Wooden table in front of a dark green painted brick wall, with a display of six different books, and a square flyer on the front of the table that reads "Why should the kids have all the fun? Coming soon...Battle of the Books: Adult Version. Prepare to Battle." The flyer also includes an image of several hands of various skin tones reaching toward a large red button.

Six books arranged on a wooden table in two rows. Top row: The Splendid and the Vile, by Erik Larson; The Art Thief, by Michael Finkel; All Systems Red, by Martha Wells. Bottom row: Dark Maestro, by Brendan Slocumb; Margo's Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe; The Mountains Sing, by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.

Stack of books on a wooden table. Top to bottom: The Art Thief, Michael Finkel All Systems Red, Martha Wells The Mountains Sing, Nguyen Phan Que Mai The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson Dark Maestro, Brendan Slocumb

I stopped by @backwaterbooks.bsky.social in OEC today to pick up the book selections for the first ever Howard County ADULT Battle of the Books! I can't wait to get started! (I've already read 2 of the 6 books, but definitely plan to re-read and take notes as I prep for the "battle" in October!)

US Economy Is Set to Lose Billions as Foreign Tourists Stay Away The US economy is set to lose billions of dollars in revenue in 2025 from a pullback in foreign tourism and boycotts of American products, adding to a growing list of headwinds keeping recession risk ...

The US economy is set to lose billions of dollars in revenue in 2025 from a pullback in foreign tourism and boycotts of American products.

Books entertain and educate. Book clubs build community. Now's a good time to be a part of a community, if you'd like.

“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.”

Powerful. Well done, Harvard.

The more powerful institutions indicate they have some semblance of a spine against the MAGA fascists, the more others will follow

Librarians are some of the most detail-oriented, policy driven, and dare I say it neurotic people I know and I know lots of them. Books are chosen and recommended carefully. And yet politicians think they know better than librarians to the point to where they threaten them with imprisonment.

Pressure groups. Ask yourselves why and what do they get out if it. Follow the money. @la-cac.org @oif.bsky.social @ifrt-ala.bsky.social @uabookbans.bsky.social

If you saw me take down and reupload the same IG story three times... no you didn't

We've got a limited amount of Sunrise on the Reaping back in stock! Swing by tonight before we sell out!

🚨The #freedomtolearn and literary expression is under attack across the South.

As book challenges and bans are on the rise, some libraries are facing censorship and even fines and jail when they disagree 🔗: www.splcenter.org/resources/st...

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker tries to chart a path for national Democrats to counter Trump Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois is trying to chart a path for national Democrats to counter President Donald Trump.

“If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic,” Pritzker said.

We’re putting together a blog list of books ft. trans characters/rep for TDoV and we’d love to include as many as possible!

Drop self-promo & recs below with

🏳️‍⚧️ book title
🏳️‍⚧️ author
🏳️‍⚧️ genre
🏳️‍⚧️ additional rep
🏳️‍⚧️ GR links

👌🏻 pre-orders ok as long as there’s a placeholder cover
👌🏻 short stories ok

It's Tarot Night! Drop by between 5 and 9 PM for a private, walk-in tarot reading by Rissa Miller 🔮

BREAKING: A federal judge in Maryland has just barred DOGE from accessing Social Security, saying the group is on a "fishing expedition" that jeopardizes people's personal data.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

1-800-BLUES are performing a set of Delta blues at the Bibliopub tonight from 8-10 PM. Try our new Tough Luck Negroni and lounge in our seating area during the show!

Economic Blackout Tour Feb 28: The Economic Blackout March 7-14: Amazon Boycott March 21-28: Nestle Boycott April 7-14: Walmart Boycott April 18: Economic Blackout #2 April 21-28: General Mills Boycott May 6-12: Amazon Boycott 2 May 20-26: Walmart Boycott 2 June 3-9: Target Boycott June 24-30: McDonald's Boycott July 4: Independence Day Boycott

One day is just the beginning. There's an entire campaign planned out, but getting people to agree to one day will make them more likely to sign up for the next and the next. Activism is a muscle that can be strengthened with repetition

Nothing says hivemind like all 3 openers wearing black overalls to work today.

Did you know we have live music every Saturday night? Stop by tonight from 8-10 PM for a set by Ahmed Warshanna & Friends!

In case you live in a red state and feel like your voice doesn't matter--it does. Keep the pressure on.

Also:

The Ryan Watkins Group is playing a set of jazz tonight at 8 PM! Drop by the Bibliopub for free live music!

Bookshop.org enters the e-book arena, giving indie stores a new way to compete with Amazon "Everything Amazon can do, we want to do as well or better," says CEO Andy Hunter on boosting indie sales digitally.

This is VERY good news. Love bookshop.org and all the stuff they do!

www.salon.com/2025/01/28/b...

A reminder that fiction — books, film, games, what have you — is always political. The willful absence of “politics” in any work is itself a political choice and a political act. Who gets to tell (and sell) stories is political. It might be an undercurrent — covert, not overt. But it’s there.

Horror books are saving my life these days. ❤️‍🔥

Graphic depicts a collage of select romance books included in a libro.fm audiobook sale. Text reads: "Romance Audiobook Sale" and "Shop The Sale"

Shop Libro.fm's Romance audio book sale from 2/5-2/19! Fall in love with a new love story while supporting indie bookstores!

Go to libro.fm/sale to check out what's available!

#booksky 📚💙
#backwaterbooks #indiebookstore #bibliopub

Helpful resource for attending school board/library meetings. Book challengers show up at these meetings--we need people in favor of reading freedom (the vast majority of people!) to be there too. bsky.app/profile/dran...

If you're interested in learning more about Rank Choice Voting, drop by tonight and listen to Alicia Beall's presentation at 6 PM!

We're closing at 4 PM today to prepare for the winter weather! We'll see you Monday night for the Onyx Storm release party!

A flyer for an Onyx Storm (by Rebecca Yarros) release party. Black background with a gray trail of smoke surrounded by graphics of yellow dragon silhouettes. Text states the release party is January 20th from 10 PM to 12 AM at Backwater Books in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Join us for an Onyx storm release party Monday evening! Doors open at 10 PM Jan. 20th, and we'll have a themed cocktail, drink specials, and games! Preorder your copy of Onyx Storm on our website 📚💙

#booksky #romantasy #backwaterbooks #bibliopub #releaseparty #indiebookstore #shopsmall