Hi fellow queers! Sam here, with a quick ramble about what’s new at Carnation this week.

We have some new titles at Carnation Bookhouse, and Emery’s awesome queer and bookish prints and stickers are finally in! If you didn’t stop by the booth at either the Urbana or Champaign farmer’s markets last week, come check them out this week. 

Big news: Support Carnation on Bookshop.org!

If you aren’t local, or prefer to have your books delivered, Carnation Bookhouse is registered on Bookshop.org! 

Why not Amazon?

So Jeff Bezos is a piece of sh*t and Amazon sucks.

I really wanted to have an option where people can buy books online and support Carnation Bookhouse, without involving Amazon. 

I’ve had people ask me how Amazon offers books for so cheap? 

Basically, they are willing to take a loss to undercut bookstores and drive everyone out of business, so that they can then raise their prices once we all close down. 

Simply put, the bigwigs at Amazon don't want you to have local bookstores. Or queer bookstores. Or any stores that are not Amazon.

I know it can feel frustrating to pay more for a book. But when you do, you’re supporting a small businesses (thanks!) that includes community aid in its core values, along with authors and publishers. Oh, and undercutting billionaires doesn’t hurt.

Books come with a suggested list price on the back of them (called an MSRP). I offer books at that price. I also offer discounts occasionally and carry a wide variety of pre-loved books that have been used or lightly damaged in some way.

What’s different about Bookshop.org? 

Guys, Bookshop.org is such a great solution to shopping online without supporting Amazon! 

Everytime you buy a book through my site, I get 30 percent of that sale, which helps me keep this going. 

Here’s a screenshot from their website of how it works to select a bookstore:

A little bit of personal info, because I believe in transparency… 

I am doing all of this right now with my own savings – I don’t have a secret investor. I’ve got student loans, health bills and people to support (ask me about mutual aid!) so every little bit helps me keep buying the books for you that you struggle to find anywhere else. 

Right now, as with any new business, all of the money I receive is going back into the business until we can start to grow enough to pay myself. 

My dream is to save up enough to open a physical space where we can all hang out and have a queer space that isn’t alcohol-driven. I’d love to be able to hire local queers too to work there. Sound amazing? 

Tell your queer network about the Bookshop.org site, even if they aren’t local!

Do I have to buy the books on your homepage to support Carnation?

Nope! Just make sure you have our bookstore selected when you check out, and you can get any book on Bookshop.org!

Okay now your reward for reading: a discount code!

I managed to get over my executive dysfunction to get this set up in time for pride, so the good news is we have a discount code for June! 

You can get 15% off more than 100 pride picks with the code PRIDE26 on Bookshop.org. Be sure to make sure my shop is selected to support our store.

New queer titles, all day every day

In our latest book order we have some re-stocks of titles that sold out quickly, along with some new titles! Here’s just some of them:

Cultural Capital Doesn't Pay the Rent: A Queer Memoir – “Cultural Capital Doesn’t Pay the Rent is a story about loss, economic survival, and three decades of organizing against the interlocking hellscapes of neoliberalism. Jessica Lawless’s memoir is a queer, anarcho-punk history of community care and healing justice.”

See You at the Finish Line – “George and Lucas can’t stand each other—which makes it very awkward being on the same Cambridge University rowing team. The uber-charming, all-American George got accepted at Cambridge for his sporting prowess, not his subpar grades. Economics whizz and sarcasm expert Lucas, meanwhile, works hard for everything he’s got, which sadly does not include a boyfriend.” 

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers / Forced Proximity / Grumpy/Sunshine / Fish out of Water / Virgin/Experienced 

Feast While You Can – A creepy story of a monster in a small town that threatens a fragile and illicit wlw love beginning to bloom. I read this book, and it’s a slow build but really interesting, creepy read. 

Silver Under Nightfall – Vampires, poly, queer, bounty hunter…. Need I say more? 

Okay that’s it! If you made it through this post, I have a small treat. The discount code above was made by Bookshop.org to support queers, but I’ll honor it in person too.

Whisper the super secret password “PRIDE26” to get a 10% discount on your order at an upcoming market.

Thanks for reading (this and everything). :)