I stopped by @backwaterbooks.bsky.social in OEC today to pick up the book selections for the first ever Howard County ADULT Battle of the Books! I can't wait to get started! (I've already read 2 of the 6 books, but definitely plan to re-read and take notes as I prep for the "battle" in October!)

The US economy is set to lose billions of dollars in revenue in 2025 from a pullback in foreign tourism and boycotts of American products.

Books entertain and educate. Book clubs build community. Now's a good time to be a part of a community, if you'd like.

“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.” Powerful. Well done, Harvard.

The more powerful institutions indicate they have some semblance of a spine against the MAGA fascists, the more others will follow

Librarians are some of the most detail-oriented, policy driven, and dare I say it neurotic people I know and I know lots of them. Books are chosen and recommended carefully. And yet politicians think they know better than librarians to the point to where they threaten them with imprisonment.

Pressure groups. Ask yourselves why and what do they get out if it. Follow the money. @la-cac.org @oif.bsky.social @ifrt-ala.bsky.social @uabookbans.bsky.social

If you saw me take down and reupload the same IG story three times... no you didn't

We've got a limited amount of Sunrise on the Reaping back in stock! Swing by tonight before we sell out!

🚨The #freedomtolearn and literary expression is under attack across the South. As book challenges and bans are on the rise, some libraries are facing censorship and even fines and jail when they disagree 🔗: www.splcenter.org/resources/st...

“If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic,” Pritzker said.

We’re putting together a blog list of books ft. trans characters/rep for TDoV and we’d love to include as many as possible! Drop self-promo & recs below with 🏳️‍⚧️ book title 🏳️‍⚧️ author 🏳️‍⚧️ genre 🏳️‍⚧️ additional rep 🏳️‍⚧️ GR links 👌🏻 pre-orders ok as long as there’s a placeholder cover 👌🏻 short stories ok

It's Tarot Night! Drop by between 5 and 9 PM for a private, walk-in tarot reading by Rissa Miller 🔮

BREAKING: A federal judge in Maryland has just barred DOGE from accessing Social Security, saying the group is on a "fishing expedition" that jeopardizes people's personal data. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

1-800-BLUES are performing a set of Delta blues at the Bibliopub tonight from 8-10 PM. Try our new Tough Luck Negroni and lounge in our seating area during the show!

One day is just the beginning. There's an entire campaign planned out, but getting people to agree to one day will make them more likely to sign up for the next and the next. Activism is a muscle that can be strengthened with repetition

Nothing says hivemind like all 3 openers wearing black overalls to work today.

Did you know we have live music every Saturday night? Stop by tonight from 8-10 PM for a set by Ahmed Warshanna & Friends!

In case you live in a red state and feel like your voice doesn't matter--it does. Keep the pressure on.

Also:

The Ryan Watkins Group is playing a set of jazz tonight at 8 PM! Drop by the Bibliopub for free live music!

This is VERY good news. Love bookshop.org and all the stuff they do! www.salon.com/2025/01/28/b...

A reminder that fiction — books, film, games, what have you — is always political. The willful absence of “politics” in any work is itself a political choice and a political act. Who gets to tell (and sell) stories is political. It might be an undercurrent — covert, not overt. But it’s there.

Horror books are saving my life these days. ❤️‍🔥

Shop Libro.fm's Romance audio book sale from 2/5-2/19! Fall in love with a new love story while supporting indie bookstores! Go to libro.fm/sale to check out what's available! #booksky 📚💙 #backwaterbooks #indiebookstore #bibliopub

Happy Black History Month. Listen to, support, fund, and uplift Black people. #BHM #BlackHistoryMonth Black journos: go.bsky.app/QvS5FNb Black scientists: go.bsky.app/Ao3Qt9a Black academics: go.bsky.app/RyKSzcb Black democracy experts: go.bsky.app/6WTBzhX Black in tech: go.bsky.app/2RAbS3g

Helpful resource for attending school board/library meetings. Book challengers show up at these meetings--we need people in favor of reading freedom (the vast majority of people!) to be there too. bsky.app/profile/dran...

If you're interested in learning more about Rank Choice Voting, drop by tonight and listen to Alicia Beall's presentation at 6 PM!

We're closing at 4 PM today to prepare for the winter weather! We'll see you Monday night for the Onyx Storm release party!

Join us for an Onyx storm release party Monday evening! Doors open at 10 PM Jan. 20th, and we'll have a themed cocktail, drink specials, and games! Preorder your copy of Onyx Storm on our website 📚💙 #booksky #romantasy #backwaterbooks #bibliopub #releaseparty #indiebookstore #shopsmall

We host live music every Saturday night! If you're looking for free entertainment this weekend, stop by the Bibliopub and listen to live jazz!

Today's Sisyphean task is cleaning up all the salt tracked onto the floor #snowday ❄️

Reminder that our 1st BiblioLove meeting of the year is Thursday, Jan. 9th from 7-8 PM! We'll be discussing Casey McQuiston's "The Pairing." #bookclub #bibliolove #queerromance #romance

The one con of opening instead of closing on Saturdays is that I don't get paid to listen to live jazz while on shift. I do enjoy being free at 6:30, though.

We're closing at 6 PM today so we can ring in the New Year with our families. Happy New Year!

I recommend reading banned/challenged books so you're not like the people who try to ban books without even reading them.

Reminder we're closing at 3 pm today Happy Holidays!

Get a library card even if you're not planning to use it. It impacts their funding.

Need recommendations for your next read? Check out the top 10 most challenged books of 2023 in the USA according to the ALA. 📚💙 #booksky #bookrecs #bannedbooks

Here's an updated schedule for any changes in our hours over the holidays. Drop in to get any last-minute shopping done!

If you want to read more, here’s what I recommend: try different formats. Listen to audiobooks, find graphic novels, or pick up a poetry book. No book is for every reader, and not every reader is excited for every type of book. #booksky #reading #books

#SeasonsReadings everyone! During the month of December we are hosting a small event for #BookSky! For more information on the event and how to participate, please read the thread below. We look forward to seeing what everyone is reading throughout the month! #BookishQOTD 📖🦋❄️

Time's almost up! Drop by the store to purchase your $10 ticket for a chance to win these Juniper Books editions of Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. We'll announce the winner Tuesday, December 17th. Good luck!

My personal reading resolution next year is to not be so caught up in my reading goal. For the latter half of the year, I've been so consistently stressed about being 7 books behind that I don't always enjoy reading. -Becky #booksky 💙📚 #books #indiebookstore

Warm yourself up on this chilly, rainy day by grabbing a seat at the Bibliopub and trying out one of our holiday cocktails! (Don't forget to vote for your favorite drinks in town on the ECP website!) visitoldellicottcity.com/holiday-cont...

Join us for December's UnBook Club meeting this Wednesday, Dec. 11th 6:30-8 PM! There'll be cookies, raffles, and community! See our Instagram for more details. www.instagram.com/p/DDaBIPIt-sa/

If you have little ones in your life that you still need to buy presents for, we're offering 15% off all children's books 12/10-12/15! (Applies to in-store purchases only)

I don't know who needs to hear this, but you don't need to justify your reading preferences and choices to anyone. Audiobooks count as reading. Also, you don't have to finish books you don't enjoy. Don't read to impress, read for yourself. Life's too short, love yourself, ok? Signed, a librarian

Christmas tree made of books. From the Ohio Capitol Law Library, Columbus, OH My first post on this topic had more than 600 likes. I was amazed. I also enjoyed the comments. Thank you.

Reader, I hope you get a little quiet time alone with a good book this Friday. I hope hours go by and you don’t even think about anything else but the story in those pages you’re turning. 🖤✨