Whistlestop Bookshop

Whistlestop Bookshop Independent when born in 1985, getting more independent ever since. Books and gifts all hand-chosen

Books and gifts all hand-chosen with thoughtful people in mind.

Because of a conversation with Chad Bruce about Omni magazine (1978-1995), I am reading "Why Dolphins Don't Bite" by The...
08/17/2026

Because of a conversation with Chad Bruce about Omni magazine (1978-1995), I am reading "Why Dolphins Don't Bite" by Theodore Sturgeon (1918-1985), one of his last stories which was serialized in three parts in 1980. We found it was later collected in the final volume (13th) of The Complete Stories of Theodore Sturgeon, so we each went home to pull our copies to follow up our conversation. No money or books changed hands. This is a fun part of bookselling. And here we have the Sturgeon Moon this month. I can't wait to tell Chad.

This is an interesting interview with Ian McEwan's publisher and Ian McEwan himself.  I was struck by the good idea in t...
08/17/2026

This is an interesting interview with Ian McEwan's publisher and Ian McEwan himself. I was struck by the good idea in the UK to have McEwan's Atonement taught in high school. I would think that's the perfect age to introduce it. McEwan throws in something provocative at the end, too. 'For his part, he takes issue with the “endlessly subjective nature” of some contemporary fiction. Today’s writers, he feels, would do good to “try and name the world and take a position on it, with a view to—not quite persuading—but just opening up the major moral questions of our time.” '

In time for the 25th anniversary of Atonement, the publisher is reissuing the Booker Prize–winning author’s oeuvre with fresh cover designs. McEwan says he’s eager for readers old and new to rediscover his philosophically charged novels.

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  I have always loved this word.  It always sounds acrobatic to me. the opposite of onom...
08/17/2026

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary. I have always loved this word. It always sounds acrobatic to me. the opposite of onomatopoeiac. :)

Shared as a gift article so you can know about the publishing industry’s anxiety and panic.  We booksellers are doing wh...
08/17/2026

Shared as a gift article so you can know about the publishing industry’s anxiety and panic. We booksellers are doing what we can for human authenticity.

The spectacular implosions of big deals over suspected AI use are forcing a reckoning over creativity, trust and the future of the industry.

I have heard this in the store.  Relayed from a customer’s post.
08/16/2026

I have heard this in the store. Relayed from a customer’s post.

The horizon of Whistlestop's Classical Summer is in sight, but the hits keep coming.  Michelle Berenfeld's Lessons from ...
08/15/2026

The horizon of Whistlestop's Classical Summer is in sight, but the hits keep coming. Michelle Berenfeld's Lessons from a Lost Republic: What Ancient Rome Can Teach Us about This American Moment was published this week. It looks clever and accessible and erudite. It has footnotes, always a delight. It moves easily over the thousands of years between us and Ancient Rome. In stock and on the website! https://www.whistlestoppers.com/notable-new-books-more

Small tech decisions in bookselling:  I decided to list the new biography of Mary Todd Lincoln by Lois Romano on both th...
08/15/2026

Small tech decisions in bookselling: I decided to list the new biography of Mary Todd Lincoln by Lois Romano on both the Civil War & Reconstruction page and the US Presidents page of my website. An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln, published in May, picked up great reviews. Key test: I don't think any subsequent book about the Lincolns can be written without taking it into account. It's that good and significant. https://www.whistlestoppers.com/us-presidents and https://www.whistlestoppers.com/civil-war-reconstruction

New journal from Tuttle Publishing:  cute as Kawaii Cats gazing at the Rabbit Moon.  Lined, $9.99.  In stock!
08/15/2026

New journal from Tuttle Publishing: cute as Kawaii Cats gazing at the Rabbit Moon. Lined, $9.99. In stock!

I know you are all garden-exhausted by now, but I restocked on this popular title of this past Spring, and I thought I w...
08/15/2026

I know you are all garden-exhausted by now, but I restocked on this popular title of this past Spring, and I thought I would mention it to the strategic planners for next year. Here's the publisher's description:

"You don’t need a lot of land to create a beautiful, bountiful garden.

Char and Marv of Planted in the Garden are urban gardeners from Toronto who fell in love with growing food, not only for the fresh homegrown vegetables, but to show that small spaces can still produce big harvests. In their debut gardening book, you’ll find instructions for:

Creating a small-space garden: Learn how to set up raised beds, containers, and vertical gardens to maximize growing space both indoors and outdoors.
Growing beginner-friendly veggies: Discover which crops are easy to grow and low maintenance, including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces, beans, peas, and more.
Planning out your growing year: Maximize your harvest by planting seeds at the optimal time for your garden’s climate zone.
Harvesting organic produce at home: Manage pests and fertilize plants without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Adding flowers and herbs to your garden: Decide which varieties to plant based on what will flourish in your space and attract pollinators for your vegetables.

With step-by-step instructions, you will be able to plan, plant, and maintain an abundant garden that not only provides you with fresh, healthy produce, but also adds beauty to your outdoor space, no matter how big or how small. Happy gardening!"

Always working on getting more jigsaw puzzles.  This week's Peter Pauper Press additions:  Mushrooms, Land of Dragons, S...
08/15/2026

Always working on getting more jigsaw puzzles. This week's Peter Pauper Press additions: Mushrooms, Land of Dragons, Stained Glass Hummingbird, and Seek & Find Dinosaurs. All in the North Room, all listed on the website (Dinosaurs is on the Puzzles for Children page). https://www.whistlestoppers.com/puzzles

Address

129 W High Street
Carlisle, PA
17013

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+17172434744

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