Category Archives: Birmingham

3 Birmingham Book Blogs to Follow

One of my favorite things about Birmingham is the book culture. Looking online I know the local book scene is not “in your face” like the football fans or as scary as all of the “weather geek” updates, but man we have some cool people in Birmingham doing cool things to promote books, authors and reading. I have to admit to being a fanboy of some of them. There are some that you know you’d enjoy chatting with if you ever just bumped into them at the grocery store or bar. Here are three local Birmingham bookish bloggers that I always look forward to seeing updates from. Even if they are talking about books that I’ll never read, their passion for books is addictive and fun to follow.

So if you enjoy discussions with fellow book-folk, be sure to check these out:

Church Street book blog header

Church Street Coffee & Books – the bookstore crew over in Mt. Brook keep the Postscript updates coming regularly with guest posts, book reviews and insights into the world of “running a bookstore”.

Medusa's Library Book Blog

Medusa’s Library – this blogger works over at another great local bookstore the Little Professor in Homewood. If you like book-related conversation the posts here are fun. If you’re into paranormal books and sci-fi fiction you are going to be very very happy.

Oh My Godwin book blog

Oh My Godwin! – this local tumblr is dripping with bookish goodness. Some posts are humorous and some elevate books. My favorite updates are the photos. All of which will have you smiling wondering “can I have a room like this in my house”?

So those are three of my favorites. Who am I missing?

Book Sale – Irondale

There is a used-book sale this Saturday, September 29th at the Whistle Stop Festival in Irondale. The book sale runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is being held by the Friends of the Irondale Library group. They plan on having a booth set up in front of the library (which is about a block from the railroad tracks). They also will have more tables with books for sale set up inside the library.

Irondale Library Booksale Banner

I think this might be a great quick little stop this weekend. Especially if you can get there early enough before the tables are picked through. I have not heard any information on prices. But if they stick with what they usually charge you will be looking at 50 cents to $2 per book. Have a good weekend!

Homewood Library Used-Book Sale

Grab your helmets and elbow pads, it’s time for the annual Friends Blockbuster Used Book Sale in Homewood! This is always a good sale, with mountains of used-books stacked all around a large room at the Homewood Public Library. There is a special prview night on Friday, August 10th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. but this pre-event is for Friends of the Library members (it’s $5 for an individual membership and $10 for a family. PDF form to join.) only.

The doors do open to the public on the weekend though:

  • Saturday, August 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 12th from 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

It’s always a good well curated sale and it’s always crowded. Prices usually fall in the $1-$4 range. Though it’s not uncommon to find 50 cent books in the kids sections. While all the good finds go early in the sale, it’s also fun towards the end of the sales as they often start offering “Fill a grocery sack for $5” kind of deals.

Book Events: July 29th – August 5th

Here are three bookish-type events going on this week in the Birmingham-area. If you know of any upcoming author signings, book sales or library events around the Birmingham area, please share via email or in the comments.

Tuesday, July 31st at 6:30 p.m. – Books-to-Movie party viewing Watchmen movie at Avondale library.

Wednesday, August 1st at 12:30 p.m. – Historic Landmarks of the World (Brown Bag Lunch) at Emmet O’Neal library

Friday, August 3rd at 6:30 p.m. – Bards & Brews Poetry Slam at Avondale library.