THE BOOK TALK IS NOW SOLD OUT — BUT you can join Maria for a casual meet and greet and book signing after the event at 12pm. Join me this International Women’s Day, March 8th at 11am, for a book chat with Maria Sophocles, MD to discuss her recent book “The Bedroom Gap.” A roadmap for midlife women, couples, clinicians, and anyone wanting to understand – and change – how we age, sexually speaking. Maria has spent decades researching and treating women in menopause, and speaks regularly all over the world. She also happens to be an old family friend of mine and I begged her to come speak to us — so be sure to join me for this very special event! Don’t be shy — get over here and let’s talk about this fresh hell together!

Every Monday from 2-3pm join us for a little writing, a little creativity, a little community. Pop by and visit with us and find a quiet moment for yourself. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are even better so we know how much we should set up!

Join long time folk-singer David Bernz and and his son Jacob Bernz for a readings, stories and music from Pete Seeger on March 14th at 3pm. Free and open to all. Books will be on sale for signing and purchase. Please RSVP to save a seat.

Beam paint cards and travel cards are back in stock! We love these for people using beam paints for the first time or getting acquainted with watercolors in general. Such a special treat. Come have a look.

Join Spenser on March 21st at 2pm for a discussion of “Carole King” by Jane Eisner. “Journalist and author Jane Eisner places King's life in historical and cultural context, revealing details of her humble beginnings in Jewish Brooklyn, the roots of her musical genius, her four marriages, and her anguish about public life. Drawing on numerous interviews as well as historical and contemporary sources, this book brings to life King's professional accomplishments, her personal challenges, and her lasting contributions to the great American songbook.”

New from Emily Lex a “Fairytale” paint workbook. So so cute - for all ages. I press your littles by learning how to paint their favorite fairytale scenes.

We always feel lucky to be nominated as a Best of Westchester category and this year we’re listed under Best Bookstore and Best Children’s Books - if you have a minute to give us a vote, we’d appreciate it! Thanks to Westchester Magazine for highlighting the best in local stores, restaurants, and things to do! Always an issue we love to read! Click here to vote.

As many of you see from following Pete and I on our adventures across the US (@gretchsploration) we are HUGE proponents of our country’s National and State parks. The Trump administration has been weakening the Parks system throughout the country and stealing back lands, allowing for commerce, and going against environmental rulings set to protect them, sneaking through changes under “border protections,” firing park staff and other under the radar actions. The Trump administration is yet again considering a Big Border Wall project - now in Big Bend National Park. Locals do NOT want the wall and from most reports think it’s unnecessary. Big Bend National Park in Texas is surrounded by massive cliffs and mountains and desert. Crossing here is very difficult and a wall will do more to mar the beautiful scenery, hurt local species, and water sources, disrupt local commerce and kill off small towns that depend on tourism than it will keep migrants out. Please consider signing this petition from local businesses and speaking up about yet another national park in danger of coming on the Trump chopping block. Read more about the local concerns here and sign and spread the word. As a local told me — we can try to fight this, but in such a small town we’d get about 20 people standing around with signs — help us let people know about this issue!

Next on the Monday Blues Break schedule is a Mini Book Making Workshop - join Sara for a little book love and make your own mini books - then join Hannah the next week to a writing exercise with a short story prompt to keep the creative juices flowing. Each week on Mondays we will be hosting either a creative prompt or a writing prompt! Join us every Monday at 2pm for some brain fun for adults! Free and open to walk ins or RSVP below to let us know you are coming. *Workshops are free, but please support the store by purchasing supplies, barista drinks, or tipping the staff so that we can continue to offer events at no charge.

Looking to jumpstart or restart a creative writing practice? Join multi-genre writer/writing coach and new Katonah resident, Sammi LaBue for a mini version of the flagship course that put her Fledgling Writing Workshops on the map as one of New York City's best writing workshops according to Timeout New York. In these three generative sessions, we'll invite inspiration to us rather than waiting for it to strike like lightning, using objects, photos, and other sensory prompts. Each session will feature two dynamic writing sprints followed by opportunity to share out and get immediate feedback from Sammi and the group. Sammi teaches with an Amherst style of workshop leadership, which means all feedback on freshly written material is positive (what is working well) with the intention of helping you lean in to your one, unique voice and find what your just-written pieces might want to become. This workshop is for writers of all levels and genres looking to develop tons of ideas and content or simply get some thoughts out on the page. Let’s spend Thursday mornings fostering our creativity with a like-minded community and end March with buds of poems, journal entries, and story starts to bloom us into spring.

Next dates! Sign up below! Join Theresa Turetsky for Angel Card Readings. Next dates available March 1 and March 22 from 11am to 3:15pm. $75/half hour. RSVP a MUST, no Refunds or cancellations. Fill out the form below and I will email to schedule and for payment.

Mah Jongg: Beginner’s Classes

Tuesdays in March 10:30-12:30
In Person upstairs at the Katonah Reading Room in our special event space

Bam! Crack! Dot! Learn the American version of this fascinating ancient game of skill and chance. Mah Jongg is typically played with four people. * We must get four people to sign up to teach so payment will not be requested until the class is full…

Come browse our activity books for in the car, waiting for appointments, or for when you’re watching the big game. Grab activity books and games and art supplies for kids and find your quiet moment.

We have an amazing and cozy rental space now open. Perfect for small gatherings for meetings or showers or book clubs or workshops and much more. Email g@katonahbooks.com to discuss! * All regular seating continues to be open in the Speakeasy - this is a private space for rent.

Introducing our newest community gathering - our Monday Blues Break. Every Monday from 2-3pm we will be gathering in the new event space for crafting and writing and chatting and more. This week we will be crafting book paper roses in honor of Valentine’s Day. Pop in and make a little something for yourself or for a friend. $5 to cover supplies, no RSVP necessary. Just stop by and join in.

More Emily Lex workbooks back on the shelves including this new release, “Spring”, as well as a refresh of books we sold out of including books with illustrations of woodland animals, farms, camping, flowers, fruit, bouquets, animals and birds. The absolute best way to learn watercolor painting.

Grab a blind date with a book from our upstairs used book section. Enjoy some of our favorites, all gently used and priced for you to treat YOURSELF. Happy Galentine’s Day friends. Each book $14.

Gwen Krosnick — exuberant cellist, Columbia professor, local insatiable reader and tea drinker — returns to the Reading Room for a Saturday morning solo cello program on February 21st at 10am. The music will be a signature-Gwen mix of ancient gems and new revelations: Bach’s ferocious, tumultuous C minor Suite; twentieth-century works, beloved from her childhood, by Donald Martino and Milton Babbitt; and a poetic, puckish virtuoso piece by the magnificent, living-legend Afro-Cuban composer Tania León. This program is free and will be held in our separate upstairs event space.

Out on Tuesday! A totally accessible book about Menopause and the changes it brings to relationships and quality of life for women. The Bedroom Gap is like a chat with a friend, an older sister, a caring clinician. Come grab your copy and save the date for a chat with Dr Maria Sophocles on International Women’s Day, March 8th here at the Reading Room starting at 11am. We can’t wait to get into this one with you.