Don’t Leave Yet…
Please tell Summer we need her to stay a little while longer!
July was a whirlwind of travel and we loved it! We took time out to connect with family on a reunion cruise and enjoy nature. The break gave a us a chance to prep for the remaining summer and upcoming fall events.
August has quite a few book celebrations. How are you planning to enjoy National Book Lovers Day (August 9) and Bookstore Romance Day (August 15). Below are a few of our favorite bookstores if you’re looking for ways to celebrate and support independent bookstores.
Bird in Hand & The Ivy - The Ivy Bookshop Bookshop
Black English Bookstore - Black English Bookstore Bookshop
Blinking Owl - Blinking Owl Books Bookshop
Charm City Books - Charm City Books Bookshop
Loyalty Books - Loyalty Bookstores Bookshop
Park Books - Park Books and Park Books on Main Bookshop
Queen Takes Book - Queen Takes Book Bookshop
Snug Books - Snug Books LLC Bookshop
We were honored to be invited on Angela & Ayoka’s “Writing While BLACK Podcast.” We knew we were going to have a good time because we felt instant camaraderie even before Author Ayoka hit the record button. We’ll share the link once it’s posted. Check out their previous interviews on Spotify and YouTube. Please like, follow, or share their podcasts for literary news and recommendations.
“Writing While BLACK Podcast”
Do something!
Legislators are still behaving badly…please contact your senators and request they oppose Senate Bill (S.B.) 4925. It’s the companion bill to House of Representatives (H.R.) Bill 7661 which supports a book banning agenda. And if you feel inclined, request your Representative support H.R. 8235. The "Books Save Lives Act" would "…require certain libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books."
We’d love to see you out in the community!
Upcoming Events
Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) Annual Conference, Orlando, FL August 5-8
Indies & Bookworms Book Fair, Baltimore, MD, August 15
Simply Written Here Author Showcase, Catonsville, MD, August 29
Women in Fiction Book Fair, Glenn Dale, MD, September 19
“Porch Echoes and Front Step Truths,” Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum, Catonsville, MD, September 27
Information about all events may be found on our events page.
Do you have favorite Black sapphic authors?
The Book Lovher Awards “recognize excellence in Black sapphic literature and celebrate the stories that brought us joy, made us laugh, kept us up all night, and reminded us of why representation matters.” The nomination deadline is August 7, 2026.
There’s still time to make summer memories!
Naomi + Rivers
