All posts by Emily Berg

I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy

July 25, 2023
by Emily Berg

“After growing up watching Jennette McCurdy, this was an insane read! Exposes a lot of filth in the TV/film industry, and sheds light on the complexity of family relationships. Easy to read, hard to swallow.” – Alexander (staff)

* #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * MORE THAN 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD!

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. 

Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.

In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.

Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

Fever in the Heartland – by Timothy Egan

June 10, 2023
by Emily Berg

This is not a crime fiction story it is true.  It tells  how Stephenson, the Grand Dragon of the Klan in 21 states controlled  the police and elections with an eye to the Presidency – preaching hatred for Blacks, Catholics, Jews, and Immigrants.  In 1924 the Klan grew at an alarming rate – even kiddie klans – signs for Klan approved businesses  all taking over the small towns in the Midwest and more until the life of Madge Oberholtzer held him accountable. A powerful book that has a message for us today. – Betty (Volunteer)

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Author visit to Sigsbee!

October 18, 2022
by Emily Berg

S.A. Rodriguez at Sigsbee Charter School
Friday, November 4th 2022 @ 2pm

On Friday, 11/4 author S.A. Rodriquez will visit Sigsbee to discuss her book Treasure Tracks with students.

Order your copy of Treasure Tracks here by Tuesday November 1st (11:49pm ET) to have your copy available for the author to sign at the event at Sigsbee on the 4th. (Select “in-store pick up” and we will deliver to the school the day of the event). Use coupon code SIGS15 to save 15%.

ORDER NOW

Orders received after 11/1 will be delivered to the school before Thanksgiving break.

To purchase a copy of the book at the event bring cash or check (payable to Books & Books) for $20, includes tax.

Twelve-year-old Fernando “Fin” joins his grandfather on a secret quest to find a long-lost treasure swept to sea. But when their first mission takes a near-deadly turn, leaving his abuelo weak and unable to speak, Fin’s left to navigate the hunt alone. Well, not exactly alone—his boring, totally unadventurous dad agrees to help out. With danger lurking at every turn, Fin dives into the mission in order to save Abuelo’s life. But between Dad’s constant worrying, unwanted diving babysitters, and harrowing encounters in the deep sea, the boy finds himself in a race against time to locate the treasure. If he can’t succeed? He fears he might lose Abuelo for good.

Author Visit to HOB!

October 4, 2022
by Emily Berg

S.A. Rodriguez at HOB
Friday, November 4th 2022 @ 10am

On Friday, 11/4 author S.A. Rodriquez will visit HOB to discuss her book Treasure Tracks with students.

Order your copy of Treasure Tracks here by Tuesday November 1st (11:49pm ET) to have your copy available for the author to sign at the event at HOB on the 4th. (Select “in-store pick up” and we will deliver to the school the day of the event). Use coupon code HOB15 to save 15%.

ORDER NOW

Orders received after 11/1 will be delivered to the school before Thanksgiving break.

To purchase a copy of the book at the event bring cash or check (payable to Books & Books) for $20, includes tax.

Twelve-year-old Fernando “Fin” joins his grandfather on a secret quest to find a long-lost treasure swept to sea. But when their first mission takes a near-deadly turn, leaving his abuelo weak and unable to speak, Fin’s left to navigate the hunt alone. Well, not exactly alone—his boring, totally unadventurous dad agrees to help out. With danger lurking at every turn, Fin dives into the mission in order to save Abuelo’s life. But between Dad’s constant worrying, unwanted diving babysitters, and harrowing encounters in the deep sea, the boy finds himself in a race against time to locate the treasure. If he can’t succeed? He fears he might lose Abuelo for good.

NEW WINDOWS FOR BOOKS & BOOKS

August 1, 2022
by Emily Berg

Books & Books at the Studios is currently closed for browsing as we upgrade the store windows. Staff will be available daily from 10am to 6pm during the closure to help customers by phone, email and to assist with pick-up orders. Please keep an eye on our social media accounts and on this website for updates and reopening announcements.

Our online store is always open and as a reminder we delivery to Key West and Stock Island, Monday through Friday. Look for the availability status “On Our Shelves Now” for books that are in stock and ready to be delivered.

GMA Book Club Selection author Kirthana Ramisetti

January 2, 2022
by Emily Berg

On Thursday Jan. 20th Books and Books @ the Studios welcomed Kirthana Ramisetti, author of the bestselling debut novel Dava Shastri’s Last Day – the Good Morning America December Book Club selection.

The live event has passed but you can watch the recording below and then pick up your copy at the store or by clicking here.

WATCH THE EVENT RECORDING

RAMISETTI ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA

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About the Book

Dava Shastri, one of the world’s wealthiest women, has always lived with her reputation in mind. When she is diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of seventy, she decides to take her death—like all matters of her life—into her own hands.

Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries. As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work. Instead, her “death” reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever. And now the whole world knows, including her children.

In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with every decision that has led to this moment—and make peace with those closest to her before it’s too late. Compassionately written and full of humor and heart, this powerful debut novel examines private versus public legacy, the complexities of love, and the never-ending joys—and frustrations—of family.

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About the author: 

As a former entertainment reporter for Newsday and the New York Daily News, Kirthana Ramisetti has written her fair share of stories about the lives (and deaths) of the rich and famous. She has a master’s degree in creative writing from Emerson College, and her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, TODAY.com, and elsewhere. Dava Shastri’s Last Day is her first novel, and she lives in New York City.

Eliza Nellums: 2 ways to meet the author!

November 9, 2021
by Emily Berg

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 
VIRTUAL EVENT ON ZOOM – 6-6:30PM EASTERN TIME
IN-PERSON LAUNCH PARTY – 6:30-8PM EASTERN TIME

On Thursday December 9th Books & Books welcomed author Eliza Nellums virtually and in-person. For those who wish to joined us virtually Nellums appeared via zoom from 6pm to 6:30pm (eastern time) to discuss her new book The Bone Cay.

After we concluded the virtual event an outdoor launch party was held in the courtyard of the Carriage Trade house, next door to The Studios, at 529 Eaton Street. The launch party was a chance for guests to meet with Nellums, ask any questions, have their book signed.

You can register for the either the zoom or in-person events (or both!) below.

THIS EVENT HAS ENDED

WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE ZOOM EVENT HERE

BUY THE BOOK

About the Book

Magda Trudell is the present-day caretaker of Whimbrel Estate, the Key West home of the famous poet Isobel Reyes. Isobel’s suicide at the residence in 1918 has nearly overshadowed her creative legacy–but Magda, a botanist and avid historian, is determined to protect it. Over the past decade, Magda has lovingly restored the house to the exact condition Isobel would have known. And even though a fierce October hurricane is headed straight for the Keys, she isn’t about to abandon her life’s work to evacuate.

As the mighty storm makes landfall, the dangers mount. First, a fire and flood threaten to destroy the house. Then the storm claims most of Magda’s supplies. When part of the house collapses, she unearths an old steamer trunk in the rubble that contains a woman’s remains. Is there more to Isobel’s story than Magda knows?

The unexpected appearance of a teenage girl and her father seeking shelter from the storm poses unnerving new questions. Are they really who they seem? And could they have a connection to the house’s shadowy past? As the storm rages, Magda desperately tries to solve the real mystery of Isobel’s death–and keep the living in one piece.

Click here to purchase The Bone Cay.

About the Author

Raised in the Detroit suburbs, Eliza Nellums now lives with her cat outside Washington DC. Her first novel, All That’s Bright and Gone, was praised in the Washington Post and RealSimple Magazine. She is a member of the Metro Wriders, a weekly critique group that meets in Dupont Circle. An amateur botanist and avid gardener, she divides her time between plants, books, and cats. Visit her at ElizaNellums.com.

GREAT WORKS SPEAKING COMPETITION

September 8, 2021
by Emily Berg

Bring the written words to life through the power of reading and performance!

Books & Books at the Studios presents
The Great Works Speaking Competition.
 
Open to High School Students the Florida Keys.
Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place contestants.
Registration has now closed for the 2021 competition.

We hope you’ll join us in watching this year’s competitors.
The competition is open to the public.

Saturday 10/16 at 2pm (Alternative Rain date: Sunday 10/17 at 2pm)
at The Studios of Key West – HUGH’S VIEW Rooftop Terrace (533 Eaton Street, Key West, FL)

Select a work of writing from one of the authors listed below (all of whom have lived or worked in the Florida Keys). Participants may chose works from authors not listed below but will be judged on the works connection to Key West and the Florida Keys.

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.”
-Aldous Huxley

On competition day each contestant will present their prepared reading as follows: Introduce themselves, their school, their author and selection, give a brief back ground and lead in to what the excerpt will be. Then they read it; a three-to- four-minute passage. No props or costumes, but with feeling and a nuanced voice.

This is a reading competition so contestants will not be memorizing their work but rather reading directly from the page. A group of Judges will access each contestant based on series of criteria ranging from their Reasons for Selecting that particular piece to Eye contact and stage presence.

“When you’re performing, you’re creating a moment.”
-Erykah Badu

Participants receive a Letter of Recognition and a line on their college resume, just for participating. The highest scoring readers will win cash prizes: 

$750 – 1st place 
$500 – 2nd place
$250 – 3rd place 

Suggested Authors:

  • Elizabeth Bishop
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Ralph Ellison
  • Robert Frost
  • Ernest Hemingway
  • John Hersey
  • Alison Lurie
  • Jose Marti
  • Harry Mathews
  • Joy Williams
  • Tennessee Williams
  • Other (contestants will be judged of their selections connection to Key West and/or the Florida Keys)

Register Online Now

Registration has now closed for the 2021 competition.

This event is made possible by the generous donation of Fred and Joanne Klein.