"The events that we do, the places where we give a community opportunity to meet and discuss things in a non-threatening way, in a very welcoming way. I think that's the healthiest thing that we can be doing right now."

Keaton & Lloyd Bookshop, Rome, N.Y., which was hit last week by an EF2 tornado, has launched a $5,000 GoFundMe campaign, noting on Facebook: "We've spent the last five days trying to determine the next steps. On Monday, a disaster remediation crew will visit us to start the interior cleanup. At this time, we're asking for financial contributions to assist with deductibles and replacing that which is not covered. Help restore Carl's home!"

"We were in the shop when it happened. We were not hurt," owner Julie Whittemore told the Daily Sentinel, adding that all they were aware of was the wind and rain. "I honestly don't really remember. We just ran toward the back of the shop.... It took a few seconds to wear off, and then we hunted for the cat," said Whittemore, adding that Carl was found "hiding in the ceiling, which is his favorite place."

The 200 block of West Dominick St. sustained extensive damage. The front windows of the bookstore were blown out and rain and debris poured into the front section of the shop. The Daily Sentinel noted that that "most of the bookstore's windows shattered, including upstairs, and doors have been knocked out of place. The roof is heavily damaged and the HVAC systems are destroyed.... The books and merchandise in the first quarter of the store have been heavily damaged, though Keaton & Lloyd is a deep building and the merchandise in the back is in much better shape."

"It's hard to say when we will be open again," said Whittemore. "We had tons of people show up to help board things up.... It's nothing that can't be fixed with time." She has already applied for the small business help set up by Mayor Jeffrey M. Lanigan. 

Kris Kleindienst

Left Bank Books, St. Louis, Mo., is honoring one of our favorite booksellers, Kris Kleindienst, for her 50 years with the bookstore and with Left Bank Books Foundation. The event begins this coming Saturday, July 27, at 2 p.m., with an outdoor ceremony at Left Bank Books, followed by a happy hour with refreshments from 3-4 p.m. inside the store. The proceedings will be livestreamed for people who can't attend in person.

The store noted that attire is casual, and in lieu of gifts, contributions can be made in Kris's honor to the Left Bank Books Foundation, whose programs include providing free books to children in public schools, making banned books accessible to anyone who wants them, and bringing diverse, talented authors to St. Louis for signings and events. In this first year of "The Kris Campaign," the goal is to raise $12,000 to bolster the Foundation's literacy and justice work. Donors who give more than $20 are automatically enrolled in the Left Bank Books Friends Loyalty Program.

RSVP to the event here. The link for the livestream will be e-mailed the day before the event to those who request it.

Since opening in Shoreline, Wash., this spring, Ridgecrest Books has been finding its footing and getting to know its community, the Seattle Times reported.

Co-owners Becky Merilatt and Kevin Roberts officially opened the bookstore in April. Located at 512 NE 165th St., Ridgecrest Books carries a variety of new and used titles for readers of all ages, alongside puzzles, journals, and other nonbook items. Its event offerings include a monthly book club, children's storytime sessions, and author readings. The shelves have been designed so that almost everything is at eye level, and in the store's children's section, the floor is higher to make sure kids can see things at eye level, too.

Both co-owners have prior experience in bookselling. Merilatt has worked at Elliott Bay Book Company as well as at Secret Garden Books, where Roberts also worked. Roberts told the Times: "When Becky told me she's always dreamed of opening up a bookshop, the time was right and the location was right and we decided to go for it."

Merilatt described the store as residing in a "pocket" of local businesses within a "very residential area." While not many people outside of the area know about it, the "neighborhood is so supportive of its businesses."

So far, the children's section and the science fiction section have done very well, which was expected; the owners have been pleasantly surprised with how well translated fiction and small press titles have done. Standout titles include Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum, Ocean's Godori by Elaine U. Cho, and There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib.

Jana Bommersbach, a longtime journalist for the Phoenix New Times "who wrote the definitive book on one of Arizona's most infamous suspects," died July 17, the Arizona Republic reported. She was 78. Bommersbach was the author of seven books, including true-crime, novels, and a children's book, but her best-known work was her debut, The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd.

Convicted of killing two women in a Phoenix home in the 1930s, Judd was sentenced to die by hanging but later judged insane and eventually released. Bommersbach interviewed Judd for her book and pored through case records. Her book cast doubt on what had been the accepted and sensationalized version of the tale, the Republic noted.

Athia Hardt, a family representative and former Arizona Republic reporter who confirmed Bommersbach's death, remembered her boisterous personality: "Jana was always bigger than life. She had a good time wherever she went and lived life to the fullest."

Phil Alvidrez, who was news director at KTVK-TV, said he unsuccessfully tried in the late 1980s to lure Bommersbach away from New Times and have her work as the station's investigative reporter. He later was able to bring her on Good Morning Arizona in the 1990s. She also co-hosted Books & Co. on KAET-TV.

"Jana had this unique ability to make people think," Alvidrez said. "She was able to provoke people whether they agreed with her or not, and maybe take a moment and actually consider something."

Bommersbach's other books include Funeral Hotdish and Cattle Kate: A Mystery. Her final book, Hellraisers and Trailblazers: The Real Women of the Wild West, was a collaboration with Bob Boze Bell, who had been a cartoonist at the New Times while she worked there. 

"Time for a little escape! Come pick your potion and fly!" advised Birdie Books, Westerville, Ohio.

Morgan Maple has been promoted to publicity manager at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

The Dark!: Wild Life in the Mysterious World of Caves by Lindsey Leigh (Penguin Workshop).

Today:
Good Morning America: Nicole Lapin, author of Rich Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan for Getting Your Financial Life Together... Finally (Morrow Paperbacks, $18.99, 9780062998866).

Live with Kelly and Mark: Gary Janetti, author of We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay (Harper, $27.99, 9780063329744).

Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Keanu Reeves, co-author, with China Miéville, of The Book of Elsewhere: A Novel (Del Rey, $30, 9780593446591). They will both appear tomorrow on Good Morning America.

Tomorrow:
Today Show: Chris Whitaker, author of All the Colors of the Dark (Crown, $30, 9780593798874).

Kelly Clarkson Show: LaDarrion Williams, author of Blood at the Root (Labyrinth Road, $20.99, 9780593711927).

Late Night with Seth Meyers repeat: Julia Phillips, author of Bear: A Novel (Hogarth, $28, 9780525520436).

A trailer has been released for an upcoming documentary, Shine On--The Forgotten Shining Location, a peek behind the scenes of the film adaptation of Stephen King's novel. IndieWire reported that "few movie sets in Hollywood history have generated more interest than the Overlook Hotel from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.... The hotel sets, hailed by many as some of the defining craftsmanship of Kubrick's filmmaking career, now get their moment in the spotlight." The doc is set to be released on Kubrick's official YouTube channel this Friday, July 26, the late director's birthday.
 
Produced in partnership with the Stanley Kubrick Film Archive and the director's estate, Shine On--The Forgotten Shining Location is narrated by Martin Sheen, directed by Paul King, and features interviews with the film's art director Les Tomkins, producer Jan Harlan, and Kubrick's daughter Katharina Kubrick. They revisited some of the last remaining studio sets from the movie, which were thought to have been destroyed years ago.

"There have been so many rumors about some of the sets from The Shining still existing at Elstree Studios [near London], but to actually find them and walk around them was like discovering a holy grail of film history," King said.

Oswald Egger has won the €50,000 (about $54,460) Georg Büchner Prize, awarded annually by the German Academy for Language and Literature to authors "writing in the German language whose work is considered especially meritorious and who have made a significant contribution to contemporary German cultural life."

The jury said that Egger, "since his first publication in 1993, has transcended and expanded the boundaries of literary production." His works "invite associative decision-making of meanings, and playfully undermine explanation systems we are familiar with" and are rooted in the multilingualism "and the landscapes of his South Tyrolean origin."

One of Germany's most prestigious literary awards, the prize is named in honor of the author of the influential German play, Woyzeck.

LibraryReads, the nationwide library staff-picks list, offers the top 10 August titles public library staff across the country love:

Top Pick
House of Glass: A Novel by Sarah Pekkanen (‎St. Martin's Press, $29, 9781250283993). "Best interest attorney Stella Hudson is assigned as counsel for nine-year-old Rose during the family's custody case. Working with the child--mute after witnessing the tragic death of her nanny--Stella begins to uncover something quite sinister and so unnerving that it may put her own life in jeopardy. This suspenseful, thrilling novel is perfect for fans of The Push by Ashley Audrain." --KC Davis, LibraryReads Ambassador

You're the Problem, It's You: A Novel by Emma R. Alban (Avon, $18.99, 9780063312036). "The one thing Bobby and James agree on is that the other is infuriating. When the two are blackmailed, they have to work together to protect their reputations and their new feelings for each other. This found family story showcases the unconditional love between the varied cast of characters while playful hijinks bring a positive, uplifting tone to a subject matter that can be harrowing. A heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance." --Sabrina White, Middletown Township Public Library, N.J.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark (Tordotcom, $20.99, 9781250767042). "Clark's novella, set in a new fantasy world, features a well-crafted conundrum in which Eveen the Eviserator is sent on a mission to kill a younger version of herself. This tale is filled with gods and assassins, Clark's trademark wit, and fascinating characters." --Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, Mich.

Strange Folk: A Novel by Alli Dyer (‎Atria, $27.99, 9781668045770). "Lee moves her children from their sterile life in California to the small Appalachian town where she grew up. The children discover the literal magic rooted in their ancestral homestead. With an unreliable narrator and a pace that never lets go, this impressive debut novel is about the love one feels for family and how to reconcile that with the deeply flawed human beings they might be." --Katherine Hunnicutt, Naperville Public Library, Ill.

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks (Putnam, $19, 9780593851869). "Irish mortician Callum has to find a wife, or he can't inherit. Lark is a widow vacationing next door who doesn't want to find love again for herself but agrees to help Callum find a wife. Of course, love is right in front of them! Readers will enjoy this slow-burn Grumpy/Sunshine romance." --Kista Black, Cabell County Public Library, W.Va.

That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America by Amanda Jones (‎Bloomsbury, $29.99, 9781639733538). "Part memoir, part manifesto, this inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of the culture wars is recommended for any teacher, librarian, or friend of libraries. This detailed account of being targeted by censors sheds light on the tactics of those who seek to force their narrow world view on everyone else." --Karen Troutman, LibraryReads Ambassador

The Break-Up Pact: A Novel by Emma Lord (St. Martin's Griffin, $18, 9781250845306). "June and Levi have been friends for many years, but have long since gone their separate ways. This wholesome and spicy story of long-lost friendship, loss, and healing is unraveled with witty banter, viral internet videos, and everyone taking steps out of their comfort zones. A perfect summer read!" --Kacey Wurster, Martin County Library-Fairmont, Minn.

Magical Meet Cute: A Novel by Jean Meltzer (‎Mira, $18.99, 9780778334415). "When Faye comes back from a failed dating event at her synagogue to find her neighborhood littered with antisemitic fliers, she feels hopeless and ends up drunkenly making a golem. The next day, she hits a man with her bike, giving him amnesia. But is he a man, or did she conjure a golem? Readers will love the characters and enjoy learning about Jewish magic." --Esther Petrushka, Queens Public Library-Corona, N.Y.

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (‎Berkley, $18.99, 9780593642603). "Ember aspires for a better job than her current dead-end one. After repeated failure, she lies by writing 'White' on her resume instead of 'Native American,' landing her the job. But now she can't stop lying, even when she meets the hot IT guy at the office. With heartfelt storylines about family and identity, this steamy debut rom-com is a must-read." --Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library

Lady Macbeth: A Novel by Ava Reid (Del Rey, $28.99, 9780593722565). "In this reimagining of the tragic play, Lady Macbeth is a witch who can cast a spell on any man with merely a glance. Reid's lush and captivating writing stays true to the central themes of power and gender politics while creating complex characters. Lady Macbeth is not just manipulative, but a survivor in a brutal patriarchal world." --Rummanah Aasi, Skokie Public Library, Ill.

"Oh, the games families play with each other." So opens Jami Attenberg's 10th book, A Reason to See You Again, which evinces her mastery of dysfunctional family stories. The novel spans 36 years, zooming in for vignettes that illuminate one Jewish nuclear family. The Cohens experience estrangement and reunion, their circle widening and retracting as partners and friends enter and exit the picture. Meanwhile, the characters grapple with sexuality and addictions as they ultimately decide between hiding and figuring out who they really are.

The action opens in 1971, on Rudy Cohen, a 41-year-old Holocaust survivor; his wife, Frieda, who works in a nursing home; and daughters Nancy, 16, and Shelly, 12. Every Saturday evening they play three Scrabble matches. The wholesome family routine can't last, though: Rudy is ill and, in the first of many flash-forwards, Attenberg divulges his death a year later. Frieda attempts to assuage loneliness through substance abuse. Nancy gets pregnant at 21 and later becomes a wellness coach. Shelly, a math genius, moves to Seattle to work on early cell phones.

The close third-person perspective shifts effortlessly between perspectives. Chapters fall into thematic sections named for common experiences such as "Moves," "Emergencies," and "Confessions." The focus is on three generations of women: Frieda, Nancy, and Shelly, and Nancy's daughter, Jess. Patterns of psychological damage repeat as Nancy follows Frieda into alcoholism and emotional abandonment of her child. Specific incidents also recur, such as male bosses sexually harassing young female employees. Shelly is particularly noteworthy as a childfree woman in STEM who becomes her artist niece's chief supporter.

Attenberg (I Came All This Way to Meet You, 1000 Words) knows where to shine a spotlight to reveal characters' personalities and dynamics. Visiting Nancy, Shelly is taken aback by a 20-foot Christmas tree and mountain of presents for four-year-old Jess. The extravagant holiday display can't hide the tension between Nancy and her philandering husband, Robby. Nancy pulling the plug on Christmas foreshadows the failure of their marriage. In another unforgettable scene, Shelly and Jess stumble on Rudy's silk robes and Shelly explains that he was a closeted homosexual--all the more poignant because of Shelly's latent love for a female colleague and Jess's gay future.

The constant challenge is to break free and start over. Attenberg's characters are as loveable as they are maddening, and the combination of choices and luck makes the novel's events feel as random--and genuine--as real life. --Rebecca Foster, freelance reviewer, proofreader and blogger at Bookish Beck

Shelf Talker: Jami Attenberg's seventh novel is another masterful dysfunctional family story, this time focusing on the love lives and careers of three generations of women.