Happy March! While we’re in the midst of a challenging time, there are still some bright spots of positivity in the book world. From a wonderful principal sharing books, to book deliveries by skateboard, here’s some of the latest literary news.
CELEBRITY STORY TIME
Several celebrities, including Josh Gad, Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner, are sharing videos of themselves reading kids’ books to help families who are stuck at home due to the coronavirus.
Adams and Garner have created an Instagram account called “Save with Stories,” which is in partnership with the groups Save the Children and No Kid Hungry. The recorded stories will be available on Instagram for free, though the account is requesting donations of $10 to support children in vulnerable communities.
EVERYWHERE BOOK FEST
Authors Ellen Oh, Christina Soontornvat, and Melanie Conklin have organized the virtual Everywhere Book Fest, which will be held May 1 and 2. There will be panels—live streams and pre-recorded content—in picture books, middle grade, and YA, prioritizing authors and independent booksellers who had events cancelled, spring debut authors, and authors from marginalized backgrounds. You can learn more about the event here!
BOOK DELIVERY BY BIKE OR SKATEBOARD
Indie bookstores are getting very creative! In the UK, Burley Fisher Books encouraged anyone self-isolating and in need of a new book to tell them the last book they read and enjoyed. If the customer was intrigued by their suggestion, they could buy it online and the booksellers would hand deliver it to anywhere in the London borough of Hackney!
Glasgow’s independent LGBTQIA+ bookshop Category Is Books has closed its physical store, but is still offering local deliveries by skateboard and bike!
BEST. PRINCIPAL. EVER.
As schools remain closed, a local elementary school principal is leaving books on her front porch for students to pick up and read.
Principal Stacey Voigt left the books outside along with a treat starting Tuesday morning inviting students to stop by and get one of each.
“I want the students to continue reading during the break as well as provide another resource for parents,” Voigt said.
JOIN THE CLUB
Looking for companionship while you’re stuck at home? The “Quarantine Book Club” has you covered! Featuring discussions with authors over Zoom for $5 per event, author chats include Heather B. Armstrong, Myriam Gurba, and Maria Ingrande Mora. We’re absolutely loving the idea of virtual book clubs to keep up with our literary friends!
