Looking ahead to August at Carnation Bookhouse
It's been a busy month, and all of a sudden I realized that the month had gone by without an update from me here.
I have been struggling with migraines a lot this month, so I had a few weeks where I was really trudging through a market, or sleeping with sunglasses on inside. If you are a fellow migraine sufferer, you get it.
What's my big plan with Carnation, long-term?
I've had people asking me this, so I want to make sure to talk about my ideas here.
Part of the reason I started this business is that I was really burnt out. My health struggles – being hypermobile and immunocompromised after needing to get my spleen removed – played a big role in needing to do something where I could be more authentic about what's going on. Now I get to be more real about myself, while doing what I love, which is building community around books and reading.
This business will always be loudly queer and trans, pro Palestine, pro union, pro sex work, say fuck ICE and advocate for our unhoused community. I carry books in the shop that help people learn about this stuff, and that makes me excited. I'm trying to work on a way to rent a permanent space where people can come read together and Carnation can host events, like NARCAN workshops and meetups for leftist queer people. I have my eye on a space and we are having good conversations about getting it going, so stay tuned. If you are someone reading this and you have skills you want to offer/trade/contribute to a space, whether that's painting or bookshelves, or a cozy chair you want someone to buy off of you, hit me up. My email is hello@carnationbookhouse.com. I'd love to put money in queer people's hands to help prepare the space.
In case you were wondering about how the business side works, Carnation Bookhouse is not a non-profit, we are an LLC. The main reason why: I can barely figure out how to correctly file sales tax stuff to Illinois (I've already done it wrong and had to file corrections) and I'm not sure I can handle the non-profit paperwork. It's a bit complicated. But that said, you have a commitment from me that I'm trying to figure out how to make Carnation move in as anticapitalist of ways as possible. Right now I'm trying to figure out how I can eventually pay myself from it (we're not making enough). Right now, I need to put money back into inventory and the costs of having a business, like running a website. And start saving for rent for a space (?!?!?!?!?oseijlvaluerguilabweiulrbas keysmash).
What I'm Reading
Right now I'm reading a lovely novelette ARC called Now Shake It, Baby! described by author Micah Flowers as a "low-stakes Black sapphic romance novelette." It's really cute so far and I'm loving the playlist it comes with at the beginning.
I am also listening to Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement, edited by Ejeris Dixon and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha. It has a lot of practical information and real-world examples, but has been pretty triggering for me too, so be kind to yourself.
I also recently finished the great graphic novel Pink Monsters by Claus Daniel Herrmann. It's about a 14-year old who is exploring his sexuality and navigating supporting his dad, who has depression. We have this book in the shop if you want to check it out in person!
Where will we be?
I will always be at the:
- Tuesday: Champaign Farmer's Market (3-6 p.m. unless it's the last Tuesday of the month, which runs from 3-7 p.m.)
- Saturday: Urbana Farmer's Market (7-noon)
Other upcoming events:
- Aliya's Soberversary at The Space, Friday July 31 at 9 p.m.
- Quiet Queers Read-Up at Amy's Place, Wednesday Aug. 19 from 6-9 p.m.
I have an idea for you! I think you should carry X book or go to X event!
So cool! Drop me a line at hello@carnationbookhouse.com. Or DM me!
If you're still reading this, thank you for your support! Tell me Aug26 at the booth for a 10 percent discount on your next book.