At Dragon Tale Booka, Menomonie, Wis.

Booksellers and others in the book world participated in various ways in the nationwide general strike on Friday to protest ICE and the Border Patrol's killing, detaining, and harassment of U.S. citizens and others in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Politics & Prose, Washington, D.C., for example, held "a Speak Your Mind informal discussion [Friday] evening for people to share thoughts on the recent events in Minneapolis and on the general state of the country," the store reported. "Planned and hosted by P&P's coffeehouse, The Den.... We had 20+ attendees chatting about the organizations they support, how they vet the news, ideas for activism, and more. We handed out Red Cards and information on donating to mutual aid organizations. Representatives from FreeDC spoke, as did our co-owner, Lissa Muscatine."

Indie booksellers' social media posts responding to the call to action reflected their independence, sense of community, and activism. Here's a small sampling: 

Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, N.C.: "A one-day general strike is symbolic, but as booksellers we believe in the power of symbols. One missed day of work and of sales on its own makes little direct impact to the economic numbers that seem to have come to matter more than people do. But even if our only impact is to stand in solidarity with the lives lost in Minnesota (and beyond) and with the individuals who continue the fight for our rights, we can't sit by and act like this is all just another day to work or shop."

Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, Wash.: "If you need a place today to call your elected officials, cancel subscription services, organize with your neighbors, rest from protesting, or pick up community alert whistles, this space is here for you. We love our free community space provided by Third Place Commons @thirdplacecommons We encourage folks to talk to each other today."

Reads & Company, Phoenixville, Pa.: "We are fortunate to do our work in a progressive, caring, and thoughtful place--we 100% believe it is our mission to be there for our community when the world seems upside down, even if it's for just a short time on a frigid Friday in January. That all said--if any of our booksellers choose to not work tomorrow, or choose to join the march/protest at 3 pm, we support their decision and stand behind them."

At Avid Bookshop

Avid Bookshop, Athens, Ga.: "In case our 15 years of out-loud activism don't make it clear, we'll say it here: Avid Bookshop supports today's general strike. To remain a third space for anyone who wants it, the store is staffed today. You are invited to visit--please come by.... We're proud of you, bookish buds. Hang in there."

Pearl Street Books, La Crosse, Wis.: "We struggled with the decision of whether to close today. In the end, we chose to stay open for our usual hours today, January 30th. Our hope is to offer a third space for community--come in for warmth, to meet others, or to make a sign. We have markers and cardboard ready. Just ask us."

Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, Mo.: "As the world continues to get harder to face and the news more difficult to bear, the importance of community only grows. We recognize the value of the national shutdown that is taking place today, but we know that Skylark is both a haven and a resource for many. To that end, we will be open today for comfort and conversation, but will have no expectations of purchases. We will add some extra chairs to the table upstairs and welcome our friends to join us. Like so many, we are heartbroken to watch the erosion of humanity and values in our country. And so we intend to cling strongly to ours."

Literally Bookshop, Gilbert, Ariz.: "Our store was built on the very foundations of creating connection. Bookstores are a unique space where connection and conversation happen. We are open tomorrow as a third space. We have no expectation of purchases tomorrow and fully support the economic blackout. Should you choose to make any purchases, we will be donating 15% of all sales to @the_florenceproject."

At Carmichael's Bookstore

Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, Ky.: "Our doors will remain open today because we, as always, want to stay true to our mission of welcoming people into our spaces as a place to gather, feel welcome, learn something new, have an escape or moment of peace, or whatever else you need from our community. We are watching what is happening in this country along with all of you. We are always looking for opportunities for education, support, and even resistance."

Sunday Bookshop, Dripping Springs, Tex.: "We will be open today, 1/30. however, we didn't make this decision lightly as we are in full support of the economic blackout today and we don't want anyone to think that us being open means that we aren't.... so yes, our doors will be open today if you'd like a quiet place to escape to for a moment, with absolutely no expectation to make a purchase (there is never any expectation to make a purchase, by the way… we just love having you here.)"

Toadstool Bookshop, Keene, N.H.: "The Toadstool Bookshop stands in complete solidarity with those participating in the nation-wide general strike happening today in protest of ICE's actions in Minneapolis.... We are still open today, and we encourage readers and browsers to come in and pick up a title on solidarity, establishing mutual aid, how to organize protests, and how to effect change in the community."

Curious Iguana, Frederick, Md.: "We support this collective pause on spending, work, and school and discussed as a team how best to participate. We've decided to be open tomorrow for our Frederick community. If you need a space to warm up, talk about the books you love, browse the shelves to quiet your mind, or just exist in a safe place where you are loved and welcome, we are here for you, no purchase required."

Highland Books, Brevard, N.C.: "Participating in the national strike today and not spending money? Have a book on us! We have a cart of free advance reader editions right near the front door." 

Rough Draft Bar & Books in Kingston, N.Y., which had to close temporarily last week because the frigid weather burst pipes in its building, was able to reopen Saturday. The bookstore posted on Instagram Friday: "We're back. Plumbing repaired, wiring replaced, shop cleaned and put back together. Thankfully we didn't lose many books or equipment when the frozen pipe burst upstairs, and we're grateful that the building department and our contractors got us fixed up so quickly....

"It's been a rough week, between the closure for snow days and now this, not to mention the larger national issues going on all around us. But having so many people and organizations reach out to us has been truly uplifting. From neighboring businesses offering their spaces as pop-up locations, to our national bookstore group reaching out with advice, to our team members who spent the past few days working behind the scenes, this experience has reminded us that we really are part of an amazing community--several amazing communities, really--that really have our back. 

"We're okay, thanks in large part to this village that keeps us going. Thank you for always showing us the silver lining--even when it's literally raining inside our shop."

Powell's Books, Portland, Ore., has completed a series of layoffs that began in June and have amounted to about 20% of Powell's staff, Willamette Week reported. 

Without providing numbers, Powell's owner Emily Powell said in a statement last week, "These decisions have been extremely difficult, and we recognize their impact on our employees. With this final round complete, our focus shifts to execution, delivering on the experience our customers have come to expect from Powell's Books and strengthening the fundamentals of our business."

Myka Dubay, union representative for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5, which represents Powell's employees, told Willamette Week that 40 union positions have been eliminated across the company during the past year, along with approximately 20 management positions. Dubay added that in August when layoffs were first announced, there were 324 union members at Powell's, including temporary employees hired for the summer. At the end of January, union employees at Powell's totalled 223. 

In November, Powell's confirmed that it had let go 31 employees since June in several rounds of layoffs.

Dubay added that the union is, Willamette Week wrote, "working to ensure that the layoffs are carried out under the terms of the union contract, which stipulates that most workers are eligible to be recalled if or when Powell's increases staffing in the future." The union has a first meeting scheduled with David Maquera, the CEO Powell's quietly hired last September.

Powell's has struggled in the past few years, facing rising costs and sales that haven't climbed back to pre-pandemic levels.

Half Price Books' Texas Bookman division has launched NAMASTE, the New Age, Metaphysics, and Spirituality Trade Expo, which aims to bring together industry publishers, authors, exhibitors who offer metaphysical, spiritual, and esoteric wholesale goods. The first iteration of NAMASTE will take place Friday-Sunday, June 5-7, at the company's 21,000-square-foot showroom in Carrollton, Tex., near Dallas. NAMASTE is collaborating with the Coalition of Visionary Resources, which will host its COVR Visionary Awards Dinner on June 6.

Texas Bookman said NAMASTE "builds on the success of the Texas Remainder Expo (T*REX)," which was founded in 2022 and attracts hundreds of remainder book buyers and sellers twice a year.

James Palmer, director of proprietary publishing for Half Price Books, said, "Since acquiring U.K. distributor Speaking Tree and its publishing imprint, Lost Library, we've been eager to support the industry with our own brand of trade show. We take pride that our shows are easily accessible and affordable, and that buyers and sellers are treated with equal respect and hospitality."

Tyrrell Mahoney, president of Chronicle Books, has been elected chair of the board of the Association of American Publishers for the 2026-2027 term. She has served on the board since 2019, most recently as vice chair, and succeeds Brian Murray, president and CEO of HarperCollins. Mahoney has been president of Chronicle Books since 2017. After joining the company in 1996, she held several executive management and sales positions.

Tyrrell Mahoney

Maria A. Pallante, president and CEO of the AAP, said, "Tyrrell Mahoney has been a knowledgeable and consensus-driven member of the board for seven years, and an especially important voice for independent houses. There is no question that she assumes the role of chair at a time of tremendous challenge and change for the industry, and we are thrilled to have her at the helm.

"We also recognize Brian Murray for his tremendous service to this organization. In completing his second term as chair since 2008, he has been a leader among leaders for the AAP community."

Mahoney commented, "I am honored to step into the role of chair and work alongside the exceptional AAP team at this pivotal time for our industry. Maintaining the independence and vitality of publishing in the U.S. has always been at the heart of the AAP's mission, and this work is now more important than ever. I look forward to collaborating with the entire organization on the AAP's vital work of preserving copyright protections, safeguarding freedom of expression, addressing the challenges of AI technologies, and upholding publishing's essential role in our culture."

The board also elected Dr. James Milne, president of ACS Publications, as vice chair, and Youngsuk "Y.S." Chi, chairman of Elsevier and director of corporate affairs for the RELX Group, as treasurer.

Susan K. Nelson, longtime owner of the Book Loft in Fernandina Beach, Fla., who "devoted her time to the bookstore and to the community it served" for more than two decades, died January 26. She was 83. In a social media post, the bookstore noted: "Her dedication, love of books, and commitment to fostering connection left a lasting impact on all who knew her and on the many lives touched by the Book Loft."

Susan K. Nelson

On the bookshop's website, Nelson had written that the Book Loft "is the legacy of my husband, the late Bill Nelson. A former business executive from Ohio, lending a hand to a bookstore there, discovered a whole new lifestyle for himself.... Bill created an 'old-fashioned' bookstore where people can browse and enjoy a beautiful collection of books. Our customers become nostalgic when they approach the store slowly, stand and stare at what they have missed."

After her husband's death in 2011, Sue Nelson recalled that she "jumped in with both feet to sustain the operation despite the economic downturn and bleak outlook for indie bookstores. I haven't looked back! Our customers are loyal, the Amelia Island visitors are generous, and we have flourished as the island's oldest independent bookstore."

In 2018, she was presented with the Literacy Champion award by the Amelia Island Book Festival Awards program, the Fernandina Observer wrote. At the time, chairman Steve Berry said, "The Literacy Champion award is awarded to you, Sue Nelson, for offering a supportive environment for local authors and promoting events that encourage the joy of reading, writing and lifelong learning among people of all ages."

Nelson "became a cherished fixture in the historic downtown, known for her warmth, sharp intellect, and ability to connect readers with exactly the right book. Her presence left a lasting imprint on the cultural life of Fernandina Beach," the Observer noted.

She was the first female president of the Erie County Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of trustees of the Sandusky State Theatre. Her volunteer service included committee work with the Sandusky Bay Festival and the March of Dimes, as well as board service with Communities in Schools in Fernandina Beach. 

In a tribute, the Amelia Island Book Festival posted on Facebook: "In light of Sue Nelson's recent passing, we want to take a moment to honor and thank her for the massive role she played in supporting the Amelia Island Book Festival.... Sue shared our mission to advocate for literacy in Nassau County and The Book Loft has been a collaborating partner with AIBF for the last 25 years. Thank you Sue for all of your efforts, we will continue to honor your legacy. Our hearts are with Beth, Sue's daughter, and the entire Book Loft staff."

Book Passage, Corte Madera, Calif., hosted author Lily King for her new novel, Heart the Lover (Grove Press). King (front, left) was in conversation with Luisa Smith, buying director of Book Passage.

Anthology for Books in Geneseo, Ill., noted that it "has many 'regulars'... guests who pop in every few days (some even more often) just to see what's up. We love you ALL, and we are especially thrilled when Kellen shows up. He experiences the bookstore with so much joy! Through his eyes, the mail slot is a magic portal, bookmarks are perfect on their own, and having a plaything on hand is obviously required for happy browsing.

"Next time you visit us, leave your adulthood in the hall and tap into your inner child. And if you really want to be like Kellen, bring along a playful object. His choices this week were a toy car and a balloon. What would you bring?"

At Macmillan:

Jennifer Edwards has been promoted to senior v-p, field sales, author events, wholesale, library marketing, and sales strategy.

John Edwards has been promoted to senior v-p, trade retail sales, Canada, academic marketing & international sales.

Ansley Kent has been promoted to national accounts manager, sales.

Erin Powell has been promoted to associate, field sales marketing sales.

Lia Ding recently joined the company as manager, international sales.

Jake Albalate recently joined the company as sales assistant.

National Park ABC! by Gus D'Angelo (Mountaineers Books).

Today:
Good Morning America: James Martin, author of Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest (HarperOne, $29.99, 9780062694485). He will also appear tomorrow on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Jennifer Hudson Show: Taylor Cassidy, author of Black History Is Your History (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 9781665957700). 

Tomorrow:
Good Morning America: Susan Lucci, author of La Lucci (Blackstone, $29.99, 9798874868284). 

CBS Mornings: Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee, authors of Rise, Girl, Rise: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together for All (Orchard Books, $19.99, 9781338888942).

Julianne Nicholson (Hacks, Paradise) and Coco Greenstone will join Brad Pitt in A24's film version of Tim Winton's novel The Riders, with Edward Berger directing and David Kajganich adapting. Deadline reported that Scott Free's Ridley Scott and Michael Pruss will produce the movie alongside Kajganich and Berger's Nine Hours, as well as Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner for Plan B Entertainment. Production will begin soon and shoot in multiple locations across Europe. 

Deadline added: "The novel follows Fred Scully (Pitt), who, after traveling through Europe for two years, winds up in Ireland with his wife and daughter. And on a mystical whim of his wife Jennifer, they buy an old farmhouse that stands in the shadow of a castle. While Scully spends weeks alone renovating the old house, Jennifer returns to Australia to liquidate their assets. When Scully arrives at Shannon Airport to pick up Jennifer and their 7-year-old daughter, Billie, it is Billie who emerges--alone. There is no note, no explanation, not so much as a word from Jennifer, and the shock has left Billie speechless. In that instant, Scully's life falls to pieces."

The winner last night of the Grammy award in the Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category was Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

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Peter Venison won the inaugural Gambling Book Awards for Sol: My Friend and Adversary, Sol Kerzner, the Bookseller reported. The winner was presented with £7,000 (about $9,605) and a handmade cast-iron trophy, created by mid-Wales blacksmith Brân Davies. Each of the shortlisted writers received £1,000 (about $1,370) and a trip to Barcelona (flights and hotel) for the European Casino Awards ceremony.

Publisher Mel Ferguson, founder of Ride or Die Press, said: "Peter's memoir Sol: My Friend and Adversary really brought the legend of Sol Kerzner to life and also gave us a wonderful glimpse of Peter's fascinating career. I am incredibly proud to have published the winner of the inaugural Gambling Book Awards."

Gambling Book Awards co-founder and The Gambling Files podcast co-host Jon Bruford commented: "Any of the four shortlisted books would have been worthy winners, and putting these awards together has been a genuine privilege. We can't wait for next year's event." 

At a moment in which the glow of screens is rivaled only by the ever-present "skyglow" of municipal grids, the experience of a true night has become nearly a historical relic. In Nightfaring: In Search of the Disappearing Darkness, Megan Eaves-Egenes takes readers on a restorative journey into the few remaining pockets of the planet where sundown still signals the appearance of stars. Her focus is the profound, creeping loss of the nocturnal world, a phenomenon often accepted as merely an aesthetic casualty of progress, but which she argues is a fundamental disruption to the nature of humanity. She presents light pollution as greater than simply an environmental metric; it's a sensory dazzling that has effectively desensitized people to their place in the cosmos, turning their gaze inward instead of out into the infinite.

Eaves-Egenes writes with the authority of a childhood spent outdoors stargazing "in the middle of nowhere" with her father in New Mexico and a career spent traversing the globe. As a former editor for Lonely Planet, she has honed instincts for what is peripheral or might be overlooked by others. This sensitive perspective allows her to bridge the gap between the rural darkness of a lightless room at a monastery in Germany and the artificial twilights of our densest metropolises, like London, where only 10 out of thousands of stars might be visible on a clear night.

Eaves-Egenes treats darkness as a physical substance, a presence with its own distinct textures, sounds, and even scents. She goes beyond the visual spectacle of the Milky Way to delve into the tactile experience of moving through a landscape where eyes cannot be relied upon. She describes the heaviness of a moonless sky and the ways that other senses--hearing the shift in wind, feeling the drop in temperature--sharpen when the light is absent. Her prose embodies the sensation of adapting to the darkness; it begins with a sharp, lucid critique of modern industry and gradually softens into a lush, meditative rhythm that feels like a late-night conversation quietly held under a vast canopy of stars.

Like The Darkness Manifesto by Johan Eklöf and The End of Night by Paul Bogard, Nightfaring explores the idea that humans have a biological and psychological right to darkness. Eaves-Egenes convincingly demonstrates how our circadian rhythms and our capacity for wonder are being eroded by the orange-hued constancy of the 21st century. Nightfaring will resonate for anyone affected by persistent light fatigue, as well as for the amateur astronomer and the environmentally interested looking for a fresh perspective on conservation. It's a call to reclaim rest, silence, and sense of scale in a world that refuses to turn off the lights. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, Wash.

Shelf Talker: Nightfaring provides a moving argument for navigating the way back to the majesty and intimacy of the shadows, showing that profound discoveries are often made in the dark.

The bestselling Libro.fm audiobooks at independent bookstores during January:

Fiction
1. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Penguin Random House Audio)
2. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (Tantor Media)
3. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (Simon Maverick)
4. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (Macmillan Audio)
5. Game Changer by Rachel Reid (Tantor Media)
6. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Penguin Random House Audio)
7. The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid (Harlequin Audio)
8. The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig (Hachette Audio)
9. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Penguin Random House Audio)
10. My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney (Macmillan Audio)

Nonfiction
1. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green (Penguin Random House Audio)
2. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Penguin Random House Audio)
3. Enshittification by Cory Doctorow (Macmillan Audio)
4. All in Her Head by Elizabeth Comen (Harper)
5. A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst (Penguin Random House Audio)
6. 107 Days by Kamala Harris (Simon & Schuster Audio)
7. An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi (Mariner)
8. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Tantor Media)
9. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari (Harper)
10. Wordslut by Amanda Montell (Harper)