One of Birmingham’s more eclectic literary spots is breaking out the guerilla tactics to help keep the doors open. Home to one of the best local collections of used books and staffed by volunteers, Greencup Books sponsors local music shows, reading and classes. Most of which bring in a few dollars in donations as best. The shop has tried to make a go at it on meager foot traffic and online sales, but they’re just not footing the bill.
So, the every energetic and creative staff have organized a Read-a-thon. They’re asking local Birmingham folks to gather up “nickle a page” sponsorships and then stop by the store and start reading 8am Friday, December 19th through 8am Monday, December 22nd.
They are calling it the inaugural GreencupBooks Book, Zine, and Music Fair and it’s on the calendar for November 14 and 15. GreencupBooks and Bare Hands Gallery are neighbors over on 21st Ave South and they’re teaming up with the local literary zine phenom The2ndHand to throw a two day bash celebrating “local and regional writers, literary magazines, small presses, comix artists, record labels and bands, zine makers, and handmade book artists, along with live music and readings.”
Their announcement says
Join us Friday night for a welcome party/reception for participating vendors, followed by a creative reading by THE2NDHAND, followed by live music. The party begins at 6 p.m. On Saturday, readings will occur periodically during the day, followed by performances and an afterparty at the bookstore. The afterparty begins at 9:30 p.m.
How can that not be a fun couple of days? You can check out the GreencupBooks site for more info, if you’re interested in being a vendor and/or setting up a table.
According to their site, the Booksmith will have copies of all 29 Roth titles available and will be serving wine (to help fortify your courage to throw out questions to Roth, on this national stage).
Roth’s new title (with a ho-hum so-so cover) drops a couple of weeks from now and is titled Indignation.
For first pick through this year’s books, show up at the library at 6:30pm, on Friday, Aug. 15th and pay $2. That gets you in to bag the books and includes wine and snacks.
There is no cover charge for the rest of the sale (though you do miss out on the choicest picks)…
Saturday, August 16 the books will be on sale from 9 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 17 the books will be on sale from 2 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Monday, August 18 the books will be on sale from 9 a.m.– 8:30 p.m.