Quail Ridge Books

Staff pick from Lily for CONSUMED by Aja Barber

"Consumed is an accessible, exceedingly readable introduction to the problem of consumerism and the fashion industry's contribution to the climate crisis, racial injustice, and poverty in the global south. If you have done any reading on intersectional environmentalism, many of the issues discussed here won't be new to you, but we could all stand to examine our own consumption habits, perception of wealth and sense of lacking, and to question what really drives the compulsion to buy large quantities of cheaply made items we don’t need. I recommend the audiobook (get it from Libro.fm and support indie bookstores!)--Barber narrates, and her informal, conversational tone lends itself well to audio."

Get your copy at our store or at https://buff.ly/3zjdEIL

This week our shelves are filled with great options! INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney, PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers and signed books from authors like , , and !

This week at QRB:

Tonight, September 23 at 7pm, MEET & GREET: JoJo
Wednesday, September 25 at 7pm, IN-STORE: Leigh Ann Henion

We hope to see you there! Get tickets at https://buff.ly/4d4Jgkb

Happy to birthday boys Bilbo and Frodo, and to all who treasure being curled up in a cozy hole with a good book, plenty of tea, and a heaping plate of second breakfast. 📚🫖🥞🎂💍

Thank you to Kelly Bishop and for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation at last night! What an incredible evening! Our staff had the time of our lives ❤️

Cary author Audrey Perrott returns for a special storytime on November 16! RSVP at https://buff.ly/3WyZlIk

ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR

An uplifting picture book debut about community and hope.

One windy day, House’s hat blows clean off his head!

His friends are happy to help, but nothing they try seems quite right. Then the wind gets even stronger and thunder rumbles, making House wonder how he can keep his family safe and if he’ll ever feel quite like himself again.

But just in time, more neighbors come to pitch in. And they have a plan for a new hat that fits him perfectly.

Sweetly illustrated and studded with humor, this tale of community is perfect for reminding readers that during tough times, neighbors can work together to help each other.

AUDREY PERROTT is the author of the forthcoming A Hat For House and Moo Hoo. She has written a number of nonfiction picture books for Scholastic. She lives in Cary.

Staff pick from Ryan for BRIGHT AND TENDER DARK by Joanna Pearson

"Joanna Pearson's debut novel is a multi-narrative literary mystery that spans two decades in Chapel Hill. Soon after the dawn of Y2K, promising UNC student Karlie Richards is brutally murdered in her off-campus apartment. Twenty years later, her freshman roommate Joy finds an unopened letter from Karlie, sparking an obsessive quest to prove that the wrong man is in prison. This may sound like a setup for your generic murder mystery/thriller, but Pearson's sophisticated style and razor-sharp voice set her book apart from the clumsier entries into the genre. As a resident of Chapel Hill, the setting came alive for me in Pearson's descriptions— ultimately seeming more like a character than a location. Immersive, exciting, and with just enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes, Bright and Tender Dark is a dazzling sample of the talent the Triangle has to offer."

Get your copy the store or at https://buff.ly/3z8nm0R

Join us for a special, after-hours party celebrating the release of ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros! Party tickets include a beautiful, sprayed-edge copy of Onyx Storm (while supplies last), plus a celebration featuring swag, prizes, activities, trivia, refreshments, and more! 🔥

We expect tickets to sell FAST so get 'em while they're hot! All questions you may have about the event can be found at Quailridgebooks.com/event/onyxstorm25. Please check there before calling or commenting 😀

This week at QRB:

Tuesday, September 17 at 7pm, IN-STORE: Tracey Enerson Wood
Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm, OFFSITE: Kelly Bishop *SOLD OUT; TICKETS REQUIRED*
Saturday, September 21 at 10:30am, STORYTIME: Allan Wolf

We hope to see you there! Get tickets at https://buff.ly/4dC8SWo

David Sedaris, a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today, is coming to Raleigh at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium on Saturday November 2 with an all new show to talk! Get your tickets at https://buff.ly/3XGrqyX

Please note: Quail Ridge Books will be the onsite bookseller but is not hosting the event. Tickets *cannot* be purchased through the Quail Ridge Books website or at our store.

Beloved author of THE SWIFTS Beth Lincoln is coming to Raleigh! Join her in a discussion of the the sequel A GALLERY OF ROGUES on November 4th. RSVP now at the link in our bio!

ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR

Shenanigan Swift is headed to Paris, where new mysteries await in the hilarious, quick-witted sequel to Beth Lincoln’s #1 New York Times bestseller, The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels.

Now that the family reunion is over and the murderer has been caught, Shenanigan Swift can return to important projects, like searching for the long-lost family treasure. But trouble always finds Shenanigan, and when a valuable painting is stolen from Swift House by a group of eccentric art thieves known as Ouvolpo, she is determined to get it back—even if it means chasing them all the way to Paris. A new adventure is about to begin, and Shenanigan’s sleuthing skills will soon be tested like never before.

A Gallery of Rogues is the highly anticipated sequel to Beth Lincoln’s celebrated debut, A Dictionary of Scoundrels. Beloved characters are back, joined by a fresh flock of relatives from the French branch of the Swift family tree—the Martinets, including Cousins Soufflé, Mercredi, Contraire, and Pomme. Get ready to say bonjour to more secrets, more bodies, and even more fun, in this delicious mystery that once again celebrates words, family, and plenty of shenanigans.

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

BETH LINCOLN was raised in a former Victorian railway station in the North of England. Her childhood fears included porcelain dolls, the Durham panther, and wardrobes that looked at her funny. She grew neither tall nor wise, and never learned to play an instrument—but she did write stories, a bad habit that has persisted to this day. When she isn’t writing, Beth is woodcarving, or making a mess of her flat, or talking the nearest ear off about unexplained occurrences. Her favorite things include ghosts, crisps, and weird old words like bumbershoot and zounderkite. The Swifts was Beth’s debut novel. It grew out of her love of etymology, the gleeful gothic, and classic murder mysteries. She lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her partner.

Voting has begun for the 2025 Best of Raleigh Diamond Awards! Please consider voting for QRB for Best Independent Bookstore and thank you so much for continuing to support local! Vote now at https://buff.ly/3XkZMGu

Staff pick from Rebecca for BETTER THE BLOOD by Michael Bennett

"I absolutely inhaled this book about a no-nonsense Maori detective who finds herself on the trail of New Zealand's first serial killer. It's an incredibly smart, chilling, and ultimately compassionate thriller about how the crimes of our ancestors can trickle down to poison the present with violence and how the decisions we make in the most pivotal moments stay with us throughout the years. It blends all the best hallmarks of a crime novel with a clear-eyed vision for what a thriller can be, and I cannot wait to read more of Hana Westerman's story."

Get your copy on our shelves and at https://buff.ly/4bar3QL

It’s a new week! This week we have SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA by TJ Klune, TELL ME EVERYTHING by , signed copies of HERE ONE MOMENT by and so much more! Which are you excited for?

This week at QRB:

Tuesday, September 10 at 7pm, IN-STORE: Tor Nightfire Presents: Fright Night!

We hope to see you there! Get tickets at https://buff.ly/3Tj1cjx

Don't forget to RSVP to Education Celebration on September 20! The event is free to attend for K-12 educators and includes tote bags, giveaways, coupons, refreshments and more! Information and registration can be found at https://buff.ly/47dEVcF

UPDATE: SOLD OUT! Please join the waitlist!

Book Club Bash is back! One of our favorite QRB traditions returns on Wednesday, November 6 at 7pm. Bring your book club pals (or come solo!) to hear our staff recommend their favorite books for you to read in the new year. The selections will include a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction that we know you'll love!

Space is limited and tickets are required. Your ticket also includes:

📙 A $10.00 off voucher to be used on anything in the store!
📚 Giveaways and prizes!
🍷 Wine!
🧀 Snacks and treats!

Get your ticket now at https://buff.ly/47hNdA5

Our September Take Ten comes from Liz!

Liz comes to Raleigh from Charlotte. An NC State and Canes fan, her pride and joy are her three kids and grandson, with a granddaughter arriving in December. Liz loves reading nonfiction--especially history, biography and current events--but likes to dabble in fiction, thanks to her QRB co-workers’ staff picks. Here are ten picks this month!

📕 PREQUEL by Rachel Maddow
📕 THE DEMON OF UNREST by Erik Larson
📕 THE SEWING GIRL'S TALE by John Wood Sweet
📕 SALT: A WORLD HISTORY by Mark Kurlansky
📕 THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR by Ben Macintyre
📕 MRS. LINCOLN'S DRESSMAKER by Jennifer Chiaverini
📕 THE TSARINA'S LOST TREASURE by Gerald Easter & Mara Vorhees
📕 THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon
📕 HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION by Thomas Cahill
📕 AMERICA'S FIRST DAUGHTER by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Check out these books on display at the store and read Liz's reviews at https://buff.ly/3XakRmW

We're delighted to announced our next themed kids' party: Monster Bash!

Join our Children's booksellers on October 27 for a spooky and fun afternoon filled with:

🎃 Stories
🎃 Crafts
🎃 Activities
🎃 Treats
🎃 Monster Mash dance parade
🎃 And more!

Costumes encouraged! The party is recommended for children ages 5 - 9. Space is limited and registration is required for each individual child. Register now at https://buff.ly/4gdyjyS

New this week featuring BLUE SISTERS by , signed copies of THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by , and COLORED TELEVISION by Danzy Senna!

One Tree Hill actress Joy Lenz joins us for a conversation about her upcoming memoir DINNER FOR VAMPIRES on October 23! This is a ticketed, offsite event followed by a signing & photo line at Meredith College Jones Chapel. Get tickets now at https://buff.ly/47rysLv

ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR

A deliciously witty and inspiring memoir by One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz about her decade in a cult and her quest to break free.

In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to breakthrough as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her career was about to take off, but her personal life was slowly beginning to unravel. What none of the show’s millions of fans knew, hidden even from her costars, was her secret double life in a cult.

An only child who often had to fend for herself and always wanted a place to belong, Lenz found the safe haven she’d been searching for in a Bible study group with other Hollywood creatives. However, the group soon morphed into something more sinister—a slowly woven web of manipulation, abuse, and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz began to give away her autonomy, ultimately relocating to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound, overseen by a domineering minister who would convince Lenz to marry one of his sons and steadily drained millions of her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”–inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal.

Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to leave and spare her child from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help of a One Tree Hill superfan), she finally managed to escape the family’s grip and begin to heal from the deep trauma that forever altered her relationship with God and her understanding of faith.

Written with powerful honesty and dark humor, Dinner for Vampires is an inspiring story about the importance of identity and understanding what you believe.

We're celebrating our General Manager Ginger's sixth year at QRB this week! Thank you, Ginger, for all the hard work you do to keep this wonderful store growing! Make sure to give Ginger a wave when you see her on the sales floor 👋

Raleigh author Kwame Mbalia returns to QRB for the first book in a brand new series: JAX FREEMAN AND THE PHANTOM SHRIEK. Recommended for ages 8-12. Get tickets and more info at https://buff.ly/3AttT6P

ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR

What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia's incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magic.

On his twelfth birthday, Jackson "Jax" Freeman arrives at Chicago's Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He's been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin.

At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for "summoners," even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families.

When Jax learns that he isn't the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn't create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920's. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all.

A unique magic-school fantasy from the best-selling and award-winning author of the Tristan Strong trilogy has just pulled into the station.

KWAME MBALIA is a best-selling author and the publisher of Freedom Fire, an imprint of Disney Hyperion devoted to stories about the Black diaspora by Black creators. His debut middle-grade novel, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it was followed by Tristan Strong Destroys the World and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Kwame lives with his wife and children outside Raleigh.

Staff pick from Maggie for THE LAST BLOODCARVER by Vanessa Le

"You will undoubtedly fall in love with Nhika, a young girl who has the power to heal but is only seen by others as her ability to hurt. She’s fierce, intelligent, funny, and deeply compassionate (despite how hard she tries to hide it). This book has everything–mystery, magic, friendships, and incredible worldbuilding. Delve into the rich world of Theumas and enjoy."

Get your copy in our Teen Fantasy section or at https://buff.ly/3R1rOUV

This week at QRB:

Tuesday, August 27 at 7pm, IN-STORE: Brain Hare & Vanessa Woods
Wednesday, August 28 at 7pm, IN-STORE: Penn & Kim Holderness *SOLD OUT; TICKETS REQUIRED*

We hope to see you there! Get tickets at https://buff.ly/3T3Bwao!