The Book Stall at Chestnut Court

Bestsellers, for a Reason    Our weekly bestseller list below reflects a lively start to the new season here at the store and beyond. Our #1 book by far is Rising Strong by Brené Brown, following the enormous success of her Family Awareness Network (FAN)-sponsored event at New Trier High School last Thursday. She's pictured here (in the middle) with Stephanie and Roger Hochschild. We welcome the new football season and thank the area's many local Wolverine fans -- and college football aficionados in general -- for the success of our #2 title, Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football by award-winning journalist and Michigan-ex John Bacon. The #3 spot is held by Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg, who will be here at the store for his only Chicago-area appearance on Tuesday, September 22, at 7 pm. His book has been longlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize and will be part of Richard Reeder's Man Booker Prize book discussion here at the store tomorrow, Thursday, September 10, at 6:30 pm. You'll find signed copies of our top two sellers here at the store, and those who come to meet Mr. Clegg will have the opportunity to go home with their own personalized, autographed book! We feel good about the new season not least because of the seamless transition from a very successful summer here at The Book Stall. Business was brisk all summer long, thanks to great books and events on both the adult and children's side of the store -- and thanks, first and foremost, to you, the best book customers in all of Chicagoland. The current good health of independent bookstores in general has been the subject of a number of articles lately. We liked this one, "4 Reasons Why Independent Bookstores Are Thriving," recently published in The Week. A White House Welcome for Authors The recipients of the National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal who will be honored at the White House tomorrow include a number of authors, all well known to our readers.  Among those who will receive the National Medal of Arts are: Stephen King (whose latest is Finders Keepers) and Tobias Wolff (This Boy's Life). Recipients of the National Humanities Medal, also to be presented tomorrow, include: Annie Dillard (Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, The Maytrees) Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (Plato at the Googleplex) Jhumpa Lahiri (Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, The Lowland) Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment) and Alice Waters (My Pantry, coming out September 15). To view the entire list of recipients, click here. RAINA TELGEMEIER Wednesday, September 9 5 pm at The Book Stall We're delighted to welcome a visit late this afternoon from Raina Telgemeier, author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile, Drama, and Sisters, each a #1 New York Times bestseller. She has also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann Martin's Baby-sitters Club series.  We'll have refreshments and plenty of her books on hand. It's not too late to join us! RICHARD REEDER Thursday, September 10 6:30 pm at The Book Stall Those who follow the Man Booker Prize, Britain's top literary award, won't want to miss Richard Reeder's presentation of the five American novels that are longlisted for the 2015 prize. Mr. Reeder, an author who teaches literature courses at Oakton Community College, is a local expert on those books that have achieved Booker fame, and he's been busy reading this year's American semifinalists.  The titles include Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg (who will be at our store at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 22); The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami; Lila by Marilynne Robinson; A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler; and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.    Those of you planning to attend can do a bit of homework by having a look at these brief author interviews posted on the Man Booker website during the past week: Bill Clegg, Marilynne Robinson, Anne Tyler, and Hanya Hanagihara.  Look for an interview with Laila Lalami soon. Please join us for a stimulating evening. It will surely heighten the suspense leading up to the announcement of the six finalists on September 15. The prize will be awarded in London on October 13. This event is free and open to the public JUDY SCHACHNER Thursday, September 10 7 pm, Vernon Area Public Library 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire It's worth a trip to Lincolnshire to meet popular children's author Judy Schachner, creator of the Skippyjon Jones picture book series. She'll be talking about her newest book, Dewey Bob, the story of a clever raccoon whose collection of wonderful objects is missing just one thing -- a friend! This program is free and open to all children ages 5-8 with a caregiver, but registration is required. Register online here, by telephone at 224 543-1486, or in person at any service desk in the library. Click here for a charming video of Ms. Schachner talking about how she comes up with ideas for her books and settled on Dewey Bob for her latest tale. A Meet & Greet with M.E. FRIEDMAN Saturday, September 12 11:30 am - 1 pm at The Book Stall Meet  M.E. Friedman,  a first-time author whose personal experience moved her to write  Farfel the Magic Bunny, a children's book about the transcending power of love. The book, featuring photos of the real Farfel, is a story of comfort for those who have lost a loved one. The little bunny brings healing, hope and the realization that the spirit of those we love remain with us always. Click  here for a video of Farfel, set to The Beatles' beautiful "Here, There and Everywhere."  You'll also find more Farfel videos featuring musical classics. DICK and LIZ CHENEY Monday, September 14 11:30 am, Luncheon, The Union League Club Hear former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, speak about their new book, Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America. In it, they describe their view of the unique nature of American power, how they feel the principle of American power has been abandoned, and how they believe the country can and must lead again.   Click here for an interview with the Cheneys about their book on CBS News last week. To make reservations, call The Book Stall at 847 446-8880 or click here to do so online. DREW DAYWALT Monday, September 14 4 pm at The Book Stall We're excited to host the only Chicago-area bookstore appearance of Drew Daywalt, who'll bring along one of the new season's hottest new children's titles, The Day the Crayons Came Home. It's the companion volume to his #1 bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit and is one of those picture book favorites that adults love as much as kids do!  Click here for a lively introduction to the books and all things Crayons on their very own website. Please note that the purchase of a Crayon book from The Book Stall is required to secure a place in the signing line. Also, a special note that Mr. Daywalt's visit is at 4 pm (not 4:30 pm as stated in earlier publicity). His time is limited, so punctuality is encouraged. But do come!