Category Archives: News

Hoover Library Hound

I have so many questions for the Hoover Library folks! I have no information about Libby, but the photo, the teasing announcement is wonderful and we want to know all the details.

  • What will Libby do?
  • Where does Libby come from?
  • Is this beautiful pup the one entering all the new data into the Libby library app?

“Libby is currently training to be our first canine librarian.  She will officially join our staff in August.  Check back here for a schedule of Libby’s appearances and to find ways to support Libby’s adoption.”

August seems so far away now. Can’t wait to hear more! If you’d like to keep up with the library, you can check out the site or follow them on all the social channels. They also have a fun Friends of the Library store you should check out if you’re in the Hoover, AL area. They have great prices.

Little Professor Book Center is Moving to New Location

The Little Professor bookstore in downtown Homewood is moving again. This time it’s relocating down the street to the old Nadeau building, located at 2738 18th St. S, which puts it across the street from a previous location which is now the big new Valley Hotel. As reported in the Homewood Star, the store owners plan to open the new spot sometime this spring. The Little Professor also has a shop in Pepper Place.

No doubt this will be a good move with lots of foot traffic as their sign will be staring every hotel guest in the face as they check-in. I hope Homewood addresses the walkability of that intersection, though. You can spend what feels like half of a lifetime waiting there to cross. There is so much car traffic. I’m excited to see how The Little Professor solves the parking issue there as well.

According to the piece in the Homewood Star, it sounds like The Little Professor owners will use this second move (they moved to their current location in 2017) to update their stock and fixtures.

I remember Nadeau having their mezzanine level. Wouldn’t it be fun if The Little Professor brought back their mezzanine of used books? I never sold anything to them, but I always enjoyed shopping those used shelves.

They will also have a new outdoor space to sit and chat over coffee.
According to that Homewood Star article, the new location will house about 20% more inventory, about 50% more seating space, and a larger children’s area.

Here’s to another wonderful move in downtown Homewood. Book people are the best, and as impressive as the Pepper Place store is, I am excited to see what the owners of The Little Professor create in their new Homewood location.

New Bookstore Opening at Pepper Place

Birmingham is getting a new bookstore downtown! Today, Homewood’s Little Professor bookshop announced they are opening a second location at 2807 2nd Ave. South, in Pepper Place, this year.

They said they’ve been on the lookout for “an experimental space” in which to set up a new concept for them. They plan on having a coffee bar, light cafe fare and cocktails to offer during events and throughout the day, alongside all of their books and magazines.

Sipping a cocktail while looking for a good read? Sign me up!

On August 27th, from 8am-12pm, you can get a taste of what they have planned during their first “pop up” shop. They’re hoping to tap into the crowds and community vibe of the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market as they test out their ideas and begin outfitting their space.

I’m very excited about another bookstore opening downtown. It’s going to be fun to follow along and see what the folks at Little Professor have planned. Here’s a photo tour of what their Homewood space looked like back in 2017 when they opened and you can read their full statement here about their new Pepper Place location.

little professor and pepper place

New ‘Far Side’ Cartoons

I don’t know if you’re as big a fan of the Far Side cartoons has folks in my house are, but they are the best. And they’re back! Well, sort of…

Just the other day Far Side creator Gary Larson posted on his site alongside 3 new cartoons. He says the new cartoons are a product of his exploring new digital tools, tablets and gizmos. He says he’s having fun again drawing.

Larson stopped making the cartoons back in 1995 because he was bored and said he didn’t want his creations to wind up in the “Graveyard of Mediocre Cartoons”. He hasn’t been drawing much since.

The box collection is a hot item during the holiday season. His books were an easy go-to when our kids were learning to read. And they’re ones my kids still pick up from time to time.

I really enjoyed the cartoons when I was younger and they were being published in the local paper. I’ve never quite figured out what made the cartoons are so funny. They have it all… talking flies, talking dogs, they’re full of bodily fluids and death. Lots of not-so-smart folks and aliens.

Some of the best ones are even just a single panel. I mean seriously, why does this one tickle my funny bone… every… time? I never get tired of watching George Washington Crossing the Street.

If you haven’t flipped through a Far Side collection, hit up your local library or but one at a bookstore. You won’t regret it. And be sure to check out his site as they share multiple cartoons every day from the archive.

And if you’re as big a fan of Gary Larson as we are, it’s time to rejoice! He said in his recent post that this is all still just “exploring and experimenting”, which is fine. I’m glad he has pen in hand and is sharing (but I really am hopeful he’ll start cranking out the funnies once again. I really could use a laugh these days).

Hope you are safe and well these days and surrounded by lots of good books.