Alexandra Fuller

This Friday, August 26th, we will have the pleasure of hosting Alexandra Fuller for a reading from her brand new memoir, Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness. I remember reading her first memoir, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, which looks on her childhood in Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. It was an absolute delight, and it is still one of my favorite go-to reading recommendations. Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness is both a prequel and a sequel, continuing Alexandra's own story, but its main focus is on her mother, Nicola Fuller. I haven't finished it yet, but Catherine has—read her review in the current issue of BookTalk, Sam Weller's newsletter.

We hope you join us at the Salt Lake City Public Library at 7:00 PM for this wonderful reading and signing.

This event is free and open to the public.

Justin Cronin Reading at the Library!

Join us on Thursday, June 2nd at the Salt Lake City Library's Nancy Tessman Auditorium for a reading with Justin Cronin, author of the New York Times bestselling novel, The Passage.

The Passage became a blockbuster hit when it was published in hardcover. Cronin says of its success, “The Passage taps into a great deal of our shared anxieties about the world we live in. These are fraught times, to put it mildly, and the dangers we face, internal and external, in ourselves and in others, seem like strange new monsters to wrestle with. But at the same time, The Passage is not an unremittingly bleak story. I think we’re all wondering what will redeem us. It’s a hopeful thing to think that it could be something as simple as love for a little girl.”

The Passage is a breathtaking tale of catastrophe and survival and a mesmerizing work of sacrifice and hope. In telling this epic story of a girl given the chance to save humanity, award-winning and highly acclaimed author Justin Cronin’s ambitious vision and powerful prose combine to make The Passage this summer’s most anticipated read.

Join Us!

Tonight (5/27/11) we are proud to welcome author and filmmaker John Sayles to our store! The reading of his new book, A Moment in the Sun, will begin at 7pm with a signing to follow. Please join us - no ticket is required!

Fuzzy Nation

I recently finished reading John Scalzi's latest novel, Fuzzy Nation. Fuzzy Nation is a "reboot" of H. Beam Piper's classic, Little Fuzzy, which is on my reading list, but I haven't gotten to it quite yet.

Jack Holloway is an ex-lawyer turned independent contractor-prospector on the planet Zarathustra, who hits the mother-lode. His cut of the find will make him rich beyond belief. There's only one problem. When he gets home he finds he's been invaded by the cutest little alien creatures. Who seem just a bit too smart to be ignored. You see, ZaraCorp (the mining company he's contracted with) is only allowed to exploit Zarathustra and its fabulous mineral riches because it has no intelligent life, and they want to keep control at all costs.

John Scalzi will be reading from and signing Fuzzy Nation at Sam Weller's Bookstore Wednesday, May 18th at 6:00 PM. Join us!

Katie Arnold-Ratliff event canceled

I am saddened to report that our event with Katie Arnold-Ratiliff, author of Bright Before Us has been canceled.

We extend our apologies to anyone disappointed or inconvenienced by the late notice. We also extend our best wishes to Ms Arnold-Ratliff.

Books — Bringing People Together Since 1450

We people — we social animals — love stories. We're fascinated by the experiences of others; we enjoy sharing our own. Be it around a campfire, in a bar, or (since approximately 1450) in books folks have a lot to share with one another.

The book has added a dimension to the sharing process that literary geeks thrive on: the connection made by a cover, a name, a place, an image, an idea contained by the physical object. We connect with people we never thought we'd know, places we never thought we'd see, experiences we never thought we'd have. Worlds not even of our making can bring us together in strange ways.

I was traveling the week after the sixth Harry Potter book was released. It was everywhere during my travels. Fellow airplane passengers nodded to each other, smiled in recognition of another member of the tribe of Potter, and compared notes careful avoid spoilers. When I found myself weeping at the death of Dumbledore, I paused my reading for a moment to surreptitiously glance around, embarrassed to be crying in public once again. But then I heard tell-tale sniffling coming from the seats behind me and knew I was not alone. Another anecdote: on our first date, my now husband Tony decided I really was a person to get to know when he looked at the books on the shelves in my apartment. Thomas Pynchon may have something to do with our marriage.

So imagine yourself at a dinner, seated at a table with an author and other booksellers. Everyone is telling stories because that's what we humans do. All of a sudden you can bear keeping your secret no longer, so you turn to the author sitting next to you and blurt out, "My Grandfather built your fire tower." The author's mouth drops open. Conversation at the table stops. You explain slowly at first, then the words rush out. And the stories — the connections — begin again. You're trading tales about the cemetery in a little town no one's heard of, an inn keeper's turkey, your grand dad and his time in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). Suddenly you've not only discovered a great new author, you've rediscovered a part of your world long buried and learned more about it from a new friend.

That happened to me last September at a dinner in Denver. I met an author whose isolated job and workplace connects with my family in so many ways it's quite remarkable and very nearly creepy. I began his book thinking I'd read a nice piece of nature writing about a part of the country with which I'm intimate. Instead, I discovered a great book by a wonderful writer who admires many of the authors I do. I reconnected with my past.

The book is Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout by Philip Connors. Your life may have no connection with his work in a New Mexico fire tower. But I bet you'll find a connection with an extraordinary book about a life of solitude in the West. You can meet him here on Saturday, April 9th at 6 p.m.

Click here for the Salt Lake Tribune's interview with Philip.
Click here for the Deseret News article about Fire Season.

Sexual Fluidity, Reviewed

Sexual Fluidity chronicles Lisa M. Diamond's study of 100 young women over the course of 10 years to try to understand the nature of women's love and desire. If you're worried that reading this will be difficult because it's academic, do be, Diamond's writing is accessible and enjoyable to read. In Sexual Fluidity, Diamond delves into the science behind attraction and lust, love and infatuation. She reveals that biology plays as large a part in who we partner with as anything else, and that women's preferences toward one gender or another can fluctuate wildly over the span of a lifetime. Freud touched on this with his Polymorphous Perversity theory stating that children up to the age of five had no sexual preference to one gender or another until they were taught to repress sexuality into socially normal behavior creating heterosexual adults. He may have been on to something, but this was never really studied properly and it was dismissed at the time, like a good portion of Freud's work, because of its perverse nature. Now, in the age of outspoken and accepted homosexuality, a proper study has been done. The findings in Sexual Fluidity probably won't come to a surprise to most women, and it may even help some women understand that they aren't alone in their confusing attractions. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in or curious about gender studies and psychology, which happen to be the two fields Lisa M. Diamond is an Associate Professor of at the University of Utah.

On Thursday, March 31st, at 6pm, Lisa M. Diamond will be joining us in-store to discuss her book Sexual Fluidity. We hope you'll join us (it's free and open to the public!)!

David Sedaris at Sam Wellers!

Only 4 days left until David Sedaris's appearance at Sam Weller's Bookstore, and boy are we excited! Come check out his latest, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk.

The reading is un-ticketed and will begin at 7:00 PM. After the reading, Mr. Sedaris will sign everyone's books. We are issuing free tickets for the signing in order to keep the signing line manageable. Tickets are available now with the purchase of any David Sedaris title from Sam Weller's Bookstore. Tickets will be available without a purchase on Saturday, November 27th.

The Art of Non-Conformity

Sam Weller's will be hosting Chris Guillebeau's Unconventional Book Tour for The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World on Wednesday, November 10th, at 6:00 PM.

In 2008 Chris Guillebeau gained widespread attention for his online manifesto “A Brief Guide to World Domination,” which challenged readers to wake up, join “the living world” and create a passion-oriented life while serving others in a unique way. With his book The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World, Chris seeks to reach even more people and radically shift how readers think about earning a living and making a difference in the world.

To spread the message, Chris will visit all 50 states to meet readers on an “Unconventional Book Tour” between September 2010 and January 2011. Chris has also partnered with Charity: Water to raising $500,000 for wells in two Ethiopian communities. If readers buy his book during the tour, 100% of author royalties will go to the Ethiopia project.

Guillebeau simplifies his goal into one statement: “The mission is to help people live unconventional lives, make their own choices, and change the world.”

The Art of Non-Conformity is a “freedom manifesto” for anyone wanting to break out of an unremarkably average existence to create a meaningful, productive life. As Chris says, “I’m writing for believers, not cynics—and if you make some big changes as a result of the stories and ideas you read here, we will have both succeeded.”

Chris Guillebeau served as a volunteer for a medical charity in West Africa from 2002-2006. After relocated to the U.S. and entering graduate school at the University of Washington, he began actively traveling to countries like Burma, Uganda, Iraq and Pakistan. On his personal quest to visit every country in the world, Chris has currently visited 145 countries (only 47 to go!).

Halloween Reading

And for the grown-up set, author and former Sam Weller's staffer Ben Higginbotham will read from Demonica, also on Saturday, October 30th at 6:00 PM!

Demonica Valios just wants to be normal. But normal doesn't come easy for her. Maybe that's because of the fact that she's half demon. Or maybe it's due to the three-foot long tail that comes along with her origins. But things are about to get weird, even for Demonica. Lately, more and more demons seem to be centering in on New Orleans, but little does she know that something even bigger than she's used to is coming to tow. Something controlled by a single old man, rolling a pair of dice endlessly, and when he releases his fury, all of Hell's fury will come along with it.

Children's Halloween Reading

Children's picture book author Barbie McConnell will be at Sam Weller's Bookstore reading Marsipity on Saturday, October 30th, at 1:00 PM! Come in costume!

Marsipity is an enchanted young lady with bad luck who delights and astounds her best friend, the indispensable Marlin, on the sweetest of all holidays, Halloween Night. A story of friendship, loyalty and giving, Marsipity is about never underestimating the people around you, and the simple joy that comes from thinking of others first.

Danse Macabre

Join us and Gerald Elias as he reads from Danse Macabre, his latest mystery featuring the crusty violin teacher and ex-concertmaster Daniel Jacobus.


Just after his Carnegie Hall swansong and before his imminent departure for retirement in France, beloved violinist and humanitarian Rene Allard is brutally murdered with a mysterious weapon. His young African American rival, crossover artist BTower, is spotted at the scene of the crime hovering over the contorted body of Allard with blood on his hands. In short order the aloof and arrogant BTower is convicted and sentenced to death, in part the result of the testimony of blind and curmudgeonly violin pedagogue Daniel Jacobus, like millions of others, an ardent admirer of Allard. Justice has been served . . . or has it? Jacobus is dragged back into the case kicking and screaming, and reluctantly follows a trail of broken violins and broken lives as it leads inexorably to the truth, and to his own mortal peril.


A graduate of Yale, Gerald Elias has been a Boston Symphony violinist, Associate Concertmaster of the Utah Symphony since 1988, Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Utah, first violinist of the Abramyan String Quartet, and Music Director of the Vivaldi Candlelight concert series.

Chelsea Handler In Store Appearance - Canceled!

August 4, 2010

Dear Sam Weller’s Bookstore customers and Chelsea Handler fans,

We regret to inform you that Chelsea Handler has canceled her appearance at Sam Weller’s Bookstore scheduled for August 6th at 5:00 PM. She will still be appearing at Abravanel Hall, and Sam Weller’s Bookstore will still be handling her book signing after her show.

Fear not! Books are still available for sale right now, but instead of coming to the store for the signing, you will now pick them up at Abravanel Hall to be signed there. Those who do not have tickets for the show will be given wristbands that get you in for the after-show signing at approximately 10:00 PM. If you are unable to come to the later signing, we will have Ms. Handler sign the books for you, and you may either pick them up at the store or have them shipped to you. If you have not already reserved your copy call 801-328-2586 to reserve now.

We regret to be the bearers of bad news.

Willy Vlautin LIVE May 5th at Sam Weller's

Last night we hosted Richmond Fontaine front man Willy Vlautin and guitarist Dan Eccles. Willy read excerpts from his latest novel Lean On Pete, while Eccles strummed the guitar, lending a nice atmosphere to the event. In-between reading, they played music, live in the book store. If Willy’s good natured vibe is contagious, which I believe it is, I’d feel safe saying everyone got something from last nights event. Willy signed copies of his books (which we still have a few of!) and spent time talking with his fans and then played nearly 2 hours at the State Room following the reading. A modest 2 piece, Willy and Dan, played hard, giving a great performance, and again chatting after the show with fans, in the lobby of the State Room. Two down to earth dudes, Willy and Dan, couldn’t have given us a better show.

Tracy Hickman!

Tracy Hickman will be reading and signing Secret of the Dragon in Sam Weller's Bookstore Thursday, April 1st, at 6:00 PM.


What self-proclaimed fantasy nerd (like me!) hasn't read a ton of Weis and Hickman's works? Rose of the Prophet, Death Gate, Darksword, and, of course, Dragonlance!

Here's what TOR has to say about Secret of the Dragon and Tracy Hickman:

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the creative minds behind these incredible worlds, have teamed up again to write an epic new fantasy saga which began with Bones of the Dragon. Now, they return to this exciting new world of the Dragonships with Secret of the Dragon.

With Bones of the Dragon, these two storytelling masters introduced the rich new world of Viking-like warriors who sail the seas in ships powered by dragons in search of untold treasure. When strife and chaos threatens their world, however, they are duty-bound to follow their gods on a fantastic quest that will not only determine the fate of mortals—but the fate of the gods as well.

The action-packed, utterly riveting Secret of the Dragon brilliantly continues the Dragonships of Vindras saga, an epic six-book adventure in which individual mortals will face tests of faith and character, and both gods and dragons will aid, abet, and battle as they see fit—to ensure their own survival.

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman published their first novel in the Dragonlance Chronicles, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, in 1984. Over twenty years later they are going strong, collaborating on more than thirty novels. Alone or together with other co-authors, Weis and Hickman have published more than one hundred books, including novels, collections of short stories, role-playing games, and other gaming products. Margaret Weis lives in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Tracy Hickman lives in Utah.

Author Dan Wells at Sam Weller's Bookstore

We are really pleased to be hosting Dan Wells for the release of his novel I Am Not a Serial Killer. He will be here Tuesday, March 30th, at 6:00 PM to read an excerpt and sign.

Here's a little about the book and Dan.

Fifteen-year-old John Wayne Cleaver does not fit in. His psychiatrist has diagnosed him as “antisocial,” but sometimes he has an inkling that his urges may take a darker turn—into violence and murder. It isn’t just because he grew up in a mortuary or even the fact that he helps his mother clean up dead bodies. Serial killers have long captivated John—while the rest of his classmates write essays on George Washington and John Adams, John writes them on Jeffrey Dahmer and Dennis Radar. Dan Wells’ debut novel, I Am Not a Serial Killer, introduces this curious protagonist who worries that fate is leading him down a dark and deadly path.

How founded are John’s fears? Oddly enough, the similarities between John Cleaver and society’s most disturbed killers are surprisingly uncanny. Not only does he share the same three traits that most serial killers have in common: bed-wetting, pyromania and animal cruelty, but his father’s name is Sam, making him literally the Son of Sam. In addition, his parents saddled him with the same name as John Wayne Gacy, the famous Chicago killer clown, along with the unfortunate last name of a murder weapon (Cleaver). He also works part time for the family business: a mortuary, and the dead bodies both fascinate and comfort him.

Despite his efforts to contain the dangerous monster within, an unnatural death at the local laundromat sparks John’s curious obsession and he feels compelled to investigate. For the first time, John comes across a danger apart from himself, and possibly one that is even more deadly than him . . .

Dan Wells lives in Orem, Utah, with his wife, Dawn, and four young children. This is his first novel. The two sequels are already written and Wells is now researching a new book about paranoia. To learn more about Dan Wells and his work, visit his website at www.fearfulsymmetry.net.

Brandon Sanderson!

One more chance to get a signed copy of The Gathering Storm, volume 12 of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time! Brandon Sanderson will be at Sam Weller's Bookstore to read and sign on Monday, November 2nd, at 6:30 PM. Brandon won't be back in Utah at a signing until mid-December, so this is your last chance for a while!

I've been reading The Wheel of Time since I was 14 years old (1992). I've eagerly awaited every new volume and devoured them as quickly as possible, so I could barely wait until I got home to read The Gathering Storm after I picked mine up on Tuesday, and I'm about halfway through. I'm so thoroughly excited I can hardly stand to be at work rather than curled up in a comfy chair at home.

It's the beginning of the conclusion, and I know that you will love it, too, but you don't have to take my word for it.

Alexandre Poussin, Africa Trek: a beautiful presentation

Cet événement a été incroyable!
We rounded out our week of globe-trotting events on an incredible, inspiring and adventurous note with a presentation by Alexandre Poussin. He and his wife walked on foot the entire length of Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope, ending all the way at the Sea of Galilee in three years. In the end, they found they had discovered as much about the lives and stories of modern-day Africa, and about each other, as humankind’s ancient ancestors. Their documentary series, Africa Trek, is currently airing on KUED sundays at 5pm. Their books, Africa Trek volumes 1 and 2 are available here at Weller's.
All who attended were charmed and impressed with Alexandre, truly an amazing human being.
See more pics of the event here.