Children’s book author Audrey Vernick (above) helps River Road Books celebrate Independent Bookstore Day Saturday afternoon, two days after Aaron Zwas (below) shows us how to ‘Transition to Independence.’
In case you haven’t marked your calendar accordingly, this Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day — a day when we toast the success and spirit of your friendly neighborhood (non-chain, mom and/or pop) purveyor of dreams for lovers of the printed page.
Here on the Greater Red Bank Green, it’s a role that’s been filled for the past decade by River Road Books, the Fair Haven corner shop that’s taken the lead among area booksellers when it comes to meet-and-greet opportunities with authors of all persuasions. And the store has a spring bounty lined up in coming weeks.
Indie Day actually arrives at the River Road store early, when Aaron Zwas stops in Thursday evening for a discussion keyed to his nonfiction book Transition to Independence. The veteran consultant and advisor on tech industry topics explains how the modern American workday has left us “time poor, with too much focus on work and not enough time for life” — and how the “new idea economy” offers unprecedented opportunities to “live and work on your own terms.” Call (732) 747-9455 to reserve a signing copy or for more information about the 7:30 p.m. event.
Returning to River Road for a special Independent Bookstore Day event geared to the youngest readers, Audrey Vernick hosts a storytime session that begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Ocean Township resident and author of such titles as First Grade Dropout and Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? will read from some of her works for beginner-level bibliophiles and preside over a party at which “treats and goody bags” will be given out to attendees.
Authors don’t get much more local than Carolyn Cope, the Fair Haven resident and food blogger who resides but a cherrystone’s throw from her village bookstore. A regular contributor to Buzzfeed and NPR.org, and the creator of the wildly popular blog Umami Girl (“Gestalt and Pepper”), the co-author of the new cookbook We Love Kale: Fresh and Healthy Inspiring Recipes visits the store at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, for an event during which attendees are invited to “sip some wine while we dish about food, books and blogging.”
Another author with a Monmouth County connection — this one a first-time novelist — arrives at River Road on Wednesday, May 18, when accomplished equestrian turned author Mimi Tashjian reads from John Courage, “an incredible story of love, life and the undeniable bond between horses and the humans who love them.” The fact-based story of Josie Parker, her relationship with show hunter Johnnie Courage, and the circumstances that see her transition from childhood innocence to tragedy-tested maturity, is discussed in a 7 p.m. appearance.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the threshold of summer without another encore appearance by novelist Mary Kay Andrews, the Fair Haven fan favorite whose best-selling “beach reading” mystery romances include Summer Rental and Beach Town.
The Queen of the Beach Reads returns on Thursday, May 26, for an event (hosted, as with her previous visits to Fair Haven, at the nearby Nauvoo Grill Club) spotlighting her forthcoming release The Weekenders. Tickets to the 7 p.m. event ($35) include a signing copy of the new book (advance orders are now being taken through the store’s website) and hors d’oeuvres; a cash bar and raffle entries are also available, and a portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Bridge of Books Foundation.
Reservations can be made for any of the above events by calling (732) 747-9455, or emailing [email protected].
