NEWS

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“As we read all the race and racism books, we must also read books about Black people—especially Black children—just…living. Because the more we see Black people living—loving and doing and being and feeling and going on adventures and solving mysteries and being the heroes—the more we come to recognize our shared humanity.”
― Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin

Dear Readers,

Main Street Books unequivocally stands for the dismantling of systemic white supremacy and the liberation of all Black lives. Knowing that making this statement is merely performative without substantive advocacy to back it up, Main Street Books is committed to promoting and taking action toward dismantling white supremacy, particularly in our community. Our vision is to inspire a more informed and creative community that celebrates diversity and discovery. We will strive to promote and stock books that represent more #ownvoices and greater diversity of characters and perspectives. We are committed to improving the diversity of the authors we host in our store and virtually. We will grow our programming that is dedicated to anti-racist work in our community. We know that liberation of the oppressed is liberation for all. #blacklivesmatter

We stand in solidarity with our local Black-owned independent bookstore, Shelves, whom we are committed to helping succeed and thrive. I want to introduce you to

Abigail Glen, owner of Shelves Bookstore

Abigail Glen, owner of Shelves Bookstore, a mobile and independent bookstore in Charlotte. Abby just celebrated Shelves’ one-year anniversary. Shelves Bookstore pops up at various coffee shops and venues around Charlotte which is a tremendous gift to the different neighborhoods that she serves (and a ton of work on her part). She has built out a website to serve her (exponentially growing) customer base during our stay-at-home phases. Keep an eye out for pop-ups as she begins to host them again. She has an impeccably curated selection.

I encourage you to send her your business as she works toward her goal of opening her own brick-and-mortar in 2021. She can ship all over the US. Charlotte needs more bookstores!

With hope and a commitment to justice,

Adah & the entire Main Street Books staff
Online order form
Schedule a shopping appointment
Call us at (704) 892-6841

P.S. I love to share books, community events, and general literary merriment. Follow Main Street Books on Facebook and Instagram.

Main Street Books is open for shopping by appointment. Appointments are available Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Appointments are 40 minutes and begin on the hour. The shop is cleaned between appointments. Shoppers must wear a mask during their time in the shop. See you soon! Schedule your appointment HERE.

We’re bringing our chapter of the Well-Read Black Girl book club to Zoom!

Our bookseller, Andrea Jasmin, is leading a discussion of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett in July.

The goal of WRBG Book club is “to introduce a cohort of diverse writers to future generations – contemporary authors who are non-binary, queer, trans, and disabled. To address inequalities and improve communities through reading and reflecting on the works of Black women.” Read more about the national WRBG movement here.

THURSDAY, JULY 16th at 7:00 PM

During quarantine, we filled our store windows with a rainbow of hearts that was a stunning example of community collaboration.

We designed a t-shirt to carry the spirit of those hearts into the future. Spread Love, Read Books. Several colors and styles available

Shirt orders must be placed before July 12th, 2020. Orders will arrive between July 22 and July 30th, 2020. This is a print-on-demand campaign fundraiser for Main Street Books.

Click here to see details and order.

Who’s missing from your child’s bookshelf
As the country witnesses and partakes in historic protests against systemic anti-Black racism, many white parents are asking how to have conversations with their children about race and anti-racism.

Who is on your child’s bookshelf?
Are the authors and human characters homogeneous and predominantly white? Making sure that your child’s stories represent a multitude of different people experiencing life can be an excellent way to begin conversations about race and differences that lead to more complex discussions about systemic injustice as they grow. It’s never too soon, and you’re not too late.