{"title":"NE Iowa Book Club","description":"\u003cp\u003eLooking for the latest picks for the NE Iowa Book Club? We've got you covered! An Iowa bookshop, run by a local mom of two, we ship anywhere state- and world-wide! Local to us? We've got lots in store :)\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"9781250266101","title":"Rock Paper Scissors","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eINSTANT\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBESTSELLER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThink you know the person you married? Think again...\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThings have been wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can't recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts - paper, cotton, pottery, tin - and each year Adam's wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn't randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn't want them to live happily ever after.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTen years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRock Paper Scissors\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the next exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e bestselling author Alice Feeney.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Feeney, Alice","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47668072349950,"sku":"9781250266125","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":40449656455343,"sku":"9781250266101","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/files\/Rock_Paper_Scissors_PB.png?v=1767581412"},{"product_id":"9780525564232","title":"The Most Fun We Ever Had","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBEST SELLER\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e- A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e-\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\"A gripping and poignant ode to a messy, loving family in all its glory.\" - Madeline Miller, bestselling author of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eCirce\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this \"rich, complex family saga\" (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) full of long-buried family secrets, Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, blithely ignorant of all that awaits them. By 2016, they have four radically different daughters, each in a state of unrest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWendy, widowed young, soothes herself with booze and younger men; Violet, a litigator turned stay-at-home-mom, battles anxiety and self-doubt; Liza, a neurotic and newly tenured professor, finds herself pregnant with a baby she's not sure she wants by a man she's not sure she loves; and Grace, the dawdling youngest daughter, begins living a lie that no one in her family even suspects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith the unexpected arrival of young Jonah Bendt - a child placed for adoption by one of the daughters fifteen years before - the Sorensons will be forced to reckon with the rich and varied tapestry of their past. As they grapple with years marred by adolescent angst, infidelity, and resentment, they also find the transcendent moments of joy that make everything else worthwhile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon't miss your chance to see author Claire Lombardo as part of the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/beaverdalebooks.com\/dsm-book-festival-2\/\"\u003e2025 Des Moines Book Festival\u003c\/a\u003e on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00AM at the Franklin Events Center!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lombardo, Claire","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46228941734142,"sku":"9780525564232","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":46500952244478,"sku":"9780525564232","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/files\/The_Most_Fun_We_Ever_Had_PB.png?v=1738770290"},{"product_id":"9798989604715","title":"Mildred's Mindset","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWisdom from a Woman Centenarian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMildred's Mindset\u003c\/em\u003e unveils the extraordinary life lessons of Mildred Kirschenbaum, a vibrant centenarian whose global travels, mental agility, and candid advice defy age, offering readers a roadmap for a fulfilling and enduring life.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Mildred Kirschenbaum celebrated her 99th birthday, her daughter Gayle shared a video of her on Instagram, setting off a viral sensation. Gayle, initially using her account for photography, redirected the spotlight to showcase her mother's wisdom and the unique bond they share. The attention grew as Maria Shriver and other major media outlets, including NBC Today's Jenna \u0026amp; Hoda, CBS, and Fox, featured Mildred. Publications like the Daily Mail, Next Avenue, AARP, Yahoo News, and The Sunday Paper also highlighted her inspiring story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eMildred's Mindset: Wisdom from a Woman Centenarian\u003c\/em\u003e, readers embark on a journey through the extraordinary life lessons of a centenarian whose vitality and wisdom defy age. From global travels to fostering mental agility through games and reading, Mildred imparts invaluable insights on nurturing an active mind and leading a vibrant life. Through engaging anecdotes of her adventurous travels and active social life, she reveals the art of savoring every moment, and making new connections, even in the golden years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith candid advice on understanding limitations, adapting lifestyles, and building community, Mildred's unmatched perspective offers a roadmap for a fulfilling and enduring life. Gain wisdom from a woman who, at 100, appears 20 years younger, maintains a sharp intellect, and skillfully manages her financial portfolio. Mildred's Mindset stands as a testament to the power of embracing life's joys, fostering connections, and approaching each day with unwavering zest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book not only delivers life-tested tips but also presents a gallery of photos spanning Mildred's remarkable 100 years of living life to the fullest. Explore the pages for an inspiring glimpse into the mindset that celebrates the richness of life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kirschenbaum, Mildred ; Kirschenbaum, Gayle","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47668074905854,"sku":"9798989604715","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/files\/Mildreds_Mindset.png?v=1767581859"},{"product_id":"9780593499931","title":"The In-Between","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eUnforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eBESTSELLER - Passionate advocate for end-of-life care and TikTok star Hadley Vlahos shares moving stories of joy, wisdom, and redemption from her patients' final moments in this \"brilliant\" (Zibby Owens,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGood Morning America\u003c\/i\u003e) memoir.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTalking about death and dying is considered taboo in polite company, and even in the medical field. Our ideas about dying are confusing at best: Will our memories flash before our eyes? Regrets consume our thoughts? Does a bright light appear at the end of a tunnel? For most people, it will be a slower process, one eased with preparedness, good humor, and a bit of faith. At the forefront of changing attitudes around palliative care is hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos, who shows that end-of-life care can teach us just as much about how to live as it does about how we die.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVlahos was raised in a strict religious household, but began questioning her beliefs in high school after the sudden death of a friend. When she got pregnant at nineteen, she was shunned by her community and enrolled herself in nursing school to be able to support herself and her baby. But nursing soon became more than a job: when she focused on palliative care and hospice work, it became a calling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe In-Between,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVlahos recounts the most impactful experiences she's had with the people she's worked with - from the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter, to the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her - while also sharing her own fascinating journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten with profound insight, humility, and respect, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe In-Between\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a heartrending memoir that shows how caring for others can transform a life while also offering wisdom and comfort for those dealing with loss and providing inspiration for how to live now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vlahos, R.N., Hadley","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":47681194524926,"sku":"9780593499931","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/files\/The_InBetween.png?v=1767986794"},{"product_id":"9789198758733","title":"A Midlife Holiday","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA wonderfully witty and brutally honest story about female friendship.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet Helen.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eShe worries that the walls are closing in. With her children grown and her selfish husband away again, she's full of regrets at not taking the exciting paths she dreamed about in her youth. So when the chance of a last-minute holiday to Cyprus with her two best friends is offered, she grabs it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet Caro. \u003c\/strong\u003eA successful city analyst. Single and childless, she's not in Cyprus for the glorious sunshine and crystal-blue waters. But her secret feels so shameful she can't bring herself to share it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet Kay.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eSandwiched between the needs of a grown-up son with learning difficulties and elderly parents, all she wants to do is sleep in the sun, preferably all week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Caro's secret emerges, tensions between the women explode.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFriendship was easy when they were young, how can it be so hard now?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Midlife Holiday\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the life-affirming first tale in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Midlife Trilogy\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003ewomen's fiction series. Funny, emotional, compassionate and wise, Cary J. Hansson shows us why middle-aged women are only just getting started!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrepare to meet three new friends you'll feel you've known all your life!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hansson, Cary J.","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47683572465918,"sku":"9789198758733","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/files\/A_Midlife_Holiday.png?v=1768072832"},{"product_id":"9781338573183","title":"The Life I'm In","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe powerful and long-anticipated companion to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wanderingraccoonbooks.com\/products\/9781368019439\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Skin I'm In\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, Sharon Flake's bestselling modern classic, presents the unflinching story of Char, a young woman trapped in the underworld of human trafficking.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMy feet are heavy as stones when I walk up the block wondering why I can't find my old self.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wanderingraccoonbooks.com\/products\/9781368019439\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Skin I'm In\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, readers saw into the life of Maleeka Madison, a teen who suffered from the ridicule she received because of her dark skin color. For decades fans have wanted to know the fate of the bully who made Maleeka's life miserable, Char.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow in Sharon Flake's latest and unflinching novel,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Life I'm In\u003c\/i\u003e, we follow Charlese Jones, who, with her raw, blistering voice speaks the truths many girls face, offering insight to some of the causes and conditions that make a bully. Turned out of the only home she has known, Char boards a bus to nowhere where she is lured into the dangerous web of human trafficking. Much is revealed behind the complex system of men who take advantage of vulnerable teens in the underbelly of society. While Char might be frightened, she remains strong and determined to bring herself and her fellow victims out of the dark and back into the light, reminding us why compassion is a powerful cure to the ills of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSharon Flake's bestselling, Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wanderingraccoonbooks.com\/products\/9781368019439\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Skin I'm In\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas a game changer when it was first published more than twenty years ago. It redefined young adult literature by presenting characters, voices, and real-world experiences that had not been fully seen. Now Flake offers readers another timely and radical story of a girl on the brink and how her choices will lead her to either fall, or fly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Flake, Sharon G.","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47821663043838,"sku":"9781338573183","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/files\/The_Life_Im_In.png?v=1772070359"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/1532\/4335\/collections\/NE_Iowa_Book_Club.jpg?v=1767581989","url":"https:\/\/wanderingraccoonbooks.com\/collections\/ne-iowa-book-club.oembed","provider":"Wandering Raccoon Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}