About this Event
In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone with author Randy Susan Meyers, in conversation with Jenna Blum.
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RSVP to let us know you're coming! Depending on the volume of responses, an RSVP may be required for entrance to the event. You will also be alerted to important details about the program, including safety requirements, cancellations, and book signing updates. In the event that we reach capacity and have to close RSVPs, there will not be a waiting list.
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Books will be available for purchase at the event, but you can ensure that you get a copy by preordering on this page. You can pick your book up after 6:30PM on the day of the event.
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When possible, events are livestreamed. Check out our store YouTube channel for livestream updates. No registration is required for the livestream.
The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone
Seven Children. Five Mothers. One idyllic commune. What could go wrong?
Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. Her story begins in 1964 with her journey to Freedom Summer in Mississippi, where the disappearance of her first love ignites a lifelong fight for justice. Years later, she, her husband, and four other couples form a Boston political collective where they live together with their children in a rambling Boston house. As the era's social upheaval intensifies, they move their children to a Vermont Eden, where they can remain safe from the world's threats; their parents continue their political work, taking turns traveling to Vermont to care for the children.
But not all danger comes from the outside.
Annabel's daughter, Ivy, yearns for normalcy, not the patchouli-soaked, natural-food-laden confines of Vermont. But mostly, she longs for Annabel's attention-until a cataclysmic event alters the course of all their lives and she learns the limits of her many mothers and fathers.
The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone delves into the intricate and nuanced dance of familial love and communal ties through the lens of sociopolitical upheaval from the 1960s to the present day, examining which sacrifices are worth the price.
Randy Susan Meyers, recognized by the Massachusetts Council of the Book for her “captivating and distinctive voice captivated readers and leaves them yearning for more,” has had three novels named “Mass Book Award Must Read Books.” Her novels delve into domestic drama, societal issues, and cultural nuances, influenced by her extensive work with community, nonprofit, and governmental agencies. Featured in major publications such as People, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Star Tribune, and Miami Herald, her work has earned an Indie Next Pick and a Kirkus starred review, ranking among their 10 Best Books of the Year.
Jenna Blum is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of novels Those Who Save Us, The Stormchasers, and The Lost Family; the novella “The Lucky One” in the collection Grand Central; and memoir Woodrow on the Bench, about her senior black Lab and what his last seven months taught her, now in paperback from Harper Collins. For more about Jenna, please visit her at www.jennablum.com.
We are one of New England’s premier independent bookstores, family-owned and locally run since 1961. We offer an extensive selection of new, used, and bargain books; unique, beautiful gifts; award-winning events series; and specialty foods. Every day, we strive to foster community through the written word, represent a diverse range of voices and histories, and inspire conversations that enrich our lives. Find more at brooklinebooksmith.com!
EVENT ACCESSIBILITY
This event will take place at street level. If possible, the event will be livestreamed to YouTube. ASL interpretation may be provided (based on the availability of interpreters) but must be requested at least 2 weeks in advance of the event. Seats are limited. Please email us at [email protected] as soon as possible if you require ASL interpretation, guaranteed seating, or other accommodations. We will do our best to serve your needs!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard Street, Brookline, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 35.97