News

Hello! 

Our staff has been working on updating our website to make it easier to find the books you need. Today, there is a new "Kids and Young Adults" part of our main menu. We will be working over the next few days to expand this tab to bring you our staff recommendations for kids of all ages. 

This includes some exciting new pages, such as: 

Homeschooling Resources: We have a number of different supplementary resources available to help transition to learning from home. We have created new lists of these resources that we have at the store or that we can order. It's separated into two groups to make it easier to navigate between age groups: Preschool - 6th grade, and 7th - 12th grade. These lists are also avaliable if you hover over the tab under “Kids & YA”. 

Kids Indie Next List: We usually carry this list in the store, but now you can browse it from the comfort of your home. Find books reviewed and selected by booksellers from around the country. It's a great resource for finding new reading materials for your young reader at home. 

Staff Recommendations: We will be updating age appropriate pages to include materials our staff have picked as their favorites. This will range from 0-5, 6-11, 12-14, and 14+. We look forward to sharing our recommendations with you. 

We are still working hard to get your orders done in a safe and timely manner, but due to everything taking longer than it used to -- from our suppliers to shipping times to our own processes, please be patient and allow a few extra days. If you would like to request a book for delivery or mail, please email us at staff@countrybookshelf.com or order it through the website! At this time, this is the best and most reliable way to reach us. Our staff members will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you! You are all the best and we appreciate all the support the community has given us during this time. 

Sincerely,

Country Bookshelf Staff

Claire L is a reading machine - or there are just an amazing amount of good books coming out this summer. Check out her review below!

Lou has always longed for something more than her life in Penlyn, but she has never known exactly what she was searching for. That is until she becomes entranced with the Cardew House. Every so often, people in elegant attire drive over to the Cardew House for that night’s festivities. Curious as to what the parties are like, Lou sneaks over to the house one evening. Unexpectedly, she ends up making the acquaintance of Robert Cardew who seems to have an air of mystery and intrigue about him. The following day, Lou receives an invitation from his sister Caitlin, inviting her to their next gathering. Suddenly, Lou is thrown into the glamorous lives of the Cardews. As she spends more and more time at the house, she begins to learn more about this opulent world, and in turn, herself.

Complete with glamor, parties, and secrets, as well as a spark of romance, A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood is exciting and compelling to read. Set during 1929 in England, flapper dresses and suits describe the sophisticated appeal of the Cardews’ events. One of my favorite aspects of the book is that the story is told from the perspective of Lou, an outsider to the glitzy world. Her thoughts and observations invite the reader to join in the lavish summer schedule of the Cardews. In addition to Lou, there is a cast of interesting characters that are simultaneously fun and mysterious. The result is of new friendships and romances that guide Lou through an exciting lifestyle so different from her own. A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood is an enjoyable read reminiscent of my favorite elements of The Great Gatsby. 

Claire L is reading up a storm! Check out this review:

Alice is in Paris for the summer with her parents to view the apartment her grandmother left her. As she explores the elegant rooms of the apartment, Alice discovers a family never talked about by her grandmother. The biggest mystery is of Adalyn, her grandmother’s sister. When Alice looks through Adalyn’s desk, she finds a diary that begins in 1940—the beginning of Germany’s occupation of France during WWII. Adalyn, a teenager in 1940, is terrified when Germany invades France. Frustrated when it seems no one is fighting for France, Adalyn joins a resistance group to do everything she can for her country. Told through interweaving perspectives, The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor unravels Adalyn’s remarkable story.

Taylor’s effective weaving of Alice and Adalyn’s stories creates an impactful reading experience. The details that Alice uncovers in Adalyn’s diary coincide with the moment Adalyn is living through, making each revelation more meaningful. Together, the reader is able to piece together the truth behind Adalyn’s actions. Taylor’s powerful writing and the way she develops the story of both girls is moving. As well, the poignant remembrance of the bravery of the many Resistance members is a reminder that there are always people who are fighting for what is right even in the most difficult of times. The Paper Girl of Paris is an important story inspired by the courageous Resistance of WWII.

Claire L is hyped for the new Kiera Cass novel - check out her review below.

Ever since catching the attention of King Jameson, Hollis has been waiting for his attention to shift to another girl. To her surprise, the King finally seems to have settled on who will be his queen, Hollis. At first, Hollis is pleased that the King has chosen her. Unlike the girls before her, she has the privilege to join him on outings, wear specially chosen jewels, and even move into the Queen’s apartments. But as her world becomes more glamorous, Hollis realizes that being Queen is not all it is made out to be, especially when she makes the acquaintance of someone who can promise her a life where she can be her whole self.

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass is a fresh take on stories centered around the Crown. Set in the 1500s, the glamour of gowns, jewels, and courting are the backdrop to this intriguing book. More than a story about the elegance of royalty, The Betrothed questions and challenges the role a Queen plays in her marriage. I appreciated the feminist undertones that are especially present in thoughtful Hollis, who dares to change her fate. Furthermore, the unexpected friendships that develop add to the overall appeal of the story and allow the reader to see the opulence of royalty in a new light. Kiera Cass’ return with The Betrothed is triumphant with her care in writing perceptive characters and glamorous settings.

Claire L has caught the Shadowhunter bug and is diving in with The Infernal Devices Series! Check our her review of book #1 in the series below.

When Tessa Gray travels to London to visit her brother, she discovers that he is missing. Suddenly, Tessa is thrown into a world she never knew existed: a world of danger. In this world, Shadowhunters, descendents of the Angel Raziel, battle demons to save the human race. Guiding Tessa through this confusing new world are Shadowhunters Will and Jem. Together, they race to find her brother and unravel the secrets that have entrapped him. As she learns about her new environment, Tessa learns more about herself.

Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel, the first book in The Infernal Devices trilogy, the prequel to The Mortal Instruments series, is set in the late 1800s in London. The fantastical and historical elements of the story work to create a lush world in which the reader is quickly immersed. Although this is not Clare’s first book about the Shadowhunters, her consistent and detailed world-building allows new readers to be able to begin with this new trilogy and still understand the intricacies of the Shadowhunter world. Furthermore, Clare’s technique of incorporating serene moments in between intense fighting helps balance the story. She also begins to develop possible romances that further engage the reader. Cassandra Clare’s expertly crafted Clockwork Angel integrates rich story lines and compelling characters, making it hard for the reader to leave this magical world.

Here's more from Marly B - 

After Lydia’s terminally ill mother dies, she is uprooted from her home and moves in with her Aunt Brat in a tiny farming town in Connecticut. As she adjusts, a beautiful yellow dog finds its way into the home of Lydia’s new family. The dog whines all night when crated, pees on rugs, has found a way to slip out of his collar, and proves to be a general nuisance. Lydia expects the dog to figure out how to behave eventually, but he’s not showing any signs of improving. The key to training him could be knowing his past, but with only the phone number of his old owner, Lydia will have to do a bit more digging to find out where the dog that stole her heart came from.

After reading Leslie Connor’s previous book, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, I had fairly high expectations for A Home for Goddesses and Dogs. Conner absolutely destroyed them and wrote an amazing book centered around grief and growing up. It felt like a breath of fresh air with its amazing characters and beautiful plot. 

One of the first things I notice about A Home for Goddesses and Dogs is that the cast is almost entirely female. The second thing I noticed is all of the female characters are incredibly fleshed out and diverse. I don’t think I could name a middle-grade book that comes close to having better written females. The characters' interactions with each other are hilarious and realistic and just lovely in general. The relationships throughout were very tender and heartwarming which was helped by the brilliant character designs and developments. Also, the fact that there was no mean-girl troupe was appreciated greatly. We need tons more books with healthy female relationships and this book covers that very very well, both with Lydia’s parental figures and her friendships with the other girls at her school.

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs handles grief in a pretty unique way. Since Lydia’s mother was terminally ill, Lydia already had time to come to terms with her death for the most part, so it mostly handles adjusting after a loved one dies. It shows Lydia missing her mom, but it also shows her learning to form relationships with the new adults in her life. It deals with grief in a way that feels very real, showing it as an adjustment in life rather than an end to it. 

I give Leslie Conner so much respect for writing realistic preteen/teen conversations. Authors have a tendency to either make preteens sound like preschoolers or tiny fifty-year-olds, but Conner definitely avoided that. Not only does she write teens well, she writes thirteen-year-olds well. The discussions Lydia has with her friends feel like things my friends and I would have talked about when we were thirteen. She totally captures that weird between middle and highschool stage perfectly and brilliantly.  

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs is a book everyone should consider reading. It’s heartwarming and hilarious and just amazing in general. Despite its subject matter, it’s really a pretty happy read. I give A Home for Goddesses and Dogs a 4.75/5. Go read it!

Dear Bookshelf Family,

You are the best! Thank you for all the orders you’ve placed and the lovely notes and kind words you’ve shared with us this last week. You make us blush! We love being your go-to source for everything literary, and that’s not going to change. 

However, there are a few changes to how we will get books and other goodies to you in the next few weeks. Starting Saturday, March 28, our doors will be closed, but our website and email will be open. You can order books online and we will ship them to your house. Visit countrybookshelf.com or email staff@countrybookshelf.com. If you are interested in some of the non-book items -- cards, games, puzzles, kids activities -- that are not on the website, email us, and we will be your personal shoppers. We will not be answering the phones, but we will be happy to still make recommendations and give you all the service you love from our stellar booksellers. 

Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, we are giving our booksellers a much needed rest, and then we will start filling orders again on Monday. Please do continue to place orders over the weekend, but our staff will not be monitoring email or social media these two days, so just be patient with us as we rest and regroup. We will get back to all of you and fill all orders as soon as possible. We are honored to be part of this amazing community. Be good to each other, and stay safe and well. 

Much love, 

Country Bookshelf Staff: Ariana, Anna, Kasey, Jessica, Harry, Kathy, Wendy, Kaycee, Maris, and Nora

Dear Bookshelf Friends,

We are so grateful for your support now and always. After careful consideration, we have closed the store to browsing. Currently, our desk remains open for pick up orders, but we’d really rather meet you on the curb, deliver to your home in Bozeman, or ship your order. We are offering $1 Media Mail shipping on books nationwide.

We are still answering the phones from 10am-6pm daily (although sometimes you may have to try more than once if our lines are busy), and you can order on our website 24 hours a day: countrybookshelf.com.

We are happy to be your personal shoppers, too, if you don’t quite know what you want or if you just want a lovely surprise. Call or email with your request and one of our amazing booksellers will take care of you. Please note that many of our gift, game, puzzle, and stationery items are not listed on our website, but a call or an email can make all of these accessible to you. We have great kid’s activities and puzzles for all ages to keep everyone entertained!

Please continue to safely support all of the wonderful local businesses that make Bozeman such an amazing community. We are here because of you. And together we can be strong.

How to reach us:

Phone: 406-587-0166

Email: staff@countrybookshelf.com

Website: countrybookshelf.com

Facebook: facebook.com/countrybookshelf

Instagram: instagram.com/countrybookshelf

In Literary Solidarity,

Ariana and the Country Bookshelf Staff

Dear Readers,

Starting tomorrow (Thursday, March 19th), we will shorten our hours to 10am-6pm daily. We’ve been rockin’ with the deliveries, curbside pickup and $1 Media Mail. Keep your orders coming! If at some point we must close, we will do our best to continue these services. 

Your support during this time really helps us keep operating, and we can’t tell you how important that is for the long haul. We’ve received so many kind messages of love and support which mean the world to us. Thank you! We are your community bookstore here to support you in any way we can. And we seriously love you and are so impressed in all the ways folks are helping each other. 

Keep checking our emails and social media for updates, entertainment, and links to great bookish content to keep you lit.

In Literary Solidarity,

Ariana and the Country Bookshelf Staff

Dear Bookshelf Friends,

In the midst of worldwide upheaval, we wanted to reach out and let you know that Country Bookshelf is taking a comprehensive approach to keeping our community safe while still providing the power of stories to comfort, enlighten, and entertain. 

Here’s what we’re doing:

1. Cleaning: While we have always kept a solid cleaning regimen and hand sanitizer for staff, we are increasing the frequency of sanitizing throughout the store, and we have hand sanitizer available for staff and customers at the front counter. Our bathrooms are also well-stocked with hand soap and warm water. 

2. Shipping, Delivery & Curbside Pickup: We are now offering $1 Media Mail shipping in the U.S. on all book orders. Free delivery to your doorstep within Bozeman daily. If the book is in stock, we will deliver orders received by 2pm that day. Orders not in stock will be delivered as soon as we receive more stock, usually 2-3 business days. If you live in Livingston, we will deliver to a central drop-off point 2-3 times per week. Curbside pickup: pay for your order online or over the phone and select Curbside. We’ll let you know once your order is ready, and then you just call us when you are parked on our block, and we’ll bring it to your vehicle. If you haven’t tried ordering books on our website, now is a great time! 

3. Staff: Our booksellers are being encouraged to stay home if they feel unwell, and we are offering additional paid sick leave to all staff. Some staff are working from home when possible. But those healthy staff who are here are eager to recommend great books whether you choose to come in or give us a call.

4. Events: Our only author event remaining in March, the book launch for Betsy Gaines Quammen’s American Zion, has been postponed, but we do have books in stock, and we can get them signed if you want to get your copy and read it right away. We will let you know as soon as we are able to schedule a new date. Book clubs are still happening since we can hold them while letting people remain a safe distance from one another, and we know that some of you will be looking for a little social interaction. However, please stay home if you are unwell or needing to take extra precautions. April events are still currently scheduled, but we will be communicating with authors and publishers and evaluating these on a daily basis and will announce any additional cancellations or postponements via social media. We will not schedule any additional events for April or May at this time. 

We hope that all our readers are doing everything they can to stay safe and keep our community healthy. We believe that books and stories are essential in times of crisis, and that as a community we are strong and will care for one another. Country Bookshelf is here to help in any way that we can. 

Happy reading,

The Country Bookshelf Team

Edit 3/16/2020: All March Book Clubs including the Country Bookshelf Book Club, Young Adult Book Club, and the Wonderlust Mystery Book Club have been canceled.