The American Booksellers Association has unveiled the "Indies Take the Gold" summer marketing campaign. 

Designed to counter Amazon Prime Days and coinciding with the lead up to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the campaign "celebrates all that indie bookstores take first place in: providing personal book recommendations, supporting community, creating local jobs, relationship building, championing debut and diverse authors, and the all-around title."

Marketing assets, including digital assets, printable posters, and suggested copy, are now available from the ABA. Booksellers are encouraged to promote the campaign on their website, newsletter, social media, and in-store on Prime Days, July 16-17, and use the hashtag #IndiesTakeTheGold on social media.

A Pride display at Dark Star Magick in Portland, Ore., was lit on fire earlier this week, FOX12 Oregon reported.

Early Monday morning, someone smashed one of the store's windows, poured some type of accelerant on the Pride display, and lit it on fire. Around 4:30 a.m., Portland Fire & Rescue responded to the fire and put it out. The fire had not spread further than a pile of books in the display. None of the apartments above the bookstore were affected.

"Whoever did this put at risk an entire apartment building full of people," store owner Steve Kinchen told FOX12. "They need to be caught. This is not acceptable. This is not the Portland that we love. This kind of nonsense has to stop. We're just small business people trying to make a living."

The fire remains under investigation.

Griot Arts gallery and bookstore is set to open in July at 115 N. Broadway in downtown Rochester, Minn. The Star Tribune reported that owner Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara, a local writer and anthropologist, is launching a creative hub dedicated to amplifying Black voices and expression as "the culmination of years of conversation with other Black artists around how to create a sense of belonging and healing to the area's Black community. With Griot Arts, she sees an opportunity to begin to shift that dynamic to the grassroots level."

Griot Arts' children's section

Griot Arts will include open studio events, family programming, and rotating exhibitions featuring BIPOC artists from the community. The bookstore will feature a curated collection of books by Black authors, according to the Griot Arts website, which noted: "Black-owned bookstores have a vibrant legacy of fostering communal care and empowering communities and we are excited about opening one in our city as an extension of our mission to celebrate Black arts and culture."

Nfonoyim-Hara told the Star Tribune: "We focus so much on the barriers and the things that are keeping--particularly, Black people--from succeeding in this community. But it almost becomes this pathologizing, kind of like the charity-case Black community; versus trying to celebrate and find empowerment and joy, and let people lead what needs to happen and what kind of spaces need to exist here."

Nfonoyim-Hara began laying the foundation for Griot Arts earlier this year with a series of local events for Black History Month, including a film series with Pop's Art Theater and open studio times with Art Heads Emporium. The events, she said, reinforced her idea that art can be used as a vehicle for healing and dialogue--not only for the Black community, but for anyone willing to share space and learn from one another, the Star Tribune noted. 

"Black culture is essential to American culture, and so being in conversation with it makes it less of this sort of thing on the side that we have to address and workshop," Nfonoyim-Hara said. "Social justice work can be done in creative ways. But it needs to live in a community. It needs to be done outside the walls of a boardroom."

Em Dash Books & More closed its bricks-and-mortar storefront in Buda, Tex., on June 11, but will continue to operate as a pop-up store, Community Impact reported.

In a message to community members, store founder Lola Watson wrote: "To ensure the long term sustainability of the bookstore we have to move out of our cozy little space at 200 S. Main St. So we made the difficult decision to move out rather than pay our staff late. The need for promoting a community that embraces the love and importance of reading south of Austin has not gone away. So we'll still be here, with a book recommendation and meaningful conversation!"

In the meantime, Em Dash will return to having regular pop-up and market appearances. This week, it began an ongoing pop-up at the Carrington, a wedding venue in Buda. The bookstore will also continue to do events like book club meetings and storytime sessions.

Watson opened the bricks-and-mortar storefront last fall after launching it as a mobile and pop-up store. It carries books for all ages at a variety of price points and promotes literacy for all.

Simon & Schuster has offered memorial information for Gary Urda, senior v-p, sales, who died on Monday after collapsing at his gym. All who knew him and worked with him are welcome to attend.

Gary Urda

Visitation is tomorrow, Friday, June 28, 4-8 p.m., at the Brueggemann Funeral Home, 522 Larkfield Road, East Northport, N.Y.

The funeral service will be held Monday, July 1, at 11 a.m., at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 20 Cheshire Place, East Northport, N.Y. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sean Urda Memorial Scholarship or the Marty Lyons Foundation. Cards may be sent to the Urda Family, 24 Julia Lane, East Northport, N.Y. 11731.

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, the marine biologist, environmentalist, and author of Blue Mind, died on June 10 at the age of 56.

Nichols was best known for popularizing the "Blue Mind Theory," a philosophy centered on the belief that humans enter a mild meditative, peaceful state when in proximity to water. Released in 2015 by Little, Brown, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Show How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do became a national bestseller, emphasizing the remarkable effects of water on health, wellbeing, lifespan, creativity, and beyond. Little, Brown Spark plans to release a 10th-anniversary edition of Blue Mind on December 3.

Nichols was also the author of Dear Wild Child, a picture book written with his daughter Wallace Grayce Nichols, inspired by a wildfire that destroyed the family home in Santa Cruz, Calif. The book was published in 2022 by Abrams Books for Young Readers.

He wrote more than 200 scientific papers, technical reports, book chapters, and popular publications; lectured in more than 30 countries and across the U.S.; and appeared in hundreds of print, film, radio, and television media outlets, including NPR, BBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside, USA Today, Elle, Vogue, Fast Company, Surfer, Scientific American, and New Scientist, among many others.

His family stated: "In honoring Dr. Nichols' legacy, we remember his dedication to science, his lifelong calling to conserve our planet's natural gifts and his passion for the ocean. He transformed our understanding of the relationship between water and wellness. Looking forward together, we remain steadfast--upholding J's mission to protect our fragile blue home."

The family suggested remembrances be made through contributions to the Dr. Wallace J. Nichols Memorial Fund.

Congratulations to Books on the Common, Ridgefield, Conn., which celebrated its 40th anniversary last Sunday, June 23, with a party featuring live music, food, beverages, and a photo display of the store over the years.

Darwin Eliis and Ellen Burns, with Books on the Common staffers.

The store was founded in 1984 by Bob and Sally Silbernagel, fulfilling their dream of owning a bookstore. Bob passed away in 1991, but Sally kept the store running despite competition from chain stores and the rise of online shopping and e-books. The store has been owned since 2004 by Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis, two longtime residents and avid readers.

Burns noted, "We celebrate the success of our store and all indie bookstores throughout the country. It's not an easy business, and so much has changed in bookselling in the past 40 years. But one thing that remains the same is our dedication to putting the right book into the right hands, and sharing the joy of reading with our customers of all ages."

Books on the Common, the owners added, is more than a place to purchase books, cards and gifts for all ages--it is a community hub and gathering place. Its presence makes Ridgefield not just a place to live, but a community people are eager to be part of.

Bright Side Bookshop in downtown Flagstaff, Ariz., hosted Hampton Sides (r.) for his new book, The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook (Doubleday). Among the attendees was former Texas Representative Beto O'Rourke.

Diamond Book Distributors will exclusively distribute Pegamoose Press products to North American and international book markets. Distribution to the comic book specialty market is handled exclusively by Diamond Comic Distributors.

Pegamoose Press was founded by comic book creators Troy Little (Cult of the Lamb, Rick & Morty) and Brenda Hickey (Aggretsuko, My Little Pony) to test the waters of crowdfunding for their books Halls of the Turnip King, Angora Napkin: The Golden McGuffin and Butterfly House. After three successful Kickstarter campaigns and some industry award nominations, they're expanding to publish titles by others, starting with a B&W fantasy epic, Orchard of the Tame, a debut graphic novel from Nick Cross and Marlo Meekins.

Hickey said, "Troy and I are excited to take our experience with publishing and push it forward with Orchard of the Tame. We are looking forward to partnering with Diamond Distribution for this next step and seeing our line of books emerge onto the North American comic and book markets."

Diamond Book Distributors president Tony Lutkus said, "We love the whimsical and diverse catalog of Pegamoose. From young adult and middle grade fantasy to award-winning magical mysteries and epic fantasy, Troy and Brenda have created something very special. Diamond Books can't wait to introduce their first book, this November."

Martha Bucci has been named senior v-p of sales and marketing for the U.S. for the Quarto Group, effective July 1. She has worked at Hachette Book Group for more than 15 years, most recently as v-p, leading the chain sales and mass channel sales divisions in New York and as imprint liaison with Little, Brown and Grand Central. She began her publishing career at Kids Can Press in Canada, specializing in foreign rights, co-editions, and international sales, then joined Hachette Book Group Canada as executive director overseeing sales and marketing.

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At HarperCollins:

Gillian Wise has been promoted to director, special markets sales and specialty publishing. She has been with the company for 14 years.

Michelle Ramos has been promoted to project manager, special markets, a newly created role.

Emma Tomko has been promoted to sales manager, educational sales.

Nicole Pingelton, senior manager, special markets, will now sell into the gift and specialty retail and wholesale channel, handling sales and relationships with gift rep groups and specialty wholesalers.

Karlee Stephney has been promoted to senior sales associate, special markets.

The Emotional Intelligence Skills Workbook: Improve Communication and Build Stronger Relationships by Stephanie Catella and Matthew McKay (New Harbinger).

Tomorrow:
Good Morning America: Jonathan Merritt, author of My Guncle and Me (Running Press Kids, $18.99, 9780762485611).

Book TV airs on C-Span 2 this weekend from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Monday and focuses on political and historical books as well as the book industry. The following are highlights for this coming weekend. For more information, go to Book TV's website.

Saturday, June 29
9:30 a.m. Edward F. O'Keefe, author of The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President (Simon & Schuster, $30.99, 9781982145682). (Re-airs Saturday, at 9:30 p.m.)

3:20 p.m. Johnette Howard, co-author, with Billie Jean King, of All In: An Autobiography (Vintage, $19, 9781101971475).

Sunday, June 30
8 a.m. Ali Velshi, author of Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy (‎St. Martin's Press, $30, 9781250288851). (Re-airs Sunday at 8 p.m.)

10 a.m. Ruchir Sharma, author of What Went Wrong with Capitalism (Simon & Schuster, $30, 9781668008263). (Re-airs Sunday at 10 p.m.)

2 p.m. Meghan Elizabeth Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, authors of The Conceivable Future: Planning Families and Taking Action in the Age of Climate Change (Rowman & Littlefield, $26, 9781538179697).

3 p.m. Ellen Galinsky, author of The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens (‎Flatiron, $32.99, 9781250062048).

4:20 p.m. Saul Perlmutter, John Campbell, and Robert MacCoun, authors of Third Millennium Thinking: Creating Sense in a World of Nonsense (Little, Brown Spark, $30, 9780316438100).

5:50 p.m. Zoë Schlanger, author of The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth (Harper, $29.99, 9780063073852).

6:50 p.m. Tom Steyer, author of Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We'll Win the Climate War (Spiegel & Grau, $28, 9781954118645).

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has named its 2024 Carle Honors Honorees, recognized for "exceptional work in the field of children's art and literature." The honorees will be celebrated September 26 during a Benefit Gala at the New-York Historical Society in New York City. This year's Carle Honors go to:  

Artist: Uri Shulevitz
Angel: We Need Diverse Books
Bridge: Kidlit TV
Mentor: The Horn Book

"The children's book world has no shortage of awards and accolades but the Carle Honors is the only one that is designed to acknowledge the whole, far-flung community of gifted and generous people and organizations that together perform the vital work of creating the best children's books and getting them out to all who benefit from them," said Leonard S. Marcus, Carle trustee, children's literature historian, and chairman and founder of the Carle Honors committee. 

Selected new titles appearing next Tuesday, July 2:

The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss by Margalit Fox (Random House, $32, 9780593243855) chronicles a crime boss in 19th-century New York City.

The Education Wars: A Citizen's Guide and Defense Manual by Jennifer C. Berkshire and Jack Schneider (The New Press, $24.99, 9781620978542) looks at ways to protect public education from the recent onslaught of extremists.

Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change by Cady Coleman (Penguin Life, $28, 9780593494011) is the memoir of an astronaut who spent six months on the International Space Station.

The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It by Corey Brettschneider (W.W. Norton, $32.50, 9781324006275) is by a professor of constitutional law and political science.

Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed by Maureen Callahan (Little, Brown, $32.50, 9780316276177) explores the Kennedy family legacy of misogyny and abuse.

Flashpoint: An FBI Thriller by Catherine Coulter (Morrow, $30, 9780063283091) is the 27th thriller with agents Savich and Sherlock.

The Cliffs: A Novel by J. Courtney Sullivan (Knopf, $29, 9780593319154) revolves around a Victorian house on the coast of Maine.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (Gallery, $28.99, 9781668036587) follows a young Iranian woman over the course of three decades.

The God of the Woods: A Novel by Liz Moore (Riverhead, $30, 9780593418918) takes place at a 1975 summer camp where a camper goes missing.

Big in Sweden: A Novel by Sally Franson (Mariner, $28, 9780063312746) follows an American woman on a Swedish reality TV show.

The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy (Delacorte, $12.99, 9780593705568) is a YA horror in which a group of online friends meet IRL with the goal of summoning a Slender Man-style supernatural creature.

Reckless by Lauren Roberts (Simon & Schuster, $21.99, 9781665955430) is the second title in the wildly popular Powerless Trilogy.

Paperbacks:
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel by Satoshi Yagisawa, trans. by Eric Ozawa (Harper Perennial, $17.99, 9780063278714).

Body Check by Elle Kennedy (Harlequin, $17.99, 9781335425539).

A Post-Truth World: Politics, Polarization, and a Vision for Transcending the Chaos by Ken Wilber (Shambhala, $18.95, 9781645473558).

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood (Berkley, $19, 9780593816134).

From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:

Hardcover
Swift River: A Novel by Essie Chambers (Simon & Schuster, $27.99, 9781668027912). "Swift River will be canon for those who want to learn more about biracial experiences. Essie Chambers thoughtfully pulls the curtain back on coming of age with a parent who loves you but, due to race, is incapable of understanding your experience." --Destinee Hodge, East City Bookshop, Washington, D.C.

The Guncle Abroad: A Novel by Steven Rowley (Putnam, $29, 9780593540459). "Guncle fans rejoice: this sequel brings back all the wry humor, miscommunication, grief, and joy of connection. Patrick's brother’s impending marriage reunites the family, even as it threatens to split them apart. A reader's delight." --Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books, Davidson, N.C.

Paperback
Service: A Novel by Sarah Gilmartin (Pushkin Press, $16.95, 9781911590828). "Service is slender, devastating, both timeless and inescapably pertinent to life now. This is destined to become canon for books about the underbelly of the hospitality industry and a cornerstone book about people who prey on women." --Camden Avery, The Booksmith, San Francisco, Calif.

Ages 4 to 8
Itty Bitty Betty Blob by Constance Lombardo, illus. by Micah Player (Hippo Park, $18.99, 9781662640148). "Betty is the sweetest blob around! This is a lovely story about being yourself no matter what and finding your people on your journey. A special story that will resonate for both young and old audiences!" --Isabella Barbuto, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ages 8 to 12: An Indies Introduce Title
The Spindle of Fate by Aimee Lim (Feiwel & Friends, $17.99, 9781250886194). "I loved this charming middle grade inspired by Chinese mythology, exploring themes of grief, growing up, and family. Full of action-packed sequences and quiet, emotional moments alike, this book was a wonderful read." --Donna Liu, Kepler's Books, Menlo Park, Calif.

Teen Readers: An Indies Introduce Title
Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch (Union Square & Co., $19.99, 9781454951599). "From start to finish this book grabbed me and pulled me in! The characters were incredibly relatable, beautiful and perfectly flawed in their own ways, and the plot kept me on my toes to the very last pages." --Kaitlyn Mahoney, Under the Umbrella Bookstore, Salt Lake City, Utah

[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]

In Loving Corrections, the 12th installment in the Emergent Strategy series, adrienne maree brown (Emergent Strategy, Holding Change) explores how correcting--and being corrected--relates to social change and justice movements. "I stand corrected, over and over and over in my life," writes brown in the opening lines, before dedicating the book to all those who have corrected and taught her and "were willing to get me together." Loving Corrections invites readers into this same space of correction, learning, and getting it together with a series of reflective and compassionate essays that consider "what it looks like to be steady in our offerings of love to each other, even as we learn together and learn from each other."

Loving Corrections is broken into three distinct but inherently interrelated sections. The essays in "Ruminations" center on righting past and present wrongs (patriarchy, racism, ableism, family wounds, to name a few). In "Murmurations," brown offers a selection of essays originally written for her YES! column of the same name, shifting attention from the systemic inequities to the more personal and individual concept of accountability, and how an expanded understanding of it better serves humanity as a whole. The final section, "Solstice and Equinox Spells," weaves brown's reflections into the rhythms of the natural world.

"If we understand that we cannot cancel other living beings from the world, then how do we find dignified ways of being in communities that face, address, and evolve beyond harmful patterns?" This type of questioning places Loving Corrections in a modern context, one drenched in social media and call-out culture, yet deeply rooted in historic and systemic power struggles. Inviting a reframe toward self-reflection and mutual accountability, brown encourages readers to recognize that the personal and interpersonal is inherently political: "my real goal at all times is to help us learn to love ourselves and each other... it feels like some of the most important political work of my life, weaving networks of love and care."

Loving Corrections provides readers a soulful addition to that lifelong work of love and care, as brown shares her wisdom and curiosity on the page to invite, challenge, and encourage new ways of thinking and being. In an era steeped in division and hateful rhetoric, it's hard to imagine a more important or necessary reminder that learning and accountability are best wielded not as tools of punishment and power but as keys to remembering our shared humanity on an endangered planet. --Kerry McHugh, freelance writer

Shelf Talker: This compassionate and reflective collection of essays invites readers to reconsider the role of correction, learning, and accountability in social justice movements.