwegians so happy—and does it translate ?Eric Dregni takes his son on a return trip to Norway—the country where he was born fifteen years earlier—to investigate whether it really is the happiest country on Earth. From a passion for dugnad or community volunteerism to sakte or “slow,” a rejection of the mad pace of modernity, this idiosyncratic tour shows readers how, or whether, Norwegian happiness translates.
Jennifer ParkerAugust 14
Jennifer Parker was in the store signing copies of Coercive Relationships. The book provides a beacon for survivors of partner abuse and a resource for professionals working alongside them.
Wayne Gudmundson
August 14
Wayne was here to sign copies of his new book, A Song for Liv.
Kirk AndersonAugust 11
Anderson signed You Might be from Minnesota If….
You Might Be From Minnesota If... is a delightful, illustrated romp through the State of Minnesota from one of the most celebrated cartoonists in the US, Kirk Anderson. He delivers his unique take on our state, tickling the funny bone on every page. As Anderson proves, Minnesotans are proud of their state and like nothing better than a good laugh.
To get a taste, see this video.
William Ericksen and Lanny Scholes-Ericksen
August 7
William Ericksen and Lanny Scholes-Ericksen were in the store to sign copies of Barlow explores the Northwoods. All their profits from the book will be donated to the Humane Society Naples Pet Shelter (Naples, FL), where they adopted Barlow, a terrier mix. They hope their stories will inspire more people to rescue lost or forgotten pets in need of a home.
Barlow is a scruffy rescue pup who loves going on adventures but sometimes gets himself in a little bit of trouble. Come along with him as he explores the Northwoods in Minnesota and see what he is up to in this fun adventure filled book!
Bette Slater Seres
August 7
John J. Hammerlink and the Really Big Think
John J. Hammerlink is a young boy who is constantly getting into trouble because he does not think. He decides to learn about this thing called thinking by seeking help from family members—and soon has an opportunity to put their advice into action!
Beagle Books 20th Anniversary Celebration!
July 31
In 2001, Jill and Deane Johnson opened Beagle Books because, as Jill said, “Park Rapids deserved a bookstore.” Though there have been changes in both the store and Park Rapids since then, the mission of the store remains the same: connecting readers with books and the wider world, and serving as a gathering place for the community.
Our celebration included:
Jill and Deane!
20% off most items in the store
Refreshments from The Cottage Baker
A free book with every purchase
Prizes for everyone wearing Beagle Books or Beagle and Wolf Books gear
And two signings!
Peter Geye, reading and signing
We waited a LONG time to welcome Peter back to the store! The publication of his latest book, Northernmost, was delayed by the pandemic. As you can see, this was a hair-raising experience!
The book was just released in paperback. It’s the final book of the Eide Family trilogy. We also had copies of the earlier books available.
One Summer Up North
Come along to a place of wordless wonder: the wilderness of the Boundary Waters on the Minnesota-Canada border. Join a family of three as their journey unfolds, picture by picture, marking the changing light as the day passes,the stillness before the gathering storm, the shining waters everywhere, rushing here, quietly pooling there, beckoning us ever onward into nature's infinite wildness one summer up north.
Photo by Louise Lystig Fritchie
Julie Jo Larson
July 24
Julie Jo Larson was in the store to present a program about her new book, 100 Things to do in the Minnesota Northwoods Before you Die, followed by signing books. The book is a great resource for day trips in the area! “You’ll want to grab a friend or two, a copy of 100 Things to Do in Minnesota Northwoods Before You Die, and your sense of wonder because adventures await you in the Minnesota Northwoods.”
Phyllis Root
July 17
Phyllis Root was in the store signing copies of her latest book, Begin with a Bee and some of her other books.
Begin with a Bee and its story of the life of one queen bee, a rusty-patched bumblebee, teaches us not only about bees but also about our own responsibilities in the natural world.
Stephen Schaitberger
July 10
Schaitberger signed Stands Before His People: Enmegahbowh and the Ojibwe. Enmegahbowh was the first Ojibwe Episcopalian priest in the United States. During the turbulent frontier days of the 1800s in Minnesota, he worked for peace, opportunity, and cooperation among peoples. His work centered in the Gull Lake area and at White Earth. Schaitberger, who is retired, says he began the research which resulted in this book when he was in the ninth grade!
Christina Baker Kline
July 7
Kline’s latest book, The Exiles, was released in paperback on July 6. Her publisher offered a free virtual event with Christina for purchasers of the book. We helped customers register for the virtual event, and also gave out signed bookplates.
The Exiles is the stunning story of English women who were sentenced to Van Diemans Land, a penal colony in Australia in the 1840’s. Kline’s earlier books include A Piece of the World and Orphan Train.
July 4 There WAS a parade this again year—
David Ralph Johnson
June 26
David Ralph Johnson signed copies of Grand View.
Angeline Boulley
June 23
The Sister Wolf Book Group had a discussion of The Firekeeper’s Daughter. Author Angeline Boulley zoomed in for half an hour: all were invited to join the event.
The Firekeeper’s Daughter is both a coming of age story and a mystery; it also reveals much about Ojibwe culture, and it’s wrapped in a fast-paced story and a appealing main character.
Doug Mayfield
June 19
Doug Mayfield was in the store to sign copies of The Saint Patrick’s Day Hero.
Frank Weber In Person!
May 29
Forensic Psychologist and True Crime author Frank Weber signed books in the store and answered questions about forensics and writing True Crime. Frank’s latest book, Lying Close received top billing in the St. Paul Pioneer Press as new books to read in 2021.
Mary CasanovaMay 13
A virtual event with Mary Casanova and her new book, Waterfall.
In her third Rainy Lake historical drama, Mary Casanova takes us back to pristine and rugged northern Minnesota. It's 1922, women have won the right to vote, and Trinity Baird is of age. But at 21, after nearly two years at Oak Hills Asylum, she returns to her family's island summer home with her self-confidence in tatters and her mind seared by haunting memories. Her parents are oblivious to what they have put her through and instead watch their daughter for the least sign of defiance. Trinity struggles to be the "respectable" young woman her parents (especially her mother) demand, so that she can return to her independent life studying art and painting in Paris. She never wants to go back to Oak Hills, where they "treat" hysterical, i.e., unconventional, young women.
With enough talent and ambition to be accepted into the Sorbonne, Trinity had hoped she would be well on her way as an artist by now. On the island, she returns to what sustains her: painting. While her love for this beautiful place is deep and abiding, the few months ahead present a near-impossible task: recover the strong sense of self she's nearly lost during her time away, while holding off her powerful family's efforts to coerce her into submission. When her parents arrive on Baird Island, her father brings along a promising young architect to help with plans to build new guest cabins. Trinity suspects her parents are trying to introduce yet another marriage prospect. Or might she have found an ally?
Informed by historical figures, by the burgeoning growth of women's rights in the early twentieth century, and the complicated issue of mental illness and how "difficult" women were silenced, Waterfall offers a compelling story of an inspired, ambitious, and soulful young woman's fight to find her way.
One Day. Hundreds Of Bookstores. Fifty States.
Join the Celebration!
Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Every store is unique and independent, and every party is different. But in addition to other fun stuff, there are exclusive books and literary items that you can only get on that day. Not before.
Nowhere else.
Sally and Jen on Independent Bookstore Day 2019. This year: new hair colors, new tshirts!
Glennon Doyle was named the 2021 IBD ambassador.
The bestselling author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Untamed, is now a champion of independent bookstores.
“I have been to one million independent bookstores. I have met the booksellers who founded them and own them. I have fallen in love with them,” said Doyle. “Zero jerks own independent bookstores. They just don’t. They are — always — people who believe in and deeply invest in communities and art and ideas. And during this pandemic, in which we have lost one local indie per week, we need to prioritize investing in these local businesses who invest so much in us.”
At Beagle and Wolf, you found exclusive IBD merchandise, some fun give a-ways, the great stock coming in for summer, a free book with every purchase, and a chance to sign up for the book bag drawing. We slipped an IBD bookmark in every book we sold.
Paper Bag Princess Day!
March 6
To celebrate, Jen read the storyon Facebook Live! (Because of copyright restrictions, the video had to be removed March 7.)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
March 20
We welcomed spring by sharing sticker sheets related to the beloved book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Children were welcome, but we also gave stickers to parents or grandparents to take home.
Night-In
Night In was virtual this year, and it was fun to have people from all over the country join us! Folks from Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, North Dakota, Ohio, California, and all over Minnesota were part of the group. Half of Jen and Sally’s book talks are in February newsletter's Staff Picks; the rest will be in next month’s newsletter. Books are available in the store and at our online store. Special thanks to Jason Gobble, a Random House rep, for joining us, and to Tom Geraedts, our tech guy!
Small Business Saturday
November 28
Park Rapid’s traditional tree lightingNovember 27
The store was open for an hour after the conclusion of the tree lighting.
Our first virtual event: An Evening with Lin and Tom!
November 12
Minnesota authors Lin Enger (Undiscovered Country and The High Divide) and Tom Maltman (The Night Birds and Little Wolves) each have a new book which was released in October. The books have similar settings—extremist religious groups in northern Minnesota—we enjoyed a lively conversation. Lin’s book is American Gospel; Tom’s is The Land.
Signed copies of both books are available at the store. We’d be glad to ship them to you.
Banned Books Week
September 27 to October 3, 2020
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community—librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types—in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
During Banned Books Week we displayed a variety of banned books, some of them quite surprising!
Independent Bookstore DayAugust 29
More than mere stores, independent bookstores are community centers and local anchors run by passionate readers. They are entire universes of ideas that contain the possibility of real serendipity. They are lively performance spaces and quiet places where aimless perusal is a day well spent.
In a world of tweets, algorithms, and digital downloads, bookstores areliving, breathing organisms that continue to grow and expand. And they are at your service.
Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Oops, this year it was postponed to August 29! It was different from previous years, but still an important celebration of independent bookstores.
 Alison McGheeMay 4 It was a Facebook Live event, and we’re selling her new book in conjunction with it. Contact us if you’d like a copy. The Opposite of Fate is an intense and moving exploration of the decisions we make—and don’t make—that forever change the course of our lives. |
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We welcomed Dennis Staples to celebrate the publication of his first book, This Town Sleeps.  Staples is an Ojibwe writer from Bemidji and a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts with an MFA in fiction. He is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation. Set on a reservation in far northern Minnesota, This Town Sleeps explores the many ways story, culture, landscape, and lineage shape our lives, our understanding of the world we inhabit, and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of it all. |
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| The Paper Bag Princess March 7
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| Here’s a trailer for the 40th anniversary celebration!
2020
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 Night In/Morning InSaturday, February 8/Sunday, February 9 
Night In/Morning had everything you love about the event:
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 Inventory We do inventory the first Sunday after the new year. Family, staff, and volunteers combine to get everything counted and have some fun. We provide lunch and give volunteers the staff discount for the day. |
Dennis E. Staples
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