While most of us are feeling the social distancing blues right now with concerns over COVID-19 continuing to cause more county-wide regulations and shut-downs, there has also never been a better time to embrace your reading habit or pick up a book addiction. Last week’s stay-at-home ordinance might have you wondering how local bookstores are faring during these times. We have you covered. We reached out to The Twig, Nowhere Bookshop, and Barnes and Noble to bring you information on how to support San Antonio’s local bookstores.
Reading Recommendations
Unsure what to read? We suggest starting with the stellar lineup of 120+ writers that were slated to participate in our 8th annual San Antonio Book Festival this weekend. You can filter by genre and age range to find your picks. For a quarantine reading list, take a look at our Literary Director’s recent recommendations.
The Twig
The Twig is offering curbside service daily from 10 AM – 6 PM and free delivery inside Loop 410 for books in stock. You can also order audio, e-books, and hardcopy books online with options for shipping directly from the distributor or from The Twig. In addition, if you are looking for something to supplement distance learning, every Friday at 10:30 AM you can join Miss Anastasia on Instagram for a storytime session. If you enjoy reading Texas history, The Twig’s Texana collection is highly recommended. The Twig has been committed to education, history, and the San Antonio community since 1972. Your continued support will honor their steadfast dedication to providing authors and poets a space in which to showcase newly released books for children and adults. To help The Twig continue to enhance our city, visit them at www.thetwig.com.
Nowhere Bookshop
Nowhere Bookshop is an emerging bookstore founded by bestselling author Jenny Lawson. Although they had hoped to open their doors by now, they have partnered with Bookshop.org to keep you reading during these socially distant times. To be sure that your support will pay it forward to this new and unique bookshop, look for the Nowhere Bookshop logo in the top left corner of your screen while browsing the multiple titles available. Other offers include the Fantastic Strangelings Book Club, which delivers one book a month to your door for a $25 monthly fee. This club is perfect for the book lover whose needs involve not having to leave the house or put on socially acceptable pants. If we are being honest, that description might extend to all of us right now. Online book club discussions will also be available for those unable to afford the monthly fee.
Barnes and Noble
Barnes and Noble has been the official bookseller of the San Antonio Book Festival for the past eight years. All five locations in San Antonio are temporarily closed but are still offering curbside pick-up for Buy Online/Pick Up in Store orders placed at www.barnesandnoble.com. Books may vary by store so check availability on the website and then call the store when you are outside. They will bring your books to you.
Did we miss a local bookstore? Let us know what they’re offering during these times at sabf@saplf.org and we’ll happily update this list. PLUS, we can all still support the San Antonio Public Library. All branches are temporarily closed through April 19 to limit the spread of COVID-19 but the digital collection (ebooks, movies, music, audiobooks, etc.) is available at mysapl.org.
Don’t forget to tag us on social with #sabookfest to let us know what you’re reading!
