Unhappy 4th of July

Dear Readers,

On Tuesday, we came into the store, took down all of last month’s pride flags, and then cut two U.S. flags from their tiny, plastic poles so we could tape them back on upside down. We haven’t felt much like celebrating our country since January, and it just got even worse.

Kate recently finished reading Natalia Ginzburg’s Family Lexicon, even though her therapist told her to quit reading about fascism for fun. It’s a strange read—not really a novel so much as a series of lightly fictionalized vignettes—but its power comes from the increasing tension between quotidian life and historic tragedy. (Like, say, writing marketing emails while wondering which of your loved ones and neighbors will suffer most from what’s to come.) It’s the kind of book that creeps up on you and then sticks around for a good while after you’ve finished it.

If you’re the same kind of glutton for punishment horror educational storytelling as Kate, we have a copy of Family Lexicon in the store. If you’re someone who actually listens to your therapist, we also have escapist material! Either way, you should probably come and see us, because community is, still, maybe the only good thing.

Upcoming Closings

We’re going to close again a couple of times in the near future for inventory and vacation:

• Friday, July 11

• Thursday, July 31-Thursday, August 7

We appreciate your patience as we we figure out how to keep this place mostly running 6 days a week, with only the two of us on staff.

A Book Club Is Coming on August 19

Save the date: Tuesday, August 19, from 7-8 p.m. will be our first book club meeting! Literary fiction was the big winner on our feedback form (which you can still fill out, if you haven’t), so we’re going to finalize a novel pick, get some copies in the store, and make an announcement soon.

Okay, that’s enough for now. Have the best possible July 4th weekend, and please try to keep all your fingers attached. 🧨

Yours,

Kate & Michael