Welcome to Four Seasons Books
A Haven for Bibliophiles in Shepherdstown, WV
Are you looking for more than just a bookstore? At Four Seasons Books in the charming town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, we offer you an immersive literary experience. Nestled in the heart of this historic community, our independent bookstore has been a beloved fixture for both locals and visitors alike since 1991.
A World of Books |
Local Flavor & Beyond |
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Step through our doors and discover a treasure trove of books that spans every genre and interest. From the latest bestsellers to hidden literary gems, our curated collection appeals to readers of all tastes and ages. Whether you're a history buff, a science fiction fanatic, a mystery aficionado, or simply seeking a captivating read, we have something for you.
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We take pride in supporting local authors, showcasing their works prominently in our store. If you're interested in regional literature or curious about the creative talents of our community, you'll find a wonderful selection of books that celebrate the local spirit.
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SHOP FROM HOME | PICK UP IN STORE | SHIP TO HOME
A Place to Hang the Moon | Kate Albus
$12.99 - $17.99
A heartwarming story about three siblings, evacuated from London to live in the countryside, looking for a permanent home--and a new meaning for family.
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, aren't terribly upset by the death of the not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died.
But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer?
It's a preposterous plan, but off they go-- keeping their predicament a secret, and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets and the hollowness of empty stomachs.
But at least they find comfort in the village lending library-- a cozy shelter from the harshness of everyday life, filled with favorite stories and the quiet company of Nora Müller, the kind librarian. The children wonder if Nora could be the family they've been searching for. . . . But the shadow of the war, and the unknown whereaouts of Nora's German husband complicate matters.
A Place to Hang the Moon is a story about the importance of family: the one you're given, and the one you choose. Filled with rich, sensory prose, allusions to classic children's stories like A Little Princess, Mary Poppins, and The Story of Ferdinand, this cozy tale with a classic feel is sure to warm your heart.
An ALSC Notable Children's Book
An SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Named to the Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice List
A CCBC Choice
Nothing Else but Miracles | Kate Albus
$17.99
From the author of A Place to Hang the Moon comes a hopeful World War II story about three scrappy siblings on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
When 12-year-old Dory Byrne’s pop left New York City’s Lower East Side to fight Hitler, he promised her and her brothers that they’d be safe. Like he always said, “the neighborhood will give you what you need.”
There’s the lady from the bakery, who saves them leftover crullers. The kind landlord who checks in on them. And every Thursday night, the Byrnes enjoy a free bowl of seafood stew at Mr. Caputo’s restaurant. . . which is where Dory learns about the abandoned hand-pulled elevator that is the only way to get to Caputo’s upper floors.
But when a new landlord threatens their home in the community that’s raised them and kept them safe, the secret elevator—and the abandoned hotel it leads to—provides just the solution they need.
Based on a very real place in old New York and steeped in the history of World War II, Nothing Else but Miracles is a warm and inviting story of resilience, the tight-knit community of the Lower East Side, and the miracles that await in unexpected places.
Kate Albus is the award-winning author of A Place to Hang the Moon, a JLG Gold Standard Selection, An Indie Pick, An ALSC Notable Children’s Book, A CCBC Choice book, and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner. Nothing Else But Miracles is rich with details from her grandparents’ stories of Coney Island and the Fulton Fish Market.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
*SIGNED COPY* Strange as this Weather Has Been | Ann Pancake
$17.95
An intrepid mother determines to take on the secretive world of mountain top removal and the coal companies that make millions at the expense of West Virginian families. Lace and Jimmy Make and their children are as much victims of the ruthless world of King Coal, making money, and tearing apart mountains as old as Pangea itself. Winner of the Weatherford and other awards, Strange As This Weather Has Been is the 2023 One Book, One West Virginia Common Read.
*SIGNED COPY* Me and My Daddy Listen to Bob Marley | Ann Pancake
$17.95
A tour de force in storytelling and use of language and experimentation with narrative form, Me and My Daddy Listen to Bob Marley explores the people of Appalachia who are excluded, othered, and a region of America which is rife with stories and people that are distinctly and richly portrayed in this brilliant collection.
Blues for the Muse | Stephen Altman
$14.99
A ROMANCE IN ROME...
Blues for the Muse, a comedy-adventure set in modern-day Rome, is an unpredictable blend of film-noir danger, roller-coaster romance, and sweet depths of feeling, with an aging, risk-taking hero who should know better and a fetching Italian siren who definitely does. The story touches chords of love and crime and the redemptive power of art, all done in sonnets that are a breeze to read and chocked with pleasures.
“With the grace of Keats—whose poetic presence gives this volume its lively force—Altman whips lusty and literate sonnets into a sweeping, scary, and sensational masterpiece!”
– William Lanouette, author of The Triumph of the Amateurs and Genius in the Shadows.
The story opens and closes in the Roman cemetery where John Keats is buried. In between, it features Italian mobsters and American conmen, Hollywood moviemaking, an unforgettable femme fatale, a high-stakes love affair, concealed identities and unanticipated revelations, the eternal glories of Rome and—almost magically—the presiding spirit of the young English poet who wrote “Bright Star.”
Blues for the Muse is a hilarious meditation on life, love, and movie magic, told in whip-smart rhymes that will make you smile with surprise and delight.
For a sampling of Blues for the Muse, click on Kindle edition, then click on the “Look inside” tab above the cover.
Goodbye Days | Jeff Zentner
$12.99
Biographical Note:
Jeff Zentner is the acclaimed author of The Serpent King. In addition to writing, he is also a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. Goodbye Days is his love letter to the city of Nashville and the talented people who populate it. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son. You can follow him on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter at @jeffzentner.
Review Quotes:
"Jeff Zentner, you perfectly fill the John-Green-sized hole in our heart." --Justine Magazine
"Evocative, heartbreaking, and beautifully written." --Buzzfeed"Masterful." --Teen Vogue"Tender, honest, moving, and lyrical. Zentner is the real thing." --Benjamin Alire Sáenz, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and Printz Honor winnerAn Indie Next List Selection" Zentner does an excellent job in creating empathetic characters, especially his protagonist Carver, a budding writer whose first-person account of his plight is artful evidence of his talent."-- Booklist, Starred"Racial tensions, spoiled reputations, and broken homes all play roles in an often raw meditation on grief and the futility of entertaining what-ifs when faced with awful, irreversible events."-- Publishers Weekly, Starred" [E]xquisite and tragic." - Shelf Awareness, Starred"[A] novel full of wisdom." -- Kirkus"[The] kind of intelligent, intense, and life-affirming tale that will resonate with teens seeking depth and honesty." -- SLJ"An organic, frequently raw narrative." - Horn Book"Tissues not optional." -- The Bulletin
Praise for Jeff Zentner's The Serpent King
A William C. Morris Award Winner
A New York Times Notable Book
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the Year
An Indie Next List Top Ten Selection
A Paste Magazine and Popcrush Most Anticipated YA Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Spring Flying Start
" Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you." --The New York Public Library" Will fill the infinite space that was left in your chest after you finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower." --Book Riot"A story about friendship, family and forgiveness, it's as funny and witty as it is utterly heartbreaking." --P aste Magazine"A brutally honest portrayal of teen life . . . [and] a love letter to the South from a man who really understands it." -- Mashable"Zentner's great achievement -- particularly impressive for a first novel -- is to make us believe three such different people could be friends. He also manages to blend a dank, oppressive, Flannery O'Connor-esque sense of place with humor and optimism .... I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another." -- New York Times Book Review
Publisher Marketing:
What would you do if you could spend one last day with someone you lost? From the award winning author of The Serpent King comes an acclaimed story of grief, guilt and the chance to say goodbye. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new book, In the Wild Light!
"Gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately life-affirming." --Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything.
Where are you guys? Text me back. That's the last message Carver Briggs will ever send his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. He never thought that it would lead to their death.Now Carver can't stop blaming himself for the accident and even worse, a powerful judge is pressuring the district attorney to open up a criminal investigation.Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli's girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake's grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a "goodbye day" together to share their memories and say a proper farewell.Soon the other families are asking for their own goodbye day with Carver--but he's unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these goodbye days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or--even worse--prison?
"Hold on to your heart: this book will wreck you, fix you, and most definitely change you." --Becky Albertalli, Morris Award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
If We Were Villains | M.L. Rio
$28.99
Biographical Note:
M. L. Rio has worked in bookstores and theatres for years, and holds a master's in Shakespeare studies from King's College London. If We Were Villains is her debut novel.
Review Quotes:
"Nerdily (and winningly) in love with Shakespeare...Readable, smart."
--New York Times Book Review
"Pulls the reader in from the first page... A well-written and gripping ode to the stage...A fascinating, unorthodox take on rivalry, friendship, and truth, IF WE WERE VILLAINS will draw readers in and leave them pondering the weight of our biggest actions and their consequences."
--Mystery Scene"Echoing such college-set novels as Donna Tartt's The Secret History and mixing in enough Shakespearean theater to qualify readers for the stage, Rio's debut mystery is an engrossing ride...Rio crafts an intricate story about friendship, love, and betrayal. Recommended for readers who enjoy literary fiction by authors such as Tartt or Emily St. John Mandel."
--Library Journal, starred review
"Bloody, melodramatic, suspenseful debut... This novel about obsession at the conservatory will thoroughly obsess you."
--Kirkus, starred review
"This is a rare and extraordinary novel: a vivid rendering of the closed world of a conservatory education, a tender and harrowing exploration of friendship, and a genuinely breathtaking literary thriller. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and can't wait to read what M. L. Rio writes next."
--Emily St. John Mandel, New York Times bestselling author of Station Eleven"Much like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M. L. Rio's sparkling debut is a richly layered story of love, friendship, and obsession. Both comic and tragic, this novel asks what people are willing to sacrifice in the name of ambition. Expertly plotted, beautifully written, If We Were Villains will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments."
--Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest"If We Were Villains is a whip-smart, chilling tale of a group of Shakespeare students who are, as the Bard put it, "a little more than kin, and less than kind" -- especially after one of their own meets a horrific fate. Full of friendship, betrayal, and passionate devotion, this is a page-turning literary thriller whose final, shocking twist you won't soon forget."
--Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and June"A tale worthy of the Bard himself...ending in one final, astonishing twist. Recommended for readers with refined literary tastes, and those looking for 'something like' Donna Tartt."
-- Booklist"Intriguing...a solid mystery that keeps the pages turning."
-- Publishers Weekly
Publisher Marketing:
"Much like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M. L. Rio's sparkling debut is a richly layered story of love, friendship, and obsession...will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments."
--Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest
"Nerdily (and winningly) in love with Shakespeare...Readable, smart."
--New York Times Book Review
On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door. Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after ten years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it.A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extras.But in their fourth and final year, good-natured rivalries turn ugly, and on opening night real violence invades the students' world of make-believe. In the morning, the fourth-years find themselves facing their very own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent.If We Were Villains was named one of Bustle's Best Thriller Novels of the Year, and Mystery Scene says, "A well-written and gripping ode to the stage...A fascinating, unorthodox take on rivalry, friendship, and truth."
Review Citations:
- Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2017 pg. 23 (EAN 9781250095282, Hardcover) - *Starred Review
- Publishers Weekly 02/27/2017 (EAN 9781250095282, Hardcover)
- Booklist 03/15/2017 pg. 23 (EAN 9781250095282, Hardcover)
Contributor Bio: Rio, M L
M. L. Rio has worked in bookstores and theatres for years, and is currently pursuing her MA in Shakespeare Studies at King's College London. If We Were Villains is her debut novel.
In the Wild Light | Jeff Zentner
$12.99
Biographical Note:
JEFF ZENTNER is the author of New York Times Notable Book The Serpent King, Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee, and In the Wild Light. He has won the William C. Morris Award, Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, International Literacy Association Award, Westchester Fiction Award, been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and UKLA and was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize and Indies Choice Award. He was a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and an Indies Introduce pick. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son. You can visit him online at jeffzentnerbooks.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times - Buzzfeed - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Chicago Public Library"Redefines friendship as something that must be protected, sacrificed for, and tended to with wisdom, patience, and love." --Ocean Vuong, New York Times bestselling author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
A poignant coming-of-age novel about two best friends whose friendship is tested when they get the opportunity to leave their impoverished small town for an elite prep school. For fans of Looking for Alaska.Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his Papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature. He's been spending his summer mowing lawns while she works at Dairy Queen. But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to an elite prep school in Connecticut, Cash will have to grapple with his need to protect and love Delaney, and his love for the grandparents who saved him and the town he has to leave behind. Jeff Zentner's new novel is a beautiful examination of grief, found family, and young love.
Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee | Jeff Zentner
$11.99
Biographical Note:
Jeff Zentner is the author of The Serpent King, a New York Times Notable Book, winner of the William C. Morris Award, and recipient of many other accolades; and Goodbye Days, named an ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults title. Jeff was a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and an Indies Introduce pick. Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee is his ode to best friends who make things together. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit him at jeffzentnerbooks.com.
"Anyone can break your heart--Jeff Zentner can also make you laugh out loud!" --RAINBOW ROWELL, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Carry On and Eleanor & ParkFrom the Morris Award-winning author of The Serpent King comes a contemporary novel about two best friends who must make tough decisions about their futures--and the TV show they host--in their senior year of high school.Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six.But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show's guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder.Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he'll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too.As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous...and momentous."I laughed, cried, and fell over-the-moon in love with Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee." --JENNIFER NIVEN, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe"A testament to the power of friendship and big dreams, Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee had me laughing aloud on one page and sobbing on the next. A resounding triumph." --NIC STONE, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin"Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee starts as comedy about the wildly imperfect, and ends as poetry about the ever-hoping heart. I don't know how you write that book. Fortunately, Jeff Zentner does." --JESSE ANDREWS, New York Times bestselling author of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Serpent King | Jeff Zentner
$11.99
Biographical Note:
JEFF ZENTNER is the author of New York Times Notable Book The Serpent King, Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee, and In the Wild Light. He has won the William C. Morris Award, Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, International Literacy Association Award, Westchester Fiction Award, been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and UKLA and was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize and Indies Choice Award. He was a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and an Indies Introduce pick. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son. You can visit him online at jeffzentnerbooks.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Named to ten BEST OF THE YEAR lists and selected as a William C. Morris Award Winner, The Serpent King is the critically acclaimed, much-beloved story of three teens who find themselves--and each other--while on the cusp of graduating from high school with hopes of leaving their small-town behind.This gorgeous paperback edition with a full-color step-back cover will have teens everywhere itching to discover the book that everyone is talking about. Perfect for fans of John Green's Turtles All the Way Down."Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you." --The New York Public Library"Will fill the infinite space that was left in your chest after you finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower." --BookRiot.com
Dill isn't the most popular kid at his rural Tennessee high school. After his father fell from grace in a public scandal that reverberated throughout their small town, Dill became a target. Fortunately, his two fellow misfits and best friends, Travis and Lydia, have his back.But as they begin their senior year, Dill feels the coils of his future tightening around him. His only escapes are music and his secret feelings for Lydia--neither of which he is brave enough to share. Graduation feels more like an ending to Dill than a beginning. But even before then, he must cope with another ending--one that will rock his life to the core.Debut novelist Jeff Zentner provides an unblinking and at times comic view of the hard realities of growing up in the Bible belt, and an intimate look at the struggles to find one's true self in the wreckage of the past."A story about friendship, family and forgiveness, it's as funny and witty as it is utterly heartbreaking." --PasteMagazine.com
"A brutally honest portrayal of teen life . . . [and] a love letter to the South from a man who really understands it." --Mashable.com"I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another."--New York Times
In These Hallowed Halls | M.L. Rio
$26.95
ENROLLMENT BEGINS NOWA beguiling, sinister collection of 12 dark academia short stories from masters of the genre, including Olivie Blake, M.L. Rio, Susie Yang and more!In these stories, dear student, retribution visits a lothario lecturer; the sinister truth is revealed about a missing professor; a forsaken lover uses a séance for revenge; an obsession blooms about a possible illicit affair; two graduates exhume the secrets of a reclusive scholar; horrors are uncovered in an obscure academic department; five hopeful initiates must complete a murderous task and much more!Featuring brand-new stories from:
Olivie Blake
M.L. Rio
David Bell
Susie Yang
Layne Fargo
J.T. Ellison
James Tate Hill
Kelly Andrew
Phoebe Wynne
Kate Weinberg
Helen Grant
Tori BovalinoDefinition of dark academia in English:
dark academia
1. An internet subculture concerned with higher education, the arts, and literature, or an idealised version thereof with a focus on the pursuit of knowledge and an exploration of death.
- 2. A set of aesthetic principles. Scholarly with a gothic edge - tweed blazers, vintage cardigans, scuffed loafers, a worn leather satchel full of brooding poetry. Enthusiasts are usually found in museums and darkened libraries.
Contributor Bio: Rio, M L
M. L. Rio has worked in bookstores and theatres for years, and is currently pursuing her MA in Shakespeare Studies at King's College London. If We Were Villains is her debut novel.
Molly's Tuxedo | Vicki Johnson
$18.99
Molly wants to look her best for picture day at her school, and what looks better than a tux?Molly's school picture day is coming up, and she wants to have a perfect portrait taken to hang on their wall. Her mom has picked out a nice dress for her, but Molly knows from experience that dresses are trouble. They have tight places and hard-to-reach zippers, and worst of all, no pockets! Luckily, she has the perfect thing to save picture day--her brother's old tuxedo!But mom doesn't want her to wear a tuxedo in the photo; she thinks Molly looks best in the dress. Can Molly find the courage to follow her heart and get her mom to realize just how awesome she'd look in a tux? This book highlights a gender nonconforming main character and is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.
Community Hub
We believe that a strong community is built on shared stories and ideas. Four Seasons Books is a place where people come together to discuss literature, exchange thoughts, and form connections. Join one of our book clubs or simply linger in our cozy reading nooks for a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Four Seasons Books October 2023 Calendar by Four Seasons Books
Author Events |
Personalized Recommendations |
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At Four Seasons Books, we believe that the magic of books goes beyond the printed page. That's why we host author events, book signings, and readings throughout the year. It's a chance to meet your favorite writers, discover new voices, and gain insights into the creative process. Keep an eye on our event calendar for exciting literary happenings.
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Our knowledgeable and passionate staff is always on hand to offer personalized book recommendations. Whether you're seeking your next great read or the perfect gift, we're here to help you find the right book for the right moment.
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HANG OUT AT THE BOOKSTORE
Stanley Williams | Spotlight Signing | Oct 7 from 1-2pm
These exclusive events are open to all who appreciate the beauty of words and the magic of storytelling. Whether you're a dedicated reader, a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of books, you're warmly invited to join us.
Mark your calendar, prepare your questions, and don't miss the opportunity to be meet our featured authors at Four Seasons Books.
Come with an open heart, leave with an autographed book, and a deeper connection to the world of literature. We can't wait to share unforgettable moments with you!
These exclusive events are open to all who appreciate the beauty of words and the magic of storytelling. Whether you're a dedicated reader, a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of books, you're warmly invited to join us.
Mark your calendar, prepare your questions, and don't miss the opportunity to be meet our featured authors at Four Seasons Books.
Come with an open heart, leave with an autographed book, and a deeper connection to the world of literature. We can't wait to share unforgettable moments with you!
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Join Four Seasons Books as we celebrate the highly anticipated release, Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.
There will be standing refreshments, door prizes, raffles, crafts, and more. Themed activities to celebrate the Four Quadrants: Riders, Healers, Scribes, and Infantry. Cosplay encouraged! The event will start at 7:00pm here at the store. We'll have books available to purchase. |
