The latest mass shooting in the U.S.--on Tuesday in Texas--has evoked a range of responses in the book world. Among them:
Instead of having a Memorial Day sale, Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Oakmont, Pa., is donating 10% of all purchases, in-store and online, to Sandy Hook Promise, the organization that aims to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children.
Owners Tara Goldberg-DeLeo and Kristy Bodnar wrote, "As parents and mothers of elementary school children, our hearts are absolutely shattered by yet another school shooting. We are heartbroken over the shootings in Buffalo and Laguna Woods. There are no words to describe our outrage, our sadness and our fear for the inevitable next mass shooting--a problem unique to our developed country."
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"How many more children will be lost before our country puts in place real policy measures to prevent this violence?" Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, N.Y., posted on Instagram, adding: "In response to yesterday's shooting, we are bringing back our Melt the Guns design by @carsonellis with all proceeds going to @everytown to support their work in advocating for common-sense gun policy. We have both T-shirts and prints available for preorder at the link in our bio. We are grieving with the community of Uvalde, Tex., and reeling from the relentlessness of tragedies in the U.S."
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In a message headlined "We Stand With You," Shari Stauch, owner of Main Street Reads, Summerville, S.C., wrote, in part: "There are no words to convey the sorrow we all share with our fellow American families in Uvalde, Tex. As a mom, with a daughter who's a teacher, and a bookseller in a store that proudly serves so many families in our incredible community, this most recent tragedy has saddened me more than most. Though several states away, it's too close to home....
"But sometimes, talking about it or writing about it can help the process. This Monday, on Memorial Day, our fine writer's group, Main Street Writes, will meet on Zoom as we do most Mondays. Time will be set aside at the outset of this meeting and for as long as everyone wishes, for those wishing to share poetry or prose relating to the fears and frustration we all feel in the wake of senseless tragedy. None of us can change what happened, but sometimes gathering each other close and sharing our thoughts and words can help in some small measure to heal the grief we may feel."
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MahoganyBooks, Washington, D.C., and Oxon Hill, Md., posted on Instagram: "Folks so busy out here banning books. We need to focus on banning these guns!" The store added: "Priorities! Our hearts are beyond heavy. Our spirits are... tired. You can have your opinions, we surely can have ours. Banning. Controlling. Stronger background checks. Something has to change. #guncontrolnow."
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On Instagram, Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Island, Wash., posted a series of pictures of staff holding books and wrote: "Our booksellers have been talking about what our response should be to what's happening in this country. We've decided we want to share what we know best: book recommendations. If you are able, please consider making a donation to Everytown for a cause we feel very passionate about."
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Posted on Facebook by Read Between the Lynes, Woodstock, Ill.: "Hi, friends. Our hearts are heavy. We came across this article from NPR entitled "What to say to kids when the news is scary" and wanted to share it with you. For parents and caretakers of children, we hope you will find the article informative and the resources helpful when faced with having these challenging conversations."
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On Instagram, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, Mich., posted a phrase that someone typed on the store's typewriter: "children over guns."
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On Instagram, Chapter One Book Store, Hamilton, Mont., posted a picture of a display window reading, "Celebrating graduates, mourning students who will never get to graduate." The store added: "Through waves of rage, despair and panic, we're still here holding space for all of it. Call your elected officials. Tell your loved ones they are precious. Scream into the void. Have difficult conversations with each other. Books are a great way to start the conversation, but as readers, we still have a wider responsibility to engage with our world. Take care. It's ok to not be ok, but don't let that stop you from taking action."
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Friday, June 3, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Penguin Publishing Group and PRH are partnering again with Everytown for Gun Safety in support of #WearOrange weekend, to help raise awareness and send a powerful message to end gun violence.
PRH has updated its National Gun Violence Awareness Day Book List, is working to get bookstores and authors involved, and encouraging authors to sign up for the Everytown Authors Council, a group designed to harness the power of the literary community to amplify the gun safety movement.