August... News, Events and What We are Reading!

The Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer in more modern times has come to conjure images of heat so serious that even dogs are down for the count, splayed out on the ground panting. But originally the term had nothing to do with dogs on the ground. It referred to stars in the sky which, when they were brightest, meant it was the hottest time of year.

Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (which means “big dog” in Latin) is supposed to represent one of Orion’s hunting dogs. The “dog days” to Greeks and Romans occurred when Sirius appeared to rise with the sun in late July in the Northern Hemisphere. They believed that the heat from the two stars combined to make for the hottest days of the year.

Ironically, astronomers point out that since the stars shift as the world wobbles, the dog days of ancient Greece aren’t the dog days of today. And several millennia from now, this astrological event won’t even occur during the summer.

So there you go. And here we are.

The warm, muggy, lazy days of late summer, when we can still steal some time to indulge in “summer reading” Not that there isn’t autumn, winter & spring reading, but summer reading has come to imply not-so-serious reading, lighter literary fare and I for one, welcome it. We’ve curated a lovely list of our favorite summer books which my friendly and knowledgeable booksellers would be happy to share.

Also of note this month:

• Consider submitting a photo of your pooch with their favorite book or staging a shot at our shop for our “Dog Days Photo Contest”. Details below.

• Our winetasting soirees are back – featuring fine wine and books to drink by. Wine aficionados will want to register for our “Taste the Terroir” event later this month. Details below.
  
  Cheryl

The Pandemic That Won't Go Away

Not only is COVID still a disruptor but so is the economy in general. We may have survived the pandemic and have kept our doors open but survive does not mean thrive. Like many local retail establishments, we are far from “thriving”.

The past two years have been an economic and social challenge. We are still reeling and in recovery from the costs of “surviving”. Unlike other bookstores and retail establishments we did not receive hundreds of thousands of dollars of governmental support. Not that we weren’t worthy. We had only been open for three months in 2019 and therefore did not qualify for much. All businesses that opened late that year suffered the same fate.

• The NYTimes reports that bookstores are “booming” – 300 new bookstores opened in the past 2 years; there has been a revival in consumers wanting “real recommendations from real people”. 2021 revenues were higher than 2020. All true (and wonderful). But let’s see what 2022 revenues look like in retrospect

• The WSJ reports that consumer confidence & spending are low. “The consumers who fueled the U.S. economy through the pandemic are starting to crack”. New data reveals that household spending is “increasingly strained”.

• Sausalito Books by the Bay can report that summer sales have been far less than last year. Event attendance is 50% less than usual. Costs of doing business have gone up.

Yes, we are surprised by these trends. But not. The world has left town and gone elsewhere, because they can (at last) and that means our most loyal local customers have disappeared. Fears of recession, market downturns and general social unrest have dampened spending. And of course, that pesky virus continues to cause havoc.

My message? We need your support now more than ever in order to keep these doors open. If you are a CSB (Community Supported Bookstore) member, please consider replenishing your account now. If you aren’t a member, join the club. It costs $150 and that money remains yours to spend at any time including a 10% discount on all books. Sign up here.

We no longer require masks (nor do county health officials) and we don’t really like them (who does?!) but we do encourage them. The iconic COVID guru of Twitter fame, Dr. Bob Wachter (head of Medicine at UCSF) was with us recently. He says masks remain essential to ensuring everyone’s health and safety.

We hope to see you soon… with or without a mask. Remember to shop local and support ALL your local businesses.

And thank you, deep gratitude, to all our friends, family and customers who have not wavered (we know who you are!), who continue to support their local independent bookstore.

Dog Days Of Summer Photo Contest

Enter a photo of your Fido enjoying a favorite book from our bookshop or posing in the shop to win.
Two winners will receive either a $100 gift card or a $100 doggie-themed gift basket.*

Submit photos with a caption to: staff@sausalitobooksbythebay.com 
Deadline is August 26th.

*Credit and thanks go to our friends at Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA
who gave us this fun idea.

Photo Gallery of Past Events

1)  Sinologist & research guru Isaac Stone Fish & his MUST READ book America 2nd about China’s alarming influence on American politics, business & Hollywood.

2)  Journalist Katie Hafner has penned a brilliant & endearing, delightful & surprising debut novel The Boys. Read more in the NY Times Book Review: amazing review 

3)  With Katie Hafner & Dr. Bob Wachter

4 & 5) Former trial attorney Stephen Murphy knows of what he writes in his third Dutch Francis legal thriller – Abiding Conviction. We had a great celebration with family & friends!

6) We hosted Sausalito Village for a Summer Reading event, where we reviewed and recommended our favorites.

7 & 8) Authors Barbara Graham & Molly Giles in conversation about Barbara’s new novel What Jonah Knew.

We have signed copies of ALL these books!
All of them make for GREAT summer reading!

Upcoming Events

July 19th, 6pm

Isaac Stone Fish
America Second –

In conversation with
John Pomfret

AMERICA 2nd – How America's Elites Are Making China China Stronger – is an analysis of how American business leaders and diplomats (in both political parties) have pandered to the Communist Party of China over the past 50 years and what the consequences may be. A cautionary tale about sacrificing truth in pursuit of business success in China. 

A former Beijing correspondent for Newsweek, who lived in China for 6 years, the author is also CEO of Strategy Risks, a research firm in NYC.

August 8th, 6pm

Felecia Gaston
Grandmothers Feed Us Love

This delightful new cookbook showcases cherished recipes and photos from Marin City grandmothers – all born before 1942. This special historical collection was curated as part of the 80th anniversary celebration for Marin City.

Come meet Felecia and some of the wonderful grandmothers who are featured in the book AND share some of their delicious dishes prepared with lots of love by the some of the best cooks in the Sausalito Woman’s Club.

Felecia Gaston is founder of Performing Stars of Marin and the Marin City Historical & Preservation Society.

August 9th, 5:30pm

Book Club:Vera
With Author Carol Edgarian

Join this New York times best-selling author for a lively discussion of her recent novel Vera which is set in San Francisco in 1906 – a dramatic coming of age tale framed by an historic earthquake, greed & corruption, with legendary real life characters. Vera is a tenacious heroine you won't forget.

Register for the club & buy the book inside the shop or call 415.887.9967

August 16th, 6pm

Adrian Shanker
in conversation with
Dr. Jei Africa –
Crisis & Care

Crisis and Care reveals what is possible when activists mobilize for radical changes in a time of great uncertainty, fear, and isolation.

An excellent primer for future activists, with strategies for change, even during periods of crisis. Adrian Shanker is executive director of the Spahr Center serving Marin County's LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. A specialist in LGBTQ+ health policy, he has worked to advance health equity through behavioral, clinical, and policy changes. Adrian is also Biden-Harris Administration appointee to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Dr. Jei Africa is the former Director of Marin County Behavioral Health.

August 17th, 6pm

Lucia Coppola
Talking to Trees

Talking with Trees is a collection of poetry about how nature speaks to the imagination. It's the story of a magical journey into the garden and the extraordinary adventure of ordinary things. Lucia Coppola is a an ESL teacher, originally from New York who has lived in France. She has a professional background in dance and body techniques. Her writing is informed by nature and traditional storytelling. 

Lucia will be joined by Fran Spector Atkins & Jane Franch.

August 23rd, 6pm

Marcia DeSanctis 
in Conversation with 
Erin Byrne

A Hard Place to Leave: Stories from a Restless Life

Join us for an evening of travel, luscious prose, and fascinating conversation as award-winning authors Marcia DeSanctis and Erin Byrne discuss A Hard Place to Leave, Marcia’s new essay collection that Forbes called “Dazzling, inspiring, and beautifully written”. Marcia is a journalist, essayist, and author of 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go. Erin is a travel writer & playwright; her books include Wings: Gifts of Art, Life, and Travel in France.

Bring a photo with caption of the “hardest place you’ve ever had to leave” to share with the group. Everyone who shares will get a small gift.

August 24th, 5:30pm

Taste The Terroir Winetasting

(Details Below)

Unless otherwise indicated all events are open to the public and there is no charge to attend. 

June 3 - August 26

Fridays, 6:30 – 8pm

We stay open LATE on Friday Jazz Nights! 

Get a WINE SET-UP on your way over to the park and/or Stop by afterwards to shop & talk with Jeff! 

Buy a bottle of great wine (or a 6-pack of beer) And we’ll provide the cups, cocktail napkins & a bag of mixed nuts! 

We have over 20 specially curated fine wines to choose from in all price ranges

Book Club By The Bay, August 9th, 5:30

Vera with the author Carol Edgarian!

Save the date for our September Book Club – Tuesday, September 13th – 5:30pm

Taste The Terroir
Winetasting Wednesday

Wednesday, August 24th 6pm

Taste and compare six Old World and New World wines and discover how and why the same varietals grown in California and France can taste so different! This experience will include a French Rosé, French and CA Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and a CA Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fine Wine Curator and Concierge Anne Minkin has a passion for connecting with wine lovers and sharing amazing wines from the Boisset Collection, along with the stories behind their acclaimed historic wineries in CA and France. She represents an exclusive portfolio of over 150 award-winning, sustainably produced, luxury fine wines and leads private group tasting experiences nationwide.

$30 per person

This is a tremendous value for the wines we will taste.

Space is limited; reservations required –staff@sausalitobooksbythebay.com

What We're Reading

Horse

Geraldine Brooks

A captivating historical novel that shifts back and forth between centuries from the 1850’s and the Civil War to the 1950’s and 2019. A heart wrenching story based on a real thoroughbred stallion named Lexington, the real slave that groomed him, real racism and social injustice. Love, loss, obsession, art and science all woven into a very rich read. This Pulitzer Prize winning author does not disappoint. One of my favorites of the year. Cheryl P.

It All Comes Down To This

Anthony Marra

t's been six years since publication of Anthony Marra's last book, and finally the wait is over. With Mercury Pictures Presents, he carries the themes and style he'd honed in his two earlier masterpieces, and has created another. I'd thought the WWII era had been so thoroughly milked that further reworking would be redundant, but Marra has breathed life into a story centered around a collection of emigres attracted to Los Angeles and their contribution to the movie industry. As with his earlier books, there is a large interlocking cast, but what he does so well is give life to even the participants occupying the smallest page count, like the bit players he is honoring. One of his strongest trademarks, the human connection, is a feature of all his plotlines. By playing the long game with his characters, he establishes threads that transcend time and distance against seemingly impossible odds, with satisfactory outcomes, not always expected or happy, but satisfactory nonetheless. I'm reluctant to provide any quotes since it would be hard to choose, this will be one of my favorite books of the year. 

Angela K.

The Lies I Tell

Julie Clark

Meg Williams spent years honing her craft of creating identities to swindle men. Kat Roberts has spent ten years looking for the woman who turned her world upside down. When Kat spies Meg across the room at a political fund raiser, she knows that Meg is up to no good. As Kat befriends the unsuspecting Meg in order to exposure her, Kat’s assumptions begin to crumble. What is Meg Williams really doing? Angela K.

The Latecomer

Jean Hanff Korelitz

A story of dysfunctional triplets, their dysfunctional parents, and the new fourth child who comes into the mix. The Latecomer features brilliant character studies and ludicrous scenarios that might be right at home in a Wes Anderson film. Korelitz has chops for both comedy and drama, on full display in this narrative about muddled relationships and hidden agendas. Matthew K.

Acts of Violet

Margarita Montimore

In an industry dominated by men, Violet is an extraordinary exception in talent and gender. Ten years after performing her greatest illusion – disappearing from the stage in mid-act – her sister Sasha continues to be haunted by memories of their difficult relationship. It doesn’t help that Cameron Frank is hosting a podcast about Violet and her absence, which brings a whole new level of ardent fans to gather and commemorate her disappearance. Will magic finally bring Violet back? Angela K.

The It Girl

Ruth Ware

Ten years after the murder of her college best friend, April, Hannah is still affected by her death and the memory of their bond. Especially when the man Hannah identified as the murderer has now died in prison. But all is not as it seems. Hannah’s husband Will, who actually dated April way back in college, is acting strangely as they are expecting their first baby. And the group of friends that she and April once held so tightly might have more secrets than originally thought. Obsessed with the idea that she may have put the man wrong away, Hannah tenaciously attempts to uncover what may have really happened the night of the play when April ended up dead. Evan A.

We Begin at The End

Chris Whitaker

Duchess is a self-proclaimed “outlaw”, protecting her mother and little brother. Walt is the chief of police, watching over the family. When tragedy strikes, Walt must do what he can to unravel a years old mystery to save the family. Angela K.

Fellowship Point

Alice Elliott Dark

Fellowship Point centers on the bond of two lifelong friends; one is a loner author fighting to preserve a majestic peninsula in Maine, the other is a philosopher and matriarch torn between the interests of her friend and those of her sons. A wry and nuanced story that masterfully blends multiple perspectives and forms of narration. The drama takes place against backdrops of natural grandeur and close, cozy settings. Full of intriguing character relationships and witty reflections about writing, life, and the passage of time. Matthew K.

An Immense World

Ed Young

We are lucky to have a clientele very attuned to the best writings on the natural world, and it was they who alerted me to this one. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of I Contain Multitudes follows it up with this wonderful book, destined to become a required read for a generation. Jeff B.

The Private Lives of Public Birds: 

Jack Gedney

We love bird books here at the store, and this newest one is a treasure! Written by a resident of Novato, published by Berkeley's Heyday Books, and even recommended by Sausalito's Amy Tan! A panegyric to our avian neighbors. Jeff B.

Community Supported
Bookstore Program

By opening a CSB account with us – or adding money to an existing account – you provide us with valuable working capital to help make ends meet during this dramatic economic downturn.

For more information CSB program

Hours of Operation

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Fulfilling special orders via phone 415.887.9967
or email staff@sausalitobooksbythebay.com

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100 Bay Street, Sausalito, CA 94965, 415.887.9967
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