Independent Bookstore Day

We can’t wait to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with you again, Houston!

Independent bookstores aren’t just shops; they’re places for community, thought, and conversation. We’re thrilled to be a part of the indie bookshop scene in the US and Texas! What better way to say thank-you than a day-long party? Join us on April 28 for literary activities and refreshments.

All Day

Poster Raffle

Have you ever looked above the shelves of our store and noticed the huge blow-up images of book jackets? We’ll be raffling off two particularly popular jacket blow-up posters: MOONGLOW by Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Chabon, and 2018 Oprah Book Club Pick AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE by Tayari Jones (signed after her event with us on March 14). Purchase raffle tickets for $1 anytime during the day, and we’ll announce the two winners at 6pm!

10:30am

Story Time with the Nature Discovery Center

Join us for a very scaly story time! We will be reading a reptile-themed picture book. Then we will be joined by the Nature Discovery Center of Bellaire, who will be bringing live animals to the store.

12pm - 1pm

Face Painting

After story time, we will be joined by Charli Party, a local face painting artist. Find them online here.

1pm - 3pm

Poetry & Coffee

The Inprint Poetry Buskers spread the joy of poetry by composing poems on request for visitors. Visit their typewriters and get a personal Independent Bookstore Day poem to take home with you!

Plus, enjoy pour-over coffee by local coffee experts Southside Espresso.

3pm - 5pm

Summer Theme Announcement & Drunk Coloring

Today is the day that we announce our theme for summer programming, featuring a programming card, limited-edition bookmark, and window mural by local artist and illustrator Jade O’Lantern (@jadeolantern).

This afternoon will also feature our beloved Drunk Coloring. We have a limited-edition themed activity and coloring book available for purchase. Coloring materials will be provided.

Refreshments courtesy of our friends at 11 Below Brewing Co.

6pm

Raffle Prize Winners Announcement

7pm

Rodrigo Fresan - BOTTOM OF THE SKY

What better way to end Independent Bookstore Day than with a celebration of one of the indie presses we love? We welcome Rodrigo Fresan, author of several novels including store favorite THE INVENTED PART.

At its core, THE BOTTOM OF THE SKY is a novel about two young boys in love with other planets and a disturbingly beautiful girl. An homage to the history of American science fiction, it’s also about the Gulf War, 9/11, and a mysterious “incident.” It’s like a Kurt Vonnegut novel told by David Lynch through the lens of Philip K. Dick.

According to Jonathan Lethem, “he’s a kaleidoscopic, open-hearted, shamelessly polymathic storyteller, the kind who brings a blast of oxygen into the room.” According to our operations manager, Mark, “he broke me as a writer.”

He will be accompanied by his US publisher and indie press favorite Chad Post of Open Letter Books.