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The mission at Charlie’s Queer Books is “to provide a unique bookstore experience that is dedicated to creating community connection through queer literature.” A range of books are offered covering topics and genres such as poetry, fiction, YA, graphic novels, memoirs, cookbooks, and LGBTQ+ studies. Inside the space, as well as online, the store hosts events including but not limited to author talks, book clubs, readings, and writing workshops.
Located in the Japan Center mall of Japantown in San Francisco, this location opened in 1969 and is the first Kinokuniya to open in the United States. The store was originally a second-floor shop with English and Japanese books, and Japan-related goods, but expanded to the first floor which now holds an expansive collection of manga and anime, art books, magazines, and merchandise in both English and Japanese. Occasionally, the store hosts signing events with writers and other creatives.
This literary arts center is located in western Massachusetts. Founded in 1992 by author Dori Ostermiller, the center offers a variety of weekly, half-day, and one-day writing workshops and retreats, craft development, editorial services, and a year-long manuscript intensive. Workshops are taught by published authors and take place both virtually and in person—in a bright, seven hundred-square-foot studio located in the historic Brushworks Arts and Industry Building. They also host a Community Writing Workshop series and a Live Literature Series, which are both free and open to the public.
Totem Books is an independent bookstore and record store in Flint, Michigan. The shop has an expansive collection of new and used books, a café, and hosts the Totem Talk series and other live events. They are open Monday through Saturday.
Literary Cleveland is a nonprofit organization and creative writing center that empowers people to explore other voices and discover their own. They provide workshops, events, and multiple levels of classes which allow writers and readers of any experience to participate. In 2017, Lit Cleveland introduced a Cleveland Stories, a neighborhood-based writing program; a staged reading series with Cleveland Humanities Festival; and Gordon Square Review, an online literary journal.
This Barnes & Noble bookstore is located in the Bay Street complex of Emeryville, California. This location hosts frequent literary events including book launches, readings, talks, and conversations. The shop is open seven days a week: Monday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Grassrootz Books and Juice Bar is an independent bookstore specializing in African American literature, history, and culture. Inside the bookstore is a juice bar and coffee shop as well as a workspace for the community. Grassrootz has an in-store community library with flexible extensions and the ability to borrow a book for thirty days for only five dollars. Books of all kinds and conditions are also accepted for donation. The shop hosts book signings and other events, and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Codex is an independent bookstore located in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Opened in January 2018, Codex sells new and gently used books with a focus on literary fiction, art, cinema, and philosophy. The shop also hosts book releases and readings. Open seven days a week from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Codex buys gently used books and has a charming cart with $1 books along the sidewalk.
Located downtown is the Central Library of the Kansas City Public Library. Founded in 1873, it is one of the oldest and third largest public library systems in America. Within the Central Library, the Missouri Valley Room contains a wide collection of items related to Kansas City local history, including original and published materials, news articles, postcards, photographs, maps, and directories dating from the city’s earliest history. The library’s Ramos Collection includes books, pamphlets, journal articles, and other materials relating to African American history and culture.
Blip Roasters is a café in a sunny, brick urban building in Kansas City, Missouri, which hosts weekly open mic nights, writing workshops, and bike nights for motorcyclists. Their Poetry Underground series features seasonal showcases and an annual poetry slam, typically requiring a cover fee for entry. There is also a conference room available for booking offering a quiet environment with a conference table, Wi-Fi access, and tinted windows for privacy.
