NORTHBROOK – Their books regularly appear on the major bestselling lists and they’ve won prestigious awards. Now they’re coming to Northbrook, thanks to the collaboration of three local businesses. Sunset Foods, the Book Bin and Book.ed, have partnered to connect booklovers with leading authors and their books at BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES. The first Northbrook event will be on Tuesday, June 27 from 6-8 p.m. on the mezzanine level of Sunset Foods, 1127 Church Street in downtown Northbrook.
Tim Johnston, whose newest novel, Descent, is a national bestseller, will be the featured guest at the free event, which pairs quality wine tastings with quality book signings. The book received glowing reviews from major media, including The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and NPR. Sunset will provide a selection of wines and the Book Bin will handle onsite book sales. Optional “Bonus Buy” packages comprising a wine-themed memento and coupons from local merchants will also be available for purchase.
BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES was conceived in 2015 by Evelyn Eman Delmar, owner of Book.ed, as an addition to her other services for authors. The first season launched last year at Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park. By 2016, Taste Food & Wine earned the top spot for Chicago wine tastings in a Foursquare survey and plans were underway for an expanded Season 2 of BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES.
For Season 2, Delmar found the perfect partner in Northbrook’s Book Bin and its owner, Allison Mengarelli. Mengarelli is the newest owner of the venerable (45-year-old) independent book store. “I’m always looking for ways to promote our store and share our love of books,” said Mengarelli, whose store also supports author programs at the Northbrook Public Library.
“Bringing people together over books, wine and lively conversation sounded like a wonderful idea. I’m excited to see the authors in this year’s lineup of BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES.”
After recruiting the Book Bin for Chicago events, Delmar approached Bruce Gonzalez, General Manager at the Northbrook Sunset Foods to host a second BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES venue. Said Delmar, “There couldn’t be a better place in Northbrook for our events, which will also attract people to the downtown shopping district while bringing in noted authors.”
Delmar noted that BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES will continue to promote the best local authors but a Season 2 goal is to also bring in noted authors from around the country. “In May, Book.ed welcomed Rory Flynn, the daughter of movie idol Errol Flynn to Chicago with her memoir about her father and famous family,” said Delmar. “We successfully piggy-backed a BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES event with an Errol Flynn evening at the Pickwick Theatre.”
Information about upcoming BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES events can be found on the Book.ed website .
Information about the Book Bin can be found here .
Information about Sunset Foods can be found at here.
