Have I mentioned how hard you’re going to groove to Hot Wax from @mlrio.bsky.social?

Can you find Crush from the incomparable @adacalhoun.bsky.social on the shelves @lovestruckbooks.bsky.social? Of course! In her debut novel, Calhoun delves into the perils and pleasures of a midlife affair in this whip-smart, funny and fabulously honest look at a rebellious romance.

It’s interesting — I feel like I *must* be missing something, but, alas, I just don’t have any desire to watch them. I liked the original Superman when I was a kid, though!

The Maris Review, vol 36 Happy new year. Who can say what 2025 has in store for us, but I know for sure there will be good books. Allow me to shout about my friends for a bit?

I wrote a highly biased guide to (most of) my friends' books being published in 2025. This feels like the perfect use of my newsletter. open.substack.com/pub/mariskre...

Ok, at Lovestruck Books this year, we definitely had the hunky Australian firefighter calendar — next year we add the Sexiest Collard Farmer calendar, naturally.

*waving wildly!*

A bookseller is shown — in a brand new bookstore in front of a fabulous floral window display — absolutely cackling with delight because he’s about to shelve Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.

When you keep finding old friends in your brand new store and it makes you smile! Like @minjinlee.bsky.social, who has a fabulous spot on our shelves! Yay, Pachinko!

Absolutely! This photo was pilfered from online, so not my own. Usually, I’d have an unopened roll of the corresponding coin in that slot, but candy!

Candy!

Thanks to Elon Musk and Donald Trump, Republicans cut $190 million for pediatric cancer research from the funding bill.

Congrats to DOGE on their first victory.

Thus speaketh the Leviathan!

I hope we were nice!

Oh. Oh, my!

Though this be full of the mirth of heaven, so much so that I must say, good on ye! Also, though, I must protest! Thine drawer shall not spin wrongly, even under our Lord and Savior, Coriolis!

Why are ye fearful, o ye of little faith? I shall arise and rebuke the wrongful quarters, the wayward twenties, and then there shall be a great calm!

I dareth not do that! Overtop forever!

A typical cash drawer is pictured with the bills in their appointed slots, with one dollar bills on the left, and pennies also on the left, with larger denominations flowing to the right as our Good Lord intended.

My retail brethren! I come to you today with a question, maybe THE question of our times! When setting up your cash drawer, do you arrange it as pictured, with your one dollar bills and your pennies on the left, or — are you a monster?

@newtonvillebooks.bsky.social @portersqbooks.bsky.social

Wait! Who else?! I wish I had known! Wow, did BB show up — thank you all!

It was Great to see you! Chris came in right after you left — Belmont Books represented!

Gemco!

A “tweet” allegedly from the official Burger King account with just three words: “We don’t snitch.”

Really wish this was real, darn it.

Sorry about the stress (but wow! So beautiful!)

This was for yesterday, the 2nd! Go read this book. There’s gin on, um, pg 147? Or 149. Gin is good. This book is better. Martyr, by Kaveh Akbar. @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

screaming this into the void f o r e v e r

#StopBookBans

Last year, starting on December 1st, I posted a book a day for a month. I vowed not to do that again. I’m a bookseller, not an influencer, as Dr. McCoy could have told Kirk in an alternate universe. But! JT Geissinger gave me Ruthless Creatures, and now all bets are off. @panmacmillan.bsky.social

Golly, do I approve this message from @twodollarradiohq.bsky.social on this Small Business Saturday? I do!

bsky.app/profile/twod...

Oh, wait! Take a look at these words from @wildrumpusbooktore.bsky.social and their thoughts about Small Business Saturday!

bsky.app/profile/wild...

These are just a few of the Indie Bookstores I know who are flying through these blue skies — but we’re everywhere! Head over to the American Booksellers Association, type in a city, and voilà! Happy Small Business Saturday!
www.bookweb.org/member_direc...

“But parking is so expensive!”
Guess what? Free parking all weekend in Salem! This is straight from the witch’s mouth! Or, you know, the good people @wickedgoodbooks.bsky.social!

bsky.app/profile/wick...

Some bookstores are here, some are over there. It’s true! But if you wave to @silverunicornbooks.bsky.social I bet they wave back. Wave to them this Small Business Saturday!

bsky.app/profile/silv...