#nokings Portland frog brigade

#nokings in San Francisco

You know where you can find some actually radical ideas? In an indie bookstore. Specifically in the young teen section. Those kids are reading about some wild ideas like equality, justice and consequences.

I mean my reach here is tiny. But this is one extremely smart and talented children's book expert.

Today I am on the back of the struggle bus wedged under the seat.

Great disturbance in the bookselling force tonight as B&N buys Books Inc, the oldest indie bookstore in the west.

This morning in #bookselling an elderly customer was complaining that “the animals in this book don’t even live in this country”. So I guess even animals can be the target of isolationist nonsense.

Is it just me or does the news seem like something from a South Park episode right now?

In awe of this icon at MoMI in Queens when a Gen Z woman behind me said “she’s so beautiful”. She is.

Pulp’s Misshapes has never sounded more spot on. I keep listening to the live version from Glasto this weekend and I just cry.

Oh Alanis, I wish I had 10,000 spoons.

Everyone who went to school between Sandy Hook and today gets a free pass. No one over forty gets to tell you a damn thing about “back in my day.” Adults spent over two decades “protecting” you from books and did less than dick to protect you from getting shot. Have all the middle fingers.

There have been a lot of bad days. Today seems to be one of the worst. Read. Think for yourself. Check in with your real life communities.

In the spirit of Glastonbury I am seeing a symphonic version of Bowie’s last album today and Earth Wing & Fire tomorrow. I contain multitudes.

Today in #bookselling a retired librarian asked me if I’d heard of Alan Garner. This was the moment I’ve been training for since I was 9 years old.

If Democrats truly want to appeal to young men, they should probably start presenting themselves as the party that definitively *won’t* draft you into an illegal war.

I am begging people not to look to the NYT for coverage of what's happening. The BBC, Le Monde, Ajazeera and others will have more truthful coverage.

Yesterday in #bookselling I met an enthusiastic dog named Gusto and played catch with a two-year-old. It's not a good living, but it's a good life.

Today in #bookselling TikTok admits it "was not enough, it seems, to build a successful publishing business." I've been saying this for ages, I think social media just promotes books. Booksellers sell them. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/b...

I woke up today with the realization that the majority of Talking Heads songs either don’t rhyme or barely rhyme. Most people probably know this, but I’m amazed that I seem to have dreamt it.

Mary Engelbreit 👇 Goodnight everyone. 🥱

I am at a conference today where I will be talking about the critical thinking, community building and empathy that comes from reading aloud. I can’t join a protest today. But I will continue to be anti fascist today and always. #nokings

The cops shot and injured THREE journalists in LA yesterday. This isn't "responding to violence" this is "starting a fight". www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...

“Tasted a little tear gas— tasted like fascism”

Today in #bookselling a bookselling colleague referred to our monopolistic wholesale supplier as "a gaggle of chaotic goblin geese" and I will now forever think of them this way.

Wet Leg. Elbow. Garbage. October is going to be a very busy month.

Today in #bookselling was an absolute banger. Best bit was a three-year-old with very firm opinions about picture books. They asked repeatedly for "storeberry" (by Don & Audrey Wood) and "hatback" (by Jon Klassen). Excellent taste. #booksky💙📚

Today in #bookselling I am very tired of battling incompetency. Very, very tired.

Former register of copyrights Shira Perlmutter filed suit in federal court on May 22, challenging her removal from office and seeking reinstatement to her position at the U.S. Copyright Office.

"being here today is a political act" - Ashley Nelson-Levy Publisher, Transit Books. 1,000s of orgs have lost expected grants in 2025. The Transit folks are customers in my store, sponsors of my mad ideas and hella good at publishing. Please buy Transit books or donate. www.transitbooks.org/donate

Today in bookselling I met a 4 day old human. Gave a teen a free book. Handsold The Fourteenth Goldfish to an ex-professor of jellyfish. And then I went to a fundraiser for a local small press who just lost $40k of NEA funding because of fascism. I am tired now.

We Need Diverse Books and more than 40 organizations representing parents, grassroots organizers, authors, librarians, booksellers, and publishers have signed a statement on the Trump Administration's firing of Dr. Carla Hayden. Share & act now ⬇️ 📧 bit.ly/EmailHayden

I guarantee that every independent bookstore in America could knock up a real list of real new books in a few hours. Everything is stupid. #booksky 💙📚 www.404media.co/chicago-sun-...

Me: A chandelier can be classy. American Music Venues: How about 8 of them? To be fair, The Fillmore is my favorite venue in SF. Perfect live sound despite the chandelier overdose. Alison Moyet was AMAZING tonight.

Why do I have the feeling he’s there to argue the ability of the library to use its holdings—much of which has been digitized—to train AI? This administration is nothing but grift.

I would like to celebrate this special moment for the non-religious community, when the NYT finally took the Pope off the front page. Say what you like about religions they never let you forget they’re there.

NEW: ALA salutes Dr Carla Hayden for her exceptional service to the nation as the Librarian of Congress. We are deeply disappointed in Dr Hayden's abrupt & unjust dismissal last night, an insult to the scope & breadth of her work. Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...

“the removal of Dr. Carla Hayden as the Librarian of Congress is a grave mistake...Her firing is a disgraceful act and one that should concern everyone.” - Meg Medina And where is the current Ambassador for Children's Literature? Am I missing something? www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

I love "Candace, the Universe and Everything" by Sherri L. Smith. The real world side of magical adventures gets the spotlight it deserves in this multi-generational magical mystery. A true young teen book, with messy friendships, first kisses and windows in the sky. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out Sept 2025. #booksky 💙📚

I feel sick.

Today in #bookselling a lot of teachers had funds to use before the end of the week. I've never smashed together so many quotes and wishlists in one day before.

Tony Blair lost elections after he bent the knee to George W. Bush on Iraq. Today's "deal" is the same thing only weirder. It won't play well politically. It's not a fully thought out deal. The US prez lies and reneges on deals. The 10% tariff is still in place.

Melinda Lo responds to her multi-award winning book “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” being banned from all schools in South Carolina.

Today in #bookselling... nextdoor.com/p/s8Ddz8Bgm9...

The Tear Collector by R. M. Romero is a middle grade post-apocalyptic story about lies, grief and how misinformation bubbles controlled by the power-hungry can turn us all into monsters. I LOVED this, it's dark and perceptive and full of flawed characters. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out Oct 2025) #booksky 💙📚

Some very good news for your Monday! The right to read won BIG in Texas on Saturday. Thank you & congratulations to Frank & everyone else who made this happen!

Today in #bookselling was my last day in the shop for TEN days. I'm trying an experimental reading week. Still working, but from home and reading as many new Fall books as possible. Expect multiple indie next reviews.