The Storyline: Issue 1 - August 2024
A newsletter brought to you by the team at Storyline Bookshop
Bookshop Buzz 🐝
An inside look at your neighborhood bookshop!
Hi new friends! Janine here, owner of Storyline. It has been an absolute delight to welcome you all into our bookshop over the past month. Let’s take a quick look at our milestones for the past few weeks in business:
💰 We’ve sold over 5,000 books and gifts!
👜 Our tan tote has been at the top of the list for Storyline merch (and we just restocked!)
🪄 The Grand Opening events were a HUGE hit! Magic Nate, Blooms & Books, and the UAFD brought in over 600 people combined.
✍🏼 Our first book signing with Maggie Smith was a smashing success!
📣 We’ve gained over 3,500 followers on our social media accounts.
💖 We’ve met some of THE nicest people and are honored to be part of the community.
Mark Your Calendar 🗓️
Explore upcoming events happening at Storyline
August 1, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:00am - Storytime at Storyline: Olympic Edition
Learn about the Olympians: Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky in a kid's read-aloud and make your own summer Olympics medals!
August 7, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:00am - Diary of a Wimpy Kid Reading by Columbus Children’s Theater
August 9, 2024 - 12:00pm - 2:00pm - Book Lovers Day Book Swap
Join us for a literary book swap, celebrating Book Lovers! Bring a book you love, wrap it, write a note, add a bookmark, or leave it as is. Then, mingle, talk about books, and pick up a new-to-you book on your way out from the Book Swap table.
August 9, 2024 - ANNOUNCING OUR BOOK CLUB! 📚
August 12, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:00am - Storytime at Storyline: Back to School Edition
Join us for Back to School Storytime at Storyline Bookshop! Enjoy fun and engaging tales that will get kids excited and ready for the new school year whether they’re heading to preschool, elementary, or if they have a sibling going back to school.
August 17, 2024 - Bookstore Romance Day! 💘
10:00am - 11:00am - Book Signing with Romance Author, Kerry Winfrey!
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Books & Blooms - Build a complimentary bouquet while browsing books
August 23, 2024 - 3:30pm - 4:30pm - Bracelets and Book Talk
YA Event - recommended for ages 10-16
Stop by after school and make complementary friendship bracelets while discussing your favorite books. It’s a great way to meet other bookworms in the neighborhood and find some new recommendations.
August 31, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:00am - Ohio State Kickoff Book Party!
Celebrate the first OSU game of the year with football-themed treats and Ohio State merch, and see our starting lineup of Ohio authors. The game starts at 3:30pm so stop by early for goodies or come during the game for a quiet place to read.
Storyline in the News 🗞️
Check out the latest articles we’ve been featured in.
Columbus Business First wrote a piece about the bookshop and our owner. Learn more about the story of Storyline here.
Shelf Awareness wrote about our Grand Opening to their 40,000 subscribers!
NBC4i featured us in their local news segment and online.
614 Magazine shared the news of our Grand Opening in their daily email and online.
What Should We Do in Columbus Today highlighted 8 Local Bookstores with us included!
The Nook ☕️
Overlooked titles that don’t get enough love
In the book world, if a book isn’t a new release, we call them backlist titles. These are some of our favorite overlooked backlist picks that we love and you can find in our shop!
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez is a powerfully honest, unforgettable story of two families, brought together by love and tragedy, each struggling to find their place in a new country.
Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen is an uplifting story about the redeeming power of friendship and love and the magic to be found in life's most surprising adventures.
Frances & Bernard by Carlene Bauer is a lovely little book that tells the love story of two people who meet and fall in love through their letters.
A tale about family — family secrets and vengeance, but also family love — All That Is Mine I Carry With Me masterfully grapples with a primal question: When does loyalty reach its limit?
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden is a raw and emotive memoir of trauma and forgiveness, growing up with privilege, and what it means to find yourself through the crime, pain, and danger of your surroundings.
August New Releases 🚨
Check out the upcoming new releases for August. Buckle up, there are a lot!
Literary Fiction
And So I Roar by Abi Dare is an inspiring and heartwarming story about a young Nigerian girl who, despite all odds, fights for her right to education and a brighter future.
The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya is a sharp and insightful look into the life of a young woman navigating the complexities of modern academia and social expectations.
Hum by Helen Phillips is a mesmerizing and eerie tale about a mother who starts hearing a strange hum that no one else can hear.
Villa E by Jane Alison is a beautifully written story about two families whose lives intertwine in an enchanting Italian villa, set against a stunning Mediterranean backdrop.
Regina Porter's The Rich People Have Gone Away is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that explores the aftermath of wealth and privilege suddenly disappearing from society.
Historical Fiction
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult delves into the complexities of identity and personal choice as it follows a woman who grapples with the decision to change her name and, consequently, her life.
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak intricately weaves the lives of its characters through themes of love, loss, and longing.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid reimagines the iconic Shakespearean character with a fresh and intriguing twist, blending historical drama with rich, imaginative storytelling.
The Seventh Veil of Salome is a mesmerizing novel that unveils hidden layers of the legendary Salome, blending history with a touch of fantasy.
The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis explores the opulent world of ancient mythology through a vivid and captivating narrative.
Romance
The Breakup Pact by Emma Lord follows two friends who agree to help each other navigate their romantic challenges by making a pact to break up with their current partners.
The Enemy by Sarah Adams is a feel-good, closed-door romantic comedy about two people who start out as enemies but gradually discover a deep and unexpected connection.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a charming romance about two people from different worlds who are paired in an unexpected situation.
Daydream by Hannah Grace is the third in the New York Times bestselling Maple Hills series that follows fan-favorite Henry and a bookish fellow student who devise a plan to help them overcome their challenges in a difficult year.
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer is a tender, laugh-out-loud debut romance.
Mystery, Thriller, Horror
In Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger, a Native American detective tackles a mysterious case that blends folklore with modern-day challenges.
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen follows a family with a house full of secrets.
House of Bones and Rain by Gabino Iglesias is a chilling and atmospheric tale where a haunted house and a dark family secret.
I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell is a compelling novel that explores the profound impact of letters and messages on personal relationships, revealing the deep connections and hidden truths between characters
The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden is a suspenseful thriller about a mother whose seemingly perfect life unravels when dark secrets about her son come to light.
Fantasy
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is a delightful dark blend of a novel of manners and historical fantasy, of fairy tail whimsy and dark horror.
The Coven by Harper Woods is a thrilling tale of a group of women who come together to harness their magical powers and face a looming darkness that threatens their world.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes Born of Blood and Ash, the thrilling conclusion to her beloved Flesh and Fire series.
The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson is a feminist retelling of Greek and Roman mythology that reimagines the story of Aeneas and the women once left at the fringes of his story, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes.
Apprentice to the Villain is an exciting story about a young character who unexpectedly finds themselves learning the tricks of the trade from a notorious villain.
Nonfiction
The Bookshop by Evan Friss is a love letter to bookstores, a charming chronicle for anyone who cherishes these sanctuaries of literature, and essential reading to understand how these vital institutions have shaped American life—and why we still need them.
Bluff by Danez Smith is a powerful and evocative poetry collection that explores themes of identity, resilience, and the human experience with raw emotion and lyrical beauty.
In On the Edge by Nate Silver, the renowned statistician explores the world of professional risk-takers, from poker players to hedge fund managers, and offers insights into how their high-stakes decisions shape modern life and the global economy
The Art of Power by Nancy Pelosi chronicles her historic tenure as the first woman Speaker of the House, detailing her legislative victories and personal trials, including the January 6th Capitol riot and the attack on her husband.
Obitchuary by Spencer Henry and Madison Reyes is a darkly funny and deeply moving exploration of death.
Page to Screen Adaptations 🎬
Check out the latest news on these book to film/TV adaptations
Sony TV Acquires Two Novels By ‘Long Bright River’ Author Liz Moore For Series Development
All The Emily Henry Books Being Turned Into Movies and Shows
Mood 🍄
With the end of summer coming, enjoy these relatable bookish memes.
Credit: Ellis J Rosen and Elizabeth McNair
Postscript ✍🏼
Before you go…
🏡 Upper Arlington Historical Society is celebrating its Fourth Annual Homes of History in August. Take a look at the website to learn more.
🌽 The Upper Arlington Farmer’s Market is every Wednesday from 3:30-6:30 PM (through Oct) located right in front of Storyline and Littleton’s Market. Learn more here and stop in while you’re nearby.
✏️ School Starts August 14th! Don’t forget to pick up gifts for the teachers in your family, for the kids going back to school, and for the siblings who will miss them dearly. We’ve got something for everyone.
In conclusion, I wanted to give a special thank you to everyone who has stopped in, gave us a 5-star review, bought something in the shop, given us a smile, or cheered from the sidelines. We are here because of YOU!! We are so thankful for our community of book lovers and can’t wait to continue this journey with open arms and open books.
Happy Reading! 📖✨
Janine and the Storyline Team
Wonderful newsletter - full of "news" in every sense of the word.
Very excited about the book swap!