Latest news with #ShelbyVanPelt
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Find your next favorite local author at The BookSmiths Shoppe in Connecticut
Find your next favorite local author at The BookSmiths Shoppe in Connecticut Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week, we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have Michelle Smith, owner of The BookSmiths Shoppe in Danbury, Connecticut. What's your store's story? In February 2023, we opened the first independent bookstore in Danbury, Connecticut. We are a woman-owned enterprise, and the core mission of our bookstore is to cater to local authors. We hear that they are often ignored by larger and more popular bookstores for author events and exposure and we give them a voice. We also won the James Patterson Holiday Bonus in 2023. As a hybrid bookstore, we are proud to sell new and used books in the same space, offering a more curated and elevated book stack. What makes your independent bookstore unique? We are located in a one-million-square-foot corporate park, so we're not your typical brick-and-mortar store. The building is home to corporations, apartments, retail and doctors' offices. We provide a respite for the employees who sit at their desks and need a break. What's your favorite section in your store? The local author section is my favorite and the first thing you see when you enter the bookstore. We are happy to display the books these authors have published for years. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt is not only wholesome, but creative and well written. It moved me, and appeals to all types of readers. The connection between humans and other life sources is celebrated in this book when humans fail to provide much-needed intimacy. What book do you think deserves more attention and why? "I Wasn't Supposed To Be Here" by Jonathan Conyers. In 2023, I had the pleasure of meeting Conyers at the Bookmarks Festival in North Carolina. His story depicts the epitome of survival when the odds are against you in life. From the moment he was conceived, he wasn't wanted, yet he thrived and survived through the storms, challenges and trials of being Black, the child of drug-addicted parents and living in poverty. I absolutely love his story – it reminds me to appreciate my life, shortcomings and practice immense gratitude. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? We support local authors, care about the environment, offer a curated selection of books, assist our local library and donate to non-profits. We also hold book signing events, networking and health seminars and cooking demonstrations, keeping literacy alive. The truth is, we rely on the support of our community to thrive. Every purchase, every visit, every word of mouth recommendation makes a difference. We'll continue to be here, serve our community and share our love of books as long as we have that support. It's a symbiotic relationship, and one that's essential for the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? We co-host the "Hat City to Hollywood" series in collaboration with The Danbury Cultural Commission, the Danbury Library, the Danbury Railway Museum, Rosy Tomorrows and Lesser Evil Snacks. This series explores Danbury's real-life locations that have made it to the silver screen. June 13's event is "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2." We also have author signings in July with Shawniel Chamanlal and Chris Deflorio.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Most popular books borrowed from Michigan libraries via MeLCat online catalog
As National Reading Month ends, amid growing concerns about future federal funding for libraries, the Michigan eLibrary has tallied the state's most-requested books year-to-date. MeLCat is an online catalog service that lets library members borrow books and other items from over 400 libraries statewide. Most books on the list were recently published fiction, although one title was published over three decades ago. Published in 1993, late science fiction writer Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower" ranks 12th for this year's most-requested title. The novel predicts a dystopian future, set in 2024, where a young protagonist is forced to navigate conditions of scarcity, political unrest and climate change. More: Michigan libraries, museums brace Michigan libraries, museums brace for loss of federal funds after Trump executive order "The Frozen River," written by Ariel Lawhon, tops the state's library lending list so far this year. The book, inspired by the life and writings of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century Maine midwife, has been checked out more than 200 times between Jan 1 and March 18. A fictional story of a widow who forms a bond with an octopus at an aquarium where she works is the subject of the debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt. The book, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" published in 2022, ranks 4th on the statewide list this year and was the most requested book last year. "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride "The Women" by Kristin Hannah "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge Four of last year's top five requested books remain popular in the first quarter of 2025. In 2024, more than 980,000 items were loaned out using the MeLCat system, according to the state. Contact Kristi Tanner: ktanner@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Most popular books borrowed from Michigan libraries via MeLCat
