It's Pride! June update at Carnation Bookhouse

It's Pride Month! The horrors persist, and so do we!

It's been a busy month on my end. I'm working on making connections with more publishers and authors to get their books into the store, which is more time consuming than you might think. But it's so important!

I want to make sure everyone has access to more queer books than just what the "Big 5" is publishing. If you aren't familiar with the Big 5, they are the five publishing companies who dominate publishing: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette and Macmillan. But there are so many good queer books that get published by smaller publishers, or even self-published. It's important we read outside of the Big 5 so that small independent presses can thrive!

For example, while on Instagram I came across J.S. Jasper's books, which are self-published. They were not available in Ingram, which is one of the big distributors I use to get books from multiple publishers at once. So I reached out to J.S. Jasper, and I now have the collection in my store! I'm so excited for you to take a look.

Here's a bit about J.S. Jasper, quoted from her website: "I live in the UK and as I write this it’s grey and raining, which shouldn’t shock anyone at all. I love writing romance books about Black girls getting all the love they deserve. I’ll only ever write a happy ending, and the in-between might be smutty, might not! It depends on the day I fear."

A lot of people ask me how I decide what books to buy for the store. I am looking at A LOT of different places to make these choices. I look at big lists of books published by publications like Autostraddle or Book Riot, I check reviews on sites like Kirkus or Publisher's Weekly and I also of course have a set of authors and books I'm following just because I love to read.

What's even better – I get lots of recommendations from you! When you tell me about a book, or write a "hot take" (the bookmarks I put in books), I'll get a copy of a book if I don't already have one. So if there are books you think I should carry, never hesitate to tell me. I love getting your feedback and ideas. I want this to be a space for everyone.

Just in case you didn't see the post, I'm hosting an event next Thursday (June 25) at Amy’s Place Bar, from 5 to 8 pm. You can bring any book you’re reading, or pick one up at my booth if you’re looking for your next queer read. We’re going to chill, read our books, and Amy is going to put on some relaxing lofi music.

Part of the reason I’m doing this event is that I’m autistic, and I tend to get overstimulated in loud spaces where I’m expected to talk and dance and somehow hear people over loud music. I’m hoping this can be a chill, more neurodivergent friendly event to see friends and read together in the same space.

If you’re shy or socially anxious like me, you don’t need to feel obligated to chat because we will be reading! And if reading isn’t your thing but you want to come and bring a board game or a coloring book or your knitting or whatever, come join us!

If you need to get a book, I’ll have a selection of books with me you can peruse.

Oh and one more thing: I’ll be wearing a mask at this event, and I’ll also have masks if anyone needs one. Anyway, come try this out with me! If we like it, then maybe we can make it a regular thing? 

If you made it to the end of this, congrats! Come to my booth at a farmer's market or the upcoming event at Amy's and say PRIDE26 for 10% off!

Postscript: I know things feel really heavy right now. This administration is fascist, trans people are facing so much violence and hostility... It can be hard to keep going or find joy, especially in this month when a bunch of corporations who donate to anti-trans politicians all year long are pinkwashing and saying "happy pride!".

I want you to know that you matter, and I'm glad you're here. I'm going to keep fighting for us to have stories where we can see ourselves. Even when it's hard. Thanks for fighting with me.