CLMP Honors S. Atzeni and Y Rodriguez for Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year, from September 15 to October 15 we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month by honoring Hispanic and Latino culture and history. This past week the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses has released their Hispanic Heritage Month Reading list for 2026, highlighting some of the best Hispanic and Latino indie authors and we are excited to announce that two Read Furiously authors, S. Atzeni (The Legend of Dave Bradley) and Y. Rodriguez (Urban Folk Tales), have been featured on the reading list.  We hope you'll take the time to explore their work, along with the rest of the amazing authors featured on the list this year.

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MCL Book Festival welcomes Adam Wilson

Mark your calendars, Furious Readers! This Saturday, the Mercer County Library Book Festival is taking place at the Main Branch Library in Lawrenceville, NJ. Our own Adam Wilson will be one of the featured authors for the event.    Join Adam and all the amazing authors celebrating the best of Central Jersey's literary community.  MCL Lawrenceville Branch Library September 26th, 2026 from 10:00-3:00 2751 Brunswick Pike Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

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Read Furiously Community Updates

Our final Read Furiously Day announcement features one of our favorite subjects: our community work. It’s really fun to be at a community event and hear the phrase, “book people.” We feel we’re in a special club of readers who understand how and why books can change the world. Therefore, everyone at Read Furiously understands that our duty as “book people” is to provide as much support as we can to our communities.  Our Little Free Library Since first installing our Little Free Library in Banchoff Park, we’ve worked hard each year to find ways we can use our humble book box as a way to nurture and support literacy through the greater Trenton area. From filling it with back to school kits for kids, to making it a Pokestop in Pokemon Go, and even installing a second “Kids Book Box” to the library, each year we’re looking for new and innovative ways to engage with the community and help spread the love of reading. This year is no different, and we think we’ve found a great way to put our Little Free Library on the map. The GeoCache map, that is. This fall, just in time to enjoy the leaves changing color, we’ll be adding a secret Read Furiously Geocache treasure box to the Little Free Library.  Book Donations This year also saw us donating over 200 books to the nonprofit organization BookSmiles over the course of 2025. And none of this would be possible without the support of our Furious Readers. Each purchase you make, whether it’s buying one of our original titles or a bookmark from the Read Furiously Mobile Bookshop, a portion of every sale we make goes into helping us support the literary activism at the core of Read Furiously.  Our Indie Bookstores of New Jersey wall calendar This month our Indie Bookstores of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar arrived, a labor of love from authors Bill Hemmig, Margaret Montet, Adam Wilson, and S. Atzeni. Bill and Margaret came up with the idea at a 2026 Read Furiously event at Commonplace Reader in Yardley, PA (one of our wonderful community partners!), and the origin story of this project and the way it has evolved illustrates how we try to support our local bookstores.  Over the last few months, our authors have traveled to these bookstores, met with the owners and booksellers, and embedded themselves into the communities (we *may* have purchased lots of books as well…). We shared our findings on our website, including each bookstore’s specialty, where you can find them, and what makes them special. The final product is a 12-month wall calendar filled with pictures of each bookstore and the necessary information to plan a literary road trip in 2027. If you wish to purchase a copy, we ask that you visit the bookstores that are carrying the calendar in stock: Commonplace Reader in Yardley, PA; Howling Basset Books in Lambertville, NJ; and Second Time Books in Mount Laurel, NJ. This calendar is our way of showing appreciation to the community bookstores who welcome every book person and remind us that books really will change the world.  From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you all for helping us support literacy and nurturing the next generation of Furious Readers. Until next year: read often, read well, and (of course) read furiously!

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Read Furiously Presents

Our second biggest project of the year is our development of Read Furiously Presents. Read Furiously Presents is a multimedia channel designed to take away the overwhelming, confusing process of building healthy, long-lasting reading habits. Read Furiously Presents will be a mix of free content, entertainment, and specially curated products to help all Furious Readers make reading a necessary component of their daily lives - no matter what season of life.  We want this space to be a place of collaboration and community, so our primary goal was to create a mix of different elements.  Starting now and in the future months, we plan to introduce: * More free resources like our literary map of a growing list of independent bookstores and literary destinations every book lover needs to visit. * More book trailers to showcase upcoming titles and your favorite Read Furiously originals * More playlists to offer musical companions to expand your reading experience * A book club section for our Read Furiously original titles, including discussion guides and additional information to expand your reading groups and book clubs We also have a Read Furiously Presents podcast arriving on January 1, 2027 just in time for your reading resolutions. We’ll have more details in the coming weeks, but you can find it on the Read Furiously website and wherever you get your podcasts. Our hope is to create Read Furiously Presents as a welcoming space where we can help our Furious Readers create the sustainable reading journey they deserve.  It’s an exciting new development in the Read Furiously office, so stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, you can follow Read Furiously Presents for any upcoming information.

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Welcome the Class of 2027

More publishing news coming your way, Furious Readers! Please join us in welcoming the upcoming class of 2027 and their new titles. These books will have the honor of being our first new titles to be released with Indiana University Press. We’ll have plenty more details to share in the coming months, including cover reveals, preorder dates, and more. But for now, we hope you’re just as excited about these titles as we are.  Congratulations to the class of 2027! 

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The Read Furiously Class of 2026

Read Furiously began as a publishing house that wanted to support and lift up voices often overlooked by larger publishers. We consider it a privilege to not only publish works by talented authors, but to serve as their lifetime fans. Every book we publish is a gift we give to our Furious Readers, but (selfishly) it’s also stories that we love to read and talk about. It doesn’t get any better than this. Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Read Furiously’s class of 2026 - now available wherever you get your books. You can view the entire class of 2026 to learn more about each title.

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Read Furiously Partners with Indiana University Press

In our first BIG announcement of the day, we’ve got some great news for readers and bookstores alike. Throughout our history as a publisher, we’ve always strived to ensure our titles are available wherever books are sold. And now, thanks to a new partnership with Indiana University Press, this will be easier than ever.  We are excited to share that Indiana University Press is the official distributor for all original Read Furiously titles. Several of our titles from the bestselling One ‘n Done series are already available, and over the next weeks and months, even more of our titles will become a part of the Indiana University Press distribution, including all new titles.  Everyone here at Read Furiously is so thrilled to be starting this partnership with Indiana University Press, who have been so welcoming to us since our first meeting. So many members of the Read Furiously family have close ties to academia - from professors to academics to librarians - and partnering with IUP is the perfect fit. We appreciate their mission statement of publishing books “that make a difference—for readers today and for generations to come.” We’ve always loved what they’ve published and are proud to be included among the other great small presses on their distribution roster. 

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Read Furiously Day is Here!

Welcome to our 2nd annual Read Furiously Day celebration! Last year, we celebrated the first annual Read Furiously Day and our ten year anniversary as an independent publishing house. This year, sharing our big plans, goals, and dreams for what we want to accomplish in the coming years.  It isn’t easy running a small business, especially one in the publishing/bookselling industry, but we’re still here because of you, our wonderful Furious Readers, our community partners, our extraordinary team, and our talented authors. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to spend more decades with you.  We’ve been saying it all year, but what does this “new era” really mean? For us, it’s a chance to blend our years of publishing, writing, and bookselling experience into a multimodal platform for our readers while staying true to the value systems and foundations that we built long ago.  The new era of Read Furiously is going to feature three different avenues based on our founding principles of read often, read well, and read furiously. These three phrases have inspired us, informed our readers, and provided support through all of our projects. This trifecta will allow us to help you, our Furious Readers, build a sustainable, meaningful reading journey.  Read Often // Read Furiously Bookshop Our mobile bookshop has been busy this year! We spent our summer with amazing small businesses during our pop-up at the Mercer County Community College Farmers Market. The purpose of our mobile bookshop is to showcase our amazing roster of titles to different communities throughout New Jersey. We’ve also expanded to include reading accessories from independent artists and small businesses who create handmade, small batch products you won’t find in big box stores. In the coming months, we’re going to expand our reach even further to highlight and celebrate the indie creative spirit.  Read Well // Read Furiously Presents  Stay tuned later today for a more detailed announcement regarding one of our biggest projects of the year: a multimedia channel designed to take away the overwhelming, confusing process of building healthy, long-lasting reading habits. Read Furiously Presents will be a mix of free content, entertainment, and specially curated products to help all Furious Readers make reading a necessary component of their daily lives - no matter what season they’re in.  Read Furiously  The start of it all, our tiny-but-mighty publishing house has had a glow-up this year! This Read Furiously Day, we introduce a new direction for our titles. Get ready - this is a big one!  Throughout the day, we’ll keep sharing our news and behind-the-scenes updates on projects in the works. Who’s ready to read often, read well, and read furiously?  

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The Indie Bookstores of New Jersey 2027 Calendar has arrived!

Our 2027 wall calendars are now in stock at these wonderful community bookstores!    The Indie Bookstores of New Jersey calendar features twelve independent bookstores throughout New Jersey and Yardley, PA. This project was built over months of visiting each bookstore, speaking with the owners and booksellers, and becoming a part of their vibrant communities.    Make a weekend trip and visit these three bookstores who have the calendar in stock. Get your copy before they sell out!    Commonplace Reader 49 S Main St. Yardley, PA 19067   Second Time Books 114 Creek Rd. Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054   Howling Basset Books 45 North Main St.(Entrance on, Coryell St) Lambertville, NJ 08530

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Jersey City Poetry Festival welcomes Kathy Kremins

JCPOFEST returns from September 25th to the 27th presenting this year's theme "Viva! Joy as Resistance: A Journey of Radical Hope Through Art, Connection & Collective Imagination." On September 26th, Kathy Kremins, author of Sipping a Cloud, will be moderating a panel tentatively titled "Rooted Witness: Poetics of Climate and Cultural Justice." A conversation exploring the intersection of environmental justice and cultural identity. Panelists will include: - Evie Shockley from Cave Canem - Purvi Shah from Kundiman - Eduardo Martinez-Leyva from CantoMundo Each panelist will have the opportunity to read their work, followed by a discussion and Q&A led by Kathy. 

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Wolfe & Kron

Wolfe & Kron 808 1/2 Fifth Ave Asbury Park, NJ A Note to our Furious Readers: before we begin our regular calendar feature, we wanted to share that on July 6th, during one of NJ’s (many) rainstorms, the store flooding causing a lot of water damage to the store and inventory, so Wolfe & Kron is closed at this time. While you wait to visit the store in-person, we ask that you visit their Bookshop.org page or their Libro.fm page. You can also follow them on social media, like their posts, and spread the word about this great bookstore!  What We Love Fin (she/they), with an impressively varied resume, moved to Asbury in February of 2020, leaving behind in storage their extensive, curated library of mostly Queer-focused books, including genre fiction authored by trans and neurodivergent authors: sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romance. One month later the pandemic kicked in. Post-lockdown, Fin resumed collecting books, which rapidly threatened to outgrow Fin’s new digs.  The impact of this store, this floor-to-ceiling Queer literature collection, took hold of me gradually but strongly. The message is clear: we’re here, there are lots of us, and please come join us. It provides a safe space where its community can feel loved, protected, at home. I told Fin that I’ve become interested in writing that blurs or ignores the boundaries between fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and without having to think much about it, they pulled several books off the shelves; I bought two of them, and I placed them very close to the top of my TBR (to be read) pile, anticipating new experiences. ~ Bill Hemmig, author of Americana: Stories and Brethren Hollow Read the rest of “Back to Asbury” on Bill Hemmig’s substack Bookstore Specialty:  A carefully curated assortment of collectables, as well as new and used books with a queer focus Asbury Park already holds some kind of magic, but Wolfe & Kron is taking this magic to the next level. Their curation is a sight to behold and their website states that the bookstore is “Dedicated to centering LGBTQ+ & BIPOC AUTHORS [and] SPECULATIVE fiction is our specialty.” They also mention that they love the challenge of helping a reader find their next read, so be sure to tap into Wolfe & Kron’s expertise!  Learn More: You can find more information about Wolfe & Kron through their website. Once there, you can check out upcoming events, pre-order books, shop online, and buy some merch to show some love. We also recommend following them on Instagram where Fin, the owner, details the progress made since the storm and readers can learn how to help and support the bookstore.  We are so excited to feature Wolfe & Kron in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy!   

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Second Time Books

Second Time Books 114 Creek Rd Mount Laurel, NJ What We Love: As much as we may love them, navigating a used bookstore can sometimes feel a little bit overwhelming. Because their inventory relies so heavily on books traded in by their patrons, these are the stores where there are always treasures to find, but they really make you work for them. That isn’t the case for Second Time Books. You can tell right away that a great deal of attention has been given to the curation of the bookstore. From the carefully selected faceouts and displays to the organization of the store itself, it still offers the charm of a used bookstore - exploring every nook and cranny to see what titles might await you. But you can breathe a sign of relief knowing the owners and booksellers have taken special care to ensure that any book you pick off the shelf is going to be worth your time. Nestled in the quaint Rancocoas Woods shopping plaza, there’s something classic feeling about Second Time Books. From the exposed beams in the ceiling, to the rows of bookshelves that wind throughout multiple rooms, the aesthetic only helps add to the welcoming ambiance that’s going to draw in any book lover. And nowhere is this more prevalent than the Annex, a second building filled with shelf and shelf of classic leatherbound books, vintage typewriters, and high back chairs just asking for you to grab something off the shelf, have a seat and get lost in a book.  ~Adam Wilson, author of Last of the Pops and Brian & Bobbi Bookstore Specialty: History, science-fiction/fantasy, and classic literature Second Time Books play a huge part in the Rancocas Woods community, participating in many local events, hosting author fairs and regular book signing. They specialize in a mix of new and used books with the opportunity for readers to sell or trade their gently used books. You can find their buying policy on their website, along with the list of genres that the bookstore is particularly interested in purchasing. According to their website, Second Time Books holds “over 50,000 titles in stock, and more added daily, you’ll be sure to find the book you didn’t even know you were looking for!”  Learn More: You can find more information about Second Time Books through their website. From there, you can view the book buying policy, shop their inventory (we highly recommend the local NJ history section!), and check out their events, including their dollar book sales and their local author book fair.  We are so excited to feature Second Time Books in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Commonplace Reader

Commonplace Reader 49 South Main Street Yardley, PA (10 minutes from Trenton, NJ!) This year, our wall calendar features an honorary New Jersey bookstore: our beloved Commonplace Reader. A quick drive across the bridge, this bookstore is based in Yardley, PA and has been a treasured community partner for Read Furiously for years. Last year, during our ten-year anniversary event with Commonplace Reader, Bill Hemmig and Margaret Montet came up with the idea to create a NJ bookstore calendar which is just one example of how much inspiration we get from stepping inside this bookstore. We’ve called Commonplace Reader the official bookstore for Read Furiously because so many of us call it our community bookstore and you can find many Read Furiously titles throughout the shop. I don’t have enough space to talk about how much we love Commonplace Reader, owner Liz Young, and her amazing team of booksellers, but I hope what I can share will inspire everyone to pay this beautiful bookstore a visit. Liz Young is a champion of all things literary. She supports local authors, small publishers (like us!), literacy causes, and the bookstore’s own book club members. When you walk into this historical house where each room is filled with books and treasures, it’s the feeling of entering a sacred space. Aside from the amazing collection of books, there are signs everywhere detailing book club information, how to get involved in different forms of literary activism, and information on community events outside the store and on the Yardley main street. The wraparound porch is a place for author signings, book readings, and children’s events. The upstairs features the best collection of children’s titles and a smaller room of eclectic titles and books from local authors. While putting together this calendar, I had the privilege of shadowing two of the monthly book clubs: the Women’s literature fiction book club called The Bluebirds and the mystery book club called The Ravens. Upon entering both of these book club spaces, I was immediately welcomed by the members who were kind enough to share their experiences about the book clubs at Commonplace Reader. Both groups had similar thoughts: they loved the work and care that Liz put into these meetings; even if they weren’t keen on the book choices, they were grateful to have read them; and these clubs help them get more reading done. During the Bluebirds meeting, we discussed The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo with Liz serving as book club moderator. The meeting was an hour, but, like all great book clubs, we could have gone longer in the discussion. We discussed fairy tales, folklore, the concept of humanity, the nuance of the feminine POV, location, imagery, and the idea of revenge in fiction (IYKYK). At the Ravens meeting, we discussed Butter by Asako Yuzuki and translated by Polly Barton. As someone who isn’t a mystery reader, this meeting was a bit intimidating. However, once again, everyone was welcoming and happy to share their tips for mystery reading (take a lot of notes while reading, which made this professor’s heart very glad). With Liz serving as our trusted moderator yet again, we dove into the gender social construct, the cultural collective, issues of weight, work/life pressure, food, and obsession, and our thoughts on “based on a true story” narratives.  For both of these meetings, I took pages and pages of notes that covered previous books, thoughts on the choices each month, and the reason why everyone keeps coming back. This reason was unanimous: it’s the environment at Commonplace Reader and the passion for books and reading that Liz and her team instill in everyone who walks into the shop. It’s a feeling of home, localized in a community bookstore. For years, we have been proud to call Commonplace Reader our community partner, Read Furiously’s “official” bookstore, and our favorite place to shop. They may be based in PA, but NJ heart and soul is mixed right in.  Bookstore Specialty: A bookstore for all readers specializing in books for adults, young adults, children, book clubs, and writers There’s lots to love at the award-winning Commonplace Reader (Bucks County Herald “Best of the Region” three years in a row!), but the book clubs are the most fun. There are so many options to choose from and they meet at different times to accommodate different schedules. You can find the full list along with past reads on their website. However, if you’re a serial book club member, you can also check out African American Museum of Bucks County Book Club, the Gather Place Book Club celebrating America’s 250th, and a writers group.  Learn More: You can find more information about Commonplace Reader through their extensive website. You can purchase books, check out upcoming events, information about each book club, browse the staff picks, and learn more about community literacy projects, including donating to BookSmiles (over 25,000 books collected!). We also highly recommend the “Book Nook Picks” and “10 Second Reviews” which helps readers filter the many titles that come out every week. Following Commonplace Reader on Instagram also gives you a front row seat to local author news, displays, and their community projects.  We are so excited to feature Commonplace Reader in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Howling Basset Books

  Howling Basset Books 45 North Main Street Lambertville, NJ (Entrance on Coryell St) Owners Zohar Kfir and Lisa Lynch, with no prior bookstore experience, first opened Howling Basset in Oldwick, NJ in 2022. Attracted to Lambertville by the size of its community and its need for a general-interest indie bookstore, they relocated to Lambertville, at 45 North Main Street (entrance around the corner on Coryell)... …And yes, there’s a basset. Zohar and Lisa adopted Fern as the bookstore mascot as a puppy. She’s now two years old, does not howl, and is a big sweetheart, ready to greet visitors. The shop hosts three book clubs, one of which, “Reading Between the Lines,” is co-hosted with Gay Social New Jersey, and “Wednesday Words,” a creative writing workshop led by a local author every two weeks. There are also frequent author and artist events. The shop, warm and cozy (and don’t forget Fern!), is fast becoming a community gathering place, open Thursday through Sunday. ~ Bill Hemmig, author of Americana: Stories and Brethren Hollow Read the rest of “Howling Basset Books” (and see a picture of Fern!) on Bill Hemmig’s substack. Bookstore Specialty: Adult genre fiction, biographies and memoirs, cookbooks, children’s books and more Howling Basset Books is a welcome addition to Lambertville, which is already a great NJ day trip. On their website, Howling Basset Books “is an independent bookstore with an extensive selection of literary fiction; adult genre fiction (romance, mystery, fantasy and sci-fi); biographies and memoirs; cookbooks; children’s books and more. We are women and LGBTQ owned, and our mission is activist and community-focused.” The space is welcoming, and you will leave with an armload of books. Come for the books, stay for the adorable Fern, the basset-in-residence. Learn More: You can find more information about Howling Basset Books through their website to learn more about their community events, book clubs, and workshops.  There’s something for every reader, including an audio book walking club that meets once a month. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for updates on the store, highlights from the bookstore’s community involvement, and (of course) highlights of Fern.  We are so excited to feature Howling Basset Books in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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The Good Book Life Welcomes Melanie Bell

Author Melanie Bell (Chasing Harmony and The Heart Decided to Move) was a guest on The Good Book Life podcast where she joined host Donna Scott, poet Paul Giffney, journalist Peter Ray Allison, and author Laura Jane Round for a powerful, wide‑ranging conversation about the growing trend of removing Pride and LGBTQI+ displays from UK libraries. It was a powerful conversation on necessary representation and the dangers of censorship. You can watch the episode wherever you get your podcasts. 

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A&C Literary Salon is seeking Contributors

Bill Hemmig, author of Brethren Hollow and Americana, is on the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of Programming for the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County, and they're beginning to plan for their 2027 Literary Salons. These are held on the first Thursdays of most months at the A&C headquarters in Doylestown, PA. Four authors (poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction) are invited to read from their work, followed by a casual discussion (no critiques) and opportunity to sell their books if they've been published. They'd love to see some fresh faces! If interested please contact Bill at billhemmig@gmail.com. Priority is usually given to A&C members. The membership fee is nominal; anyone interested can join by going to the website. You don't have to be a resident of Bucks County to join. If you’re interested in checking out one of the Lit Salons, they are free to the public. The next scheduled event is Thursday, August 6, 7:00PM, at Freeman Hall, 181 East Court St., Doylestown, PA. Stop by, introduce yourself, and enjoy some terrific writing. The literary members are a supportive and nurturing community. You can also follow A&C on Facebook and Instagram @bucksarts

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Wolfe & Kron

Wolfe & Kron 808 1/2 Fifth Ave Asbury Park, NJ A Note to our Furious Readers: before we begin our regular calendar feature, we wanted to share that on July 6th, during one of NJ’s (many) rainstorms, the store flooding causing a lot of water damage to the store and inventory, so Wolfe & Kron is closed at this time. While you wait to visit the store in-person, we ask that you visit their Bookshop.org page or their Libro.fm page. You can also follow them on social media, like their posts, and spread the word about this great bookstore!  What We Love Fin (she/they), with an impressively varied resume, moved to Asbury in February of 2020, leaving behind in storage their extensive, curated library of mostly Queer-focused books, including genre fiction authored by trans and neurodivergent authors: sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romance. One month later the pandemic kicked in. Post-lockdown, Fin resumed collecting books, which rapidly threatened to outgrow Fin’s new digs.  The impact of this store, this floor-to-ceiling Queer literature collection, took hold of me gradually but strongly. The message is clear: we’re here, there are lots of us, and please come join us. It provides a safe space where its community can feel loved, protected, at home. I told Fin that I’ve become interested in writing that blurs or ignores the boundaries between fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and without having to think much about it, they pulled several books off the shelves; I bought two of them, and I placed them very close to the top of my TBR (to be read) pile, anticipating new experiences. ~ Bill Hemmig, author of Americana: Stories and Brethren Hollow Read the rest of “Back to Asbury” on Bill Hemmig’s substack Bookstore Specialty:  A carefully curated assortment of collectables, as well as new and used books with a queer focus Asbury Park already holds some kind of magic, but Wolfe & Kron is taking this magic to the next level. Their curation is a sight to behold and their website states that the bookstore is “Dedicated to centering LGBTQ+ & BIPOC AUTHORS [and] SPECULATIVE fiction is our specialty.” They also mention that they love the challenge of helping a reader find their next read, so be sure to tap into Wolfe & Kron’s expertise!  Learn More: You can find more information about Wolfe & Kron through their website. Once there, you can check out upcoming events, pre-order books, shop online, and buy some merch to show some love. We also recommend following them on Instagram where Fin, the owner, details the progress made since the storm and readers can learn how to help and support the bookstore.  We are so excited to feature Wolfe & Kron in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy!   

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Frenchtown Bookshop

Frenchtown Bookshop 28 Bridge Street Frenchtown, NJ   What We Love The bookshop’s building, on the main drag of Bridge Street, was originally a Victorian mansion constructed in 1863. The first bookshop there, Book Garden, sadly folded two months into the pandemic. Scott Sheldon, an attorney, and his wife Barbara deWilde, neither of whom had ever planned to open a bookstore, saw the community’s need and decided to step in. They undertook a major interior renovation that opened up the previously multi-roomed first floor, and the Frenchtown Bookshop opened on July 30, 2021. Barbara and Scott’s emphasis on classic literature and literary fiction struck a chord with the Frenchtown community and the shop quickly became a community gathering place. Three years ago they turned the back yard into a “Reading Garden” where, weather permitting, you can hang out peacefully for free (reading encouraged but not required). The shop is also particularly strong in the areas of history, local interest, science, and nature. They sell only new books, and have an eclectic selection of gift items. Scott produces a weekly online newsletter, “The Constant Reader,” in which he writes small essays about new books that have attracted his interest, as well as news about upcoming events at the shop. ~ Bill Hemmig, author of Americana: Stories and Brethren Hollow Read the rest of “A Day in Frenchtown” on Bill Hemmig’s substack Bookstore Specialty:  Classic Literature and Literary Fiction Frenchtown Bookshop is a staple in this charming NJ town. It’s very easy to get lost for the day in Frenchtown where the bookshop is surrounded by other boutiques and restaurants. If you cannot make it in person just yet, we recommend subscribing to their email newsletter, “The Constant Reader,” which fills you in on the booksellers’ current conversations and must-reads. Learn More You can find more information about Frenchtown Bookshop through their website. You can learn about bookstore events, staff recommendations, and new releases. Thanks to a generous grant from American Express Shop Small Grants Program, Frenchtown Bookshop is hosting a literary festival filled with celebrated writers. It began in June, but is continuing through October 2026 [https://frenchtownbookshop.com/literary-festival]. We are so excited to feature Frenchtown Bookshop in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy!   

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Black Dog Books

Black Dog Books 191 NJ-15 Unit 8 Lafayette Township, NJ 07848   What We Love Black Dog Books is one of those bookstores you could easily get lost in for hours. And I say that as someone who actually did get lost in it for hours when I went to visit. When you first enter, it’s incredibly welcoming and open - you can tell the store puts a lot of care into crafting its shelves and displays to be the perfect reader oasis. The more I walked around exploring the stacks, the more I discovered there was to uncover. From well curated selections of all different types of books, to hand crafted accessories by local artists. There were even hidden bookshelves tucked behind the checkout area, and quiet reading nooks where folks can sit and unwind for a bit to look over their potential selections. ~Adam Wilson (Last of the Pops and Helium)   Bookstore Specialty:  Fiction, fantasy, romance, children’s literature, and reader’s gifts of all kinds The excitement around exploring Black Dog Books doesn't just stop with its selection and curation, throughout the shop it's easy to see the care it's put into making itself a part of its community. Black Dog Books has a dedicated section for local authors and hosts book clubs as well as author events. There's even a monthly open mic nights where folks are invited to share their work with others.  Learn More On Black Dog’s “About Us” page, it reads, “Our vibe? School book fair, but for grown-ups too. It’s a little nostalgic, a little chaotic, and always full of heart.”  You can find more information about Black Dog Books, check out their bookstore events, and shop their shelves on their official website. We LOVE their homepage greeting us with “Don’t buy books from billionaires” (great advice btw)! We are so excited to feature The Geekery in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Lambertville Comic and Zine Fest Returns for their 4th year

The Lambertville Comic and Zine Con is returning for its fourth year, and Read Furiously's own Adam Wilson, author of Last of the Pops and Helium, will be one of the featured creators. Join Adam and all the other amazing creators at the Acme Screening Room July 25th from 10-4pm. Acme Screening Room July 25th, from 10:00-4:00 25 S Union St Lambertville, NJ 08530

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Hooked on Books

Hooked on Books 3405 Pacific Avenue Wildwood, NJ What We Love: Hooked on Books has been on Pacific Ave in Wildwood since 1991, open in the warmer months only, and I have no idea why I’ve never been there before! It’s a lovely shop full of used books with a few new on-demand titles. I could have spent hours there shopping for unexpected treasures and chatting with Kieran Linnane, the proprietor who just happens to be from Galway, Ireland. We talked about Ireland for a bit and then I asked him what kinds of books sell in this store. Of course beach reads and science fiction (Project Hail Mary!!!), but I was surprised to find out that his customers enjoy reading classics on the beach. I thought I was unique in that preference! That conversation launched us into a critique of the new Wuthering Heights movie and the importance of being aware of contrasting interpretations of literature. Since I’m next to choose a book for my new book club, I asked Kieran if he had suggestions: Project Hail Mary!!! and The Measure by Nikki Erlick because “it gets people thinking.” I tried to be conservative with my used books haul, and selected Elizabeth & Margaret: the Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters by Andrew Morton (Grand Central, 2021), and Essays in Context edited by Sandra Fehl Tropp and Ann Pierson D’Angelo (Oxford, 2001). The latter has the feel of a college textbook anthology, but the essays inside are not the usual selections in such collections. Wildwood, being a summer fun town, has tons of restaurants of all kinds, plenty within walking distance of Hooked on Books. I didn’t partake because I wanted to get home with my new used books.  One more thing: I confessed to Kieran that I am intimidated by Wildwood traffic in summer. He said, no, don’t worry. On a weekday you can drive right up and practically park in front of the store. It’s right across from Byrne Plaza, a newer landmark. ~ Margaret Montet, author of Nerd Traveler and Brooklyn Family Album  Bookstore Specialty: Popular fiction, new books, children’s books, nonfiction - with a primary focus on secondhand books A seasonal gem in a NJ shore town, Hooked on Books has won its share of accolades. They were voted Best Bookstore on the Jersey Shore for 2012, 2009 & 2008 and were featured on TV station WTXF Fox 29 Philadelphia's "Best of the Shore" Hotlist. Hooked on Books was also voted Best Bookstore in Cape May county for 13 years by Freetime readers and was given the 2017 Readers Choice Award, voted on by the readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. Learn More:  You can find more information about Hooked on Books, their specials and bestsellers, and up-to-date news on their website [http://www.hookedonbooks.info/]. As a seasonal bookstore, you’ll also find the season’s opening dates and read recent views from happy readers. Sun, surf, and books make for a necessary NJ summer reading experience! We are so excited to feature Hooked on Books in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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The Geekery

The Geekery 19 Little Street Matawan, NJ   What We Love Just walking by the storefront of The Geekery, it's easy to see you've stumbled upon some place special. With a bright blue facade accented by multi-colored brickwork under windows filled with hand drawn artwork and signs you can tell a lot of care has been put into crafting a space that invites you to come explore. And once you enter, you'll be excited to see just how much there is to discover - and with two separate rooms you could easily spend hours doing just that. Each one is a treasure trove of comics, with the front room featuring wall to wall new releases surrounding rows of bookshelves filled with graphic novels of all kinds.  What could feel chaotic and overwhelming in any other store is actually incredibly well curated at the Geekery, which is a testament to the staff and owners of the store who put a lot of great care into the books they carry - offering tons of great staff picks, and tons of books for all types of comic readers. Bookstore Specialty: New comics, especially indie comics and graphic novels In 2025, The Geekery was named the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Nominee. As the premier award for the comics industry, the Eisner Spirit Awards highlight some of the best comic book shops across the country. When you walk into The Geekery, it’s very easy to see why this nomination is so well-deserved. Along with all the support the store gives to the comics community, hosting creators and showing support for their customers, they play a big role in the Matawan community, hosting two different book clubs (a traditional book club and one just for graphic novels) as well as taking part  in local events like Matawan Day and the local Solstice Night Markets.   Learn More You can find more information about The Geekery through their linktree which has links to their Discord, Bluesky, and Instagram accounts and they have a Facebook page [ https://www.facebook.com/thegeekerynj/ ] with videos and current news - including regular appearances by their muppet mascot who's always ready to share the latest happenings at the shop. And to share a fun piece of Geekery trivia we learned on our visit, their iconic shark logo is harkening to piece of local history, the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 which inspired the classic movie Jaws occurred just a stone's throw away from the store.  We are so excited to feature The Geekery in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Words Matter Bookstore

Words Matter Bookstore 52 South Broadway Pitman, NJ  08071   What We Love:  Pitman is a delightful town with a Main Street (actually Broadway, if I’m being honest) straight out of Mayberry. The owner, Keryl, was busy the day I was there supervising a booth at the large street fair going on just outside the book shop. They were featuring a local author who had written a book about Jersey tomatoes (!!).   Keryl’s son, Aiden Hausman, was deputized to sign our release and wait on the many customers. I was happy to shop here as always, and snapped up a cute dragon book pillow (probably meant for kids, but I couldn’t resist), a used copy of Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik (Scribner, 2024) about my all-time favorite writer, Joan Didion and her Hollywood friend Eve Babitz (it looks juicy), and Robert Seethaler’s The Last Movement (Europa, 2026) about composer Gustave Mahler’s return to Vienna on a really big boat in 1911 after his tenure conducting the New York Philharmonic was over. I skipped lunch in Pitman because it was SO crowded for the street fair, but last time I stopped by I enjoyed Attilio’s Pizza, also on Broadway. ~ Margaret Montet, author of Nerd Traveler and Brooklyn Family Album    Bookstore Specialty:  New books and bookish gifts There’s big news on Words Matter Bookstore’s home page: they’re being featured on The Currently Reading Podcast! You can keep an eye on the bookstore’s Instagram page for when the episode drops.  Learn More You can find more information about Words Matter, including news and events, on their website. The bookstore’s website is always great about updating their “coming soon” list so you can stay up-to-date on preordering your books. You can also browse their inventory and get booksellers’ picks, all from the comfort of your home.  We are so excited to feature Words Matter in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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British Science Fiction Society presents: Power in SFFH

Get your tickets now, Furious Readers, Saturday July 25th, Melanie Bell, author of Chasing Harmony and The Heart Decided to Move will be participating in an online event with the British Science Fiction Society where they explore the theme of Power in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.    The all day event will feature readings from six different authors, including Bell, as well as interviews and panels exploring themes such as the evolution of power across speculative fiction genres, exploring how power corrupts, and writing rebellions.   Tickets are £5, and seating is limited. You can find out more information on the British Science Fiction Society.

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Poetry at the Sussex County Library

On Tuesday July 21 join Kathy Kremins, author of Sipping a Cloud, for a night of Poetry at the Sussex County Main Branch Library. Hosted by Jane Ebihara and Elaine Koplow, Kathy will be one of the featured poets alongside Judith Christian. The two will read some of their work and then welcome others to the floor with an open mic night for anyone who might wish to share their work.  Sussex Main Branch Library July 21, 2026 from 6:30-8:30pm 125 Morris Turnpike Newton, NJ 07860  

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Final Boss Comics

Final Boss Comics 10 Gordon Ave Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 What We Love: Walking into Final Boss Comics harkens back to that lucky moment as a kid when you got invited into your cool older sibling’s bedroom when their friends were over - and not just because the store is in an old renovated historic house. It’s more because the shop is covered wall-to-wall with so many amazing things to discover. It’s because there’s always something being discussed or debated that will have you making mental notes of all the comics, movies, books you need to track down and read. It’s the type of place where you feel instantly welcomed, and honored to be included. Now truth be told, Final Boss has been our local comic shop for years now. We watched during the pandemic as a single retail sign popped up in a little cluster of shops just off of Main Street in Lawrence and since it’s official opening on Free Comic Book Day of 2021 it has since grown to become a community hub for the comics fans, the indie artists and zine makers, the board game enthusiasts and anyone who walks through their door. The shop has their own Book Clubs, RPG Clubs that meet regularly and host signings from local and prestige creators of all kinds.  ~Adam Wilson, author of Last of the Pops Bookstore Specialty: New comics, graphic novels, collectables, and games On Final Boss’s “About” page, the story is as exciting as a superhero origin story. Told in “issues,” it’s a chronicle of Final Boss’s early days in Jersey City and what led to the store’s move to its home in Lawrenceville. Owner Floyd Bennett has had quite the journey before becoming our friendly neighborhood comic seller! His store has even made appearances in G. Willow Wilson's run on Ms. Marvel. Learn More:  You can find more information about Final Boss Comics, check out their new releases, and news feed on their website. We also recommend following Final Boss on Instagram where you can get up-to-date event information and recommendations for your ever-growing TBR.  We are so excited to feature Final Boss Comics in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Cape Atlantic Book Company

Cape Atlantic Book Company City Centre Mall, 2nd Fl Top of the Escalator 421 Washington Street Cape May, NJ 08204 What We Love:  Cape Atlantic Books is inside a little collection of shops on Washington Street Mall in Cape May. I visited in April and met Mary Ann Castagnetta who was subbing for the owner who wasn’t feeling well. She’s an author of children’s books that take place in Cape May and was so much fun to talk to. We chatted about the beach reading needs of Cape May visitors (Claudia Vance has a bunch of novels set in Cape May) and I mentioned that the store always has quite a few classics. I wondered if these are to serve area schoolchildren with reading lists. She said indeed they were, and that representatives from Cape Atlantic visit schools to promote reading. I would have loved a visit like that as a kid even though I was already an inspired reader. I made another trip to Cape Atlantic in May and was very happy to find the proprietor, Peter Young taking care of the shop. (I was worried about him when Mary Ann said he wasn’t well.) We talked about the shop, its location, and Cape May seasons, and I remarked upon the primo view from the shop’s second floor windows. One can see Rotary Park and the Gazebo, the site of many concerts and events not limited to summer, the adorable Robert Shackleton Theater, and the recently built but very Victorian-looking Kings Ice Cream Parlour. Looking out upon these quaint features makes one feel as if they are in an old movie but in technicolor. ~ Margaret Montet, author of Nerd Traveler and Brooklyn Family Album  Bookstore Specialty: Bestsellers, beach reads, New Jersey-themed books, puzzles, and games Cape Atlantic Book Co. is part of the Washington Street Mall. You can plan an entire day out (and go to the beach!) on their the Washington Mall website.  Learn More:  You can find more information about Cape Atlantic Book Company, check out previews of their shelves, and stay up-to-date with their upcoming events on their Facebook page. You can’t find a more quintessential Cape May experience than this.  We are so excited to feature Cape Atlantic Book Company in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now.  Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Booktowne

Booktowne 171 Main St. Manasquan, NJ 08736 What We Love: Whenever I walk into Booktowne, I get this undeniable cozy feeling, but it’s mixed with something else: New Jersey in the summer. So, I would describe it more as a “New Jersey cozy,” which is part of that special New Jersey language that’s bestowed upon you at birth. Standing in the doorway also conjures a liminal experience since your eyes are greedily taking in all of the bounty that surrounds you. Do you turn to the left and check out the newest books, the fiction, and the staff picks? Do you turn right and walk into the cutest, most comprehensive, most colorful children’s section I’ve ever seen (A note to grown-ups: don’t sleep on this. Get yourself a fairy tale or mythology book; you deserve it). Or do you keep walking toward the back of the store, stopping into alcoves of books, New Jersey-themed items, and a secret room filled with artsy treasures you’ve never seen before? My answer: Yes. To. All. The. Things.  Booktowne hosts regular author events, oftentimes supporting the local library and in collaboration with Algonquin Arts Theatre. For the past five years in November, the bookstore has hosted an annual readathon for charity where the store’s booksellers take turns reading in the window display. Owner Peter Albertelli describes Booktowne as a “literary conclave with everything geared toward readers.” This careful curation and dedication to both the readers and the bookstore is apparent in the greetings you receive when you walk in and the hours you spend adding to the growing pile of books in your arms.  ~ S. Atzeni, author of W(h)ine & Cheese and editor of the Life in the Garden State trilogy  Bookstore Specialty:  Fiction, children’s books, and gifts for readers On Booktowne’s “About” page, it reads, “At BookTowne we offer the warmth, friendliness and quality of the ‘around-the-corner’ bookstores from years gone but combined with the modern world we live in today.” https://booktowne.com/about-us  Learn More: You can find more information about Booktowne, check out their bookstore events, and shop their shelves (including merch!) on their website. Their homepage states Booktowne is your “favorite bookstore by the sea.” After spending time in this beachy, NJ town, you can definitely feel it.  We are so excited to feature Booktowne in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Booktowne

Booktowne 171 Main St. Manasquan, NJ 08736 What We Love: Whenever I walk into Booktowne, I get this undeniable cozy feeling, but it’s mixed with something else: New Jersey in the summer. So, I would describe it more as a “New Jersey cozy,” which is part of that special New Jersey language that’s bestowed upon you at birth. Standing in the doorway also conjures a liminal experience since your eyes are greedily taking in all of the bounty that surrounds you. Do you turn to the left and check out the newest books, the fiction, and the staff picks? Do you turn right and walk into the cutest, most comprehensive, most colorful children’s section I’ve ever seen (A note to grown-ups: don’t sleep on this. Get yourself a fairy tale or mythology book; you deserve it). Or do you keep walking toward the back of the store, stopping into alcoves of books, New Jersey-themed items, and a secret room filled with artsy treasures you’ve never seen before? My answer: Yes. To. All. The. Things.  Booktowne hosts regular author events, oftentimes supporting the local library and in collaboration with Algonquin Arts Theatre. For the past five years in November, the bookstore has hosted an annual readathon for charity where the store’s booksellers take turns reading in the window display. Owner Peter Albertelli describes Booktowne as a “literary conclave with everything geared toward readers.” This careful curation and dedication to both the readers and the bookstore is apparent in the greetings you receive when you walk in and the hours you spend adding to the growing pile of books in your arms.  ~ S. Atzeni, author of W(h)ine & Cheese and editor of the Life in the Garden State trilogy  Bookstore Specialty:  Fiction, children’s books, and gifts for readers On Booktowne’s “About” page, it reads, “At BookTowne we offer the warmth, friendliness and quality of the ‘around-the-corner’ bookstores from years gone but combined with the modern world we live in today.” https://booktowne.com/about-us  Learn More: You can find more information about Booktowne, check out their bookstore events, and shop their shelves (including merch!) on their website. Their homepage states Booktowne is your “favorite bookstore by the sea.” After spending time in this beachy, NJ town, you can definitely feel it.  We are so excited to feature Booktowne in our upcoming Indie Bookshops of New Jersey 2027 wall calendar. Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th. Or you can contact the store directly to get your copy! 

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Our Indie Bookstore Calendar is back!

Our Indie Bookstores of New Jersey calendar is back! Carrying on the tradition set forth by authors Bill Hemmig and Margaret Montet, the 2027 wall calendar continues to be our love letter to independent bookstores and community spaces. Join us again to celebrate the indie spirit, ingenuity, and joy that fills every corner of our next batch of bookstores.   Over the last few months, Bill Hemmig, Margaret Montet, Adam Wilson, and S. Atzeni traveled to their favorite places, spoke with the bookstore owners, chatted with booksellers, and explored the bookstore shelves (leaving with more books for our TBR piles!). What we’ve put together is another great year of bookstores and all of the special details that make a visit feel like a reading adventure.    Every month is a tribute to the hard work and dedication independent bookstores provide on a daily basis. This calendar is a necessary addition to any booklover’s home, as reading inspiration or planning your next big indie bookstore road trip!   Preorders are open now. Calendars are printed with a limited print run, so preordering ensures you get a copy before they sell out. Calendars will ship out on August 25th.

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