Clean-up at Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Helene's deadly path of destruction over the weekend wreaked havoc across the Southeast, from Florida, where the hurricane made landfall, to Western North Carolina, which has been hit by devastating floods, as well as power and cell service outages.

Many affected areas are still digging out and assessing post-storm damage. Several independent bookstores in the storm's path checked in on social media to share their situations, along with offering support to their communities and bookselling colleagues, including:

North Carolina
Sassafras on Sutton, Black Mountain: "Black Mountain has suffered a devastating blow. Sassafras is closed until further notice. Thankfully I've just now talked to our manager Kathleen and assistant manager Debbie. Both are safe. I pray the rest of my staff is too. The town though will take some time to come back. There is no water, food, gas, cell service, wifi or power. The lack of water is the most urgent need. No one can get in or out right now, and the situation is dire. Debbie was able to get to our store last night and said there is some water inside but much less than she anticipated. Sassafras will survive!

"I have no idea how long it will take to restore power, fix the roads, and get things to a point where we can open. There has been substantial loss of life and property. There are houses in the road. People are missing. Roads and bridges are missing. Our beloved town needs prayer and help. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to Black Mountain and Sassafras. We anticipate an extended closure. We will need you when we reopen! There are so many areas and towns that will never be the same. I know we are not the only ones. But we will recover, rebuild and come back strong. Until we see you again in person, be well and stay safe!"

Belmont Bookshop, Belmont: "Walking up to the shop this morning, we weren't sure what to expect, but we were met with y'all waiting to see if we were open. Well, no power, no problem. We're open!... [Later] The power is back, the lights are on, the Treehouse is open, and the beverages are chilling! Thank you to everyone who came to our dark, ambience-filled shop and for your patience. And thank you to @duke_energy for all your hard work in getting things running again! We made the dark work, but we're happier with the light."

Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville: "Not much to update. Many of us are scattered around WNC, some can't leave their neighborhoods. When we'll reopen is TBD, stay safe and take care of each other in the meantime. We'll see you soon."

MacIntosh Books + Paper, Sanibel, Fla.

Florida
MacIntosh Books + Paper, Sanibel: "This is the only picture I took. Nice try, Helene! We cleaned and cleaned (with a lot of help from our friends!) and I'm happy to report that we'll be reopening next Tuesday, 10/1. It'll take time, but we'll have minimal loss. I'm thankful for so much today. Community, friendship and family. My heart breaks for those who won't have it so easy. We have felt their pain and we have walked their road. Looking forward to helping where I can!"

Copperfish Books, Punta Gorda: "Hello, friends! Hurricane Helene came and went, and we hope everyone stayed safe through the storm. It was a reminder of how unpredictable life can be, but there's one constant we can always count on: a great book.... Whether you're unwinding after the storm or just looking for your next escape, we hope you find something you'll love."

Blinking Owl Books, Fort Myers: "Hey y'all, Thank you to everyone who has checked in on us and offered their support. It truly means the world to us. Unfortunately, we have confirmation that the shop has flooded as of this evening. We're hoping that we'll be able to get into the shop tomorrow, but that's entirely dependent on the flood waters around the shop receding, as currently the surrounding streets are fully flooded, and those waters are still rising. We'll update you when we know more, but unfortunately, this means that the shop will be closed until further notice. Our thoughts are also with our friends and neighbors tonight, as we know we're unfortunately not the only ones in this situation once again." (Quick Friday update)

Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg: "B+B friends, we have weathered the storm and will be open today during normal hours. For those affected by Hurricane Helene we are sending lots of love and are thinking of you at this time! For resources and help please go to @pinellasgov and @stpetefl! If you have the opportunity, please support your local small businesses at this time. And if it is safe for you to come visit us, we'll be happy to be your safe haven during this time!"

The Island Bookshop, Venice: "Good morning Everyone. We are here today. We are ok but we know a lot of our neighbors are not. We wish everyone well. We hope to see your faces downtown."

The Lynx, Gainesville: "No power? NO PROBLEM! We are still without power at The Lynx, but we came prepared! Books, puzzles, gifts, and more inside today. Fight the power with no power as we close out Banned Books Week! Please note that our cafe service is closed until power returns."

Portkey Books, Safety Harbor: "Still no power at the bookstore. If you happen to walk by and see the owl lamp in the window on, text 727-248-0211 to let us know when power is restored.... Update: We have power and are back to normal operations!"

Midtown Reader, Tallahassee: "We hope everyone stayed safe during the storm, and our hearts are with those in the community who were affected. We're happy to share that our store made it through without any damage, and our power is back!... We can't wait to see you!"

Georgia
The Stacks Bookstore, Savannah: "Come grab a book to soothe your power-outage blues. Yesterday we were open until 4 when the lack of AC got to be a little too much for us. We'll likely close early today as well so come see us in the morning!"

Righton Books, St. Simons Island: "To our neighbors, we hope you are all doing well in the face of yet another major storm here. For those of you who are not local to St Simons, Hurricane Helene packed quite a punch and 90+% of St Simons Island is without power. Needless to say, we will be closed until the power and internet are restored. At this time (Friday afternoon) we have absolutely no idea when that might be."

South Carolina
M. Judson Books, Greenville: "If you need a place to charge your things, to caffeinate, to connect to the Internet (yes!), to get out of the house, we're here. We loved taking care of you today, Greenville. We love watching you care for each other."

Fiction Addiction, Greenville: "The show must go on! We have a customer bringing us a generator in case our power is still out and Mr. [Nicholas] Sparks will be flying in tomorrow morning as planned. I hope you are all are safe and able to get out of your neighborhoods to attend. If not, we will get your book signed for you and arrange pickup afterward!"

Kentucky
Plaid Elephant Books, Danville: "Holy moly, y'all!!! I don't even have the words to say thank you to everyone who responded to our bad weather plea yesterday. In a normal week, we might get one or two online orders. This weekend, we've received 36--and counting!! You have officially saved this weekend and I am so grateful. Sometimes, as a small business owner, it feels like you have to always project success and strength. Thanks for letting me be vulnerable with the challenging side of this journey."

Tennessee
Our Place, Cosby: "Thankful the winds weren't as bad as they predicted, but there's a lot of widespread flooding in the area. Our Place is open today so stop in if you need anything."

Virginia
Blacksburg Books, Blacksburg: "Looking at the news this morning is heartbreaking. Blacksburg was relatively lucky, but parts of Appalachia are suffering greatly. TODAY, Saturday the 28th, 50% of all proceeds from books on our Appalachian shelf will go to Red Cross hurricane relief efforts in those areas. Please come help us help our neighbors."

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And Binc posted: "Everyone in the path of Hurricane Helene, stay safe! If you are a bookstore or comic shop owner or staff member, and the storm creates a financial emergency, reach out and we'll help if we can. If, as storm season continues, you need to evacuate ahead of a storm and you need help with evacuation expenses, reach out."

People seeking help can apply here. Those who want to support Binc in its mission to help can donate here.

Women & Children First, Chicago, Ill., has been named the first-ever recipient of the Great Lakes Bookstore of the Year Award, presented by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and recognizing "outstanding achievement in bookselling and community engagement across the Great Lakes region."

GLIBA noted, "Founded in 1979, Women & Children First has been a Chicago staple for over four decades, committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and hosting events that inspire conversation and activism."

The award will be presented to Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck, owners of Women & Children First, one of the country's largest feminist bookstores, during the Heartland Fall Forum, October 6-9, in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Association of American Publishers has awarded the 2024 International Freedom to Publish Award to Januškevič Publishing House, a Belarusian publisher that now operates in Poland. The award recognizes a publisher outside of the U.S. that has "demonstrated courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression."

Andrej Januškevič

Founded in 2014, Januškevič Publishing House publishes fiction, nonfiction, and historical books in Belarusian, which has become heavily discouraged by the Belarusian government under Russian influence. In 2022, founder Andrej Januškevič was arrested for selling books in Belarusian and imprisoned for 28 days, and later that year was forced to flee to Poland, where his publishing house continued to publish materials for the Belarusian market. In 2023, Belarusian authorities revoked Januškevič’s publishing license, which effectively blocked the house from selling or operating as a publishing house in Belarus. Still, readers can access books published by Januškevič as e-books in Belarus or by purchasing printed copies of the books in Poland.

AAP president and CEO Maria A. Pallante said, "This year we recognize a publishing house of extraordinary persistence and courage. The leaders of Januškevič Publishing House have braved censorship, suffered incarceration, and endured exile, all in service of their mission to provide readers with literature in the Belarusian language. Together, the Board, membership, and staff of the AAP applaud Januškevič for preserving and celebrating a language that has long been under attack, and for demonstrating why the freedom to publish is an essential element of democratic society."

Andrej Januškevič said, "We are honored to accept AAP's Freedom to Publish Award, and we are thankful for the acknowledgment of our work in Belarus and in exile. The Belarusian language illuminates our culture and heritage, and together with our friends and colleagues at other houses that have seen their licenses revoked--including Limaryus, Knihazbor, Haliyafy, Medysont and Zmicier Kolas--we vow to keep that light alive in hopes that it may serve as a beacon, giving comfort to citizens of our homeland, and hope to those who must live in exile."

The Book & Bottle Shop, a bookstore and wine bar with a selection of new and used titles, will open in Hopkinsville, Ky., in November, the Kentucky New Era reported.

Located at 123 E. 9th St., the store will carry a wide-ranging, general-interest inventory, along with sidelines like mugs, tote bags, apparel, and more.

In advance of the store's opening, owner Rachel Sanders has been selling books online and at pop-up events in the Hopkinsville area. She has one more pop-up event scheduled before November; she'll be selling books and merchandise during the Scribe and Scout Renaissance Faire on September 28. The pop-ups, Sanders noted, have helped her spread awareness of the bookstore and get to know her customer base.

A lifelong reader, Sanders told the Kentucky New Era that she's always dreamed of opening a bookstore. She started thinking about it seriously around two years ago, she said, "when I saw a vacant space in Clarksville and thought a bookstore should go there. After looking more into it, I decided Hopkinsville would be the perfect place for a business like this."

She added that she was interested in a hybrid model for the bookstore and felt that Hopkinsville could use a wine bar.

Last evening, at the PNBA Tradeshow, underway in Portland, Ore., the shortlisted titles for the 2025 PNBA Book Awards were unveiled live--the first time the organization has done so.

The 50th season of Saturday Night Live kicked off on Saturday, and included a sketch featuring guest host Jean Smart that shows what happens when Scholastic asks a romance writer to pen a math textbook.

Yesterday's issue of Hut's Place, the weekly newsletter by Hut Landon, bookseller and former executive director of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (now part of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance), features The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich (Harper), "a new novel about a prairie community struggling against a nationwide economic meltdown," and The Message by Ta-Nahisi Coates (One World), "a probing examination of the power of stories to distort reality and encourage injustice." In addition, he notes the paperback publication of North Woods by Daniel Mason (Random House), which focuses on the many inhabitants of an abode in western Massachusetts over the centuries.

The latest Open Book with David Steinberger podcast is called "I'll Bet They'll Talk to Me" and features Ted Conover, the "master of experience-based nonfiction" who worked as a prison guard at Sing Sing, crossed borders with migrant workers, and lived off the grid in the American West. His books include Newjack, Rolling Nowhere, and Cheap Land Colorado. The podcast is available here.

Final Cut by Charles Burns (Pantheon).

Today:
CBS Mornings: Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of The Message (One World, $30, 9780593230381).

Today Show: Kate McKinnon, author of The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9780316554732). She will also appear tonight on the Tonight Show and tomorrow on CBS Mornings, the View, and Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Also on Today: Law Roach, author of How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World's Only Image Architect (Abrams Image, $28, 9781419768217).

Fresh Air: Ina Garten, author of Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir (Crown, $34, 9780593799895). She will also be on the Today Show tomorrow.

The View: Dana Bash, author of America's Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History (Hanover Square Press, $32.99, 9781335081070).

Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Malcolm Gladwell, author of Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering (Little, Brown, $32, 9780316575805). He will also appear tomorrow on CBS Mornings.

Tomorrow:
Live with Kelly and Mark: Barry Sonnenfeld, author of Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time: True Stories from a Career in Hollywood (Hachette Books, $30, 9780306832277).

Meryl Streep will star in a series adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's 2001 bestselling novel The Corrections, which the author will adapt for TV and executive produce, IndieWire reported. The series is being set up at CBS Studios with exec producers Mark Roybal and Nicole Clemens, but it does not yet have a network or streamer attached.  

The producers are bringing the project to market soon, according to IndieWire, which noted that there have been "several stabs at bringing The Corrections to the screen. First, there was a film adaptation that never materialized. The most notable project was set up as a TV series at HBO, with Noah Baumbach leading the charge."

Black Pastoral by Ariana Benson (University of Georgia Press) has won the $25,000 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, which honors "the most outstanding book of poetry published in the United States in the previous year" and is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets.

Judges said in part: "The lush gravity of Black Pastoral's phrasing and lyricism presses our ears and our soles to the peat of an often dismissed world of not only Black experience but also, within it, Black ecology, Black joy, and an investment in Black futurities. Benson's collection embraces and recasts the idea of 'escape' and the material, emotional, and psychological stakes of the relationship between nature and liberation for people who have known different seasons of bondage."

All the Words I Can Remember Are Poems by Michelle Peñaloza (Persea Books) has won the James Laughlin Award, which is given "to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year." The award is endowed by the Drue Heinz Trust and sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Besides a cash prize of $5,000, the winner receives a one-week residency at the Betsy Hotel in Miami.

Judges said, "Navigating humor and sorrow--and never neglecting the startling and subversive joy that can be found at their intersection--Michelle Peñaloza uses music and elegantly constructed moments of surprise to guide her reader with a seemingly effortless yet brilliantly deliberate hand. Transposing the mythologies and historical artifacts of an often buried Philippine history and the complex diasporic self-vision of a post-colonial Pinay daughter, Peñaloza's All the Words I Can Remember Are Poems is a sure-footed and confident second collection that establishes this poet's vision as distinct and unforgettable. These poems illuminate the expansive and specific perspective of a multilingual and multicultural speaker with playful precision and sophistication, utilizing modes and meanings that renew the power of storytelling. Here is an unapologetic voice, one that is not afraid to take up necessary space and to claim her belonging in the world, a voice that rings as clearly as a fiercely struck bell."

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Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal (Simon & Schuster) has won the $15,000 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, which aims "to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level." The award is sponsored by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and celebrates the legacy of Ernest Gaines.

Judges said that the winning short story collection, which was a finalist for the 2023 National Book Award for Fiction, "portrays the lived experiences of Black Muslims grappling with faith, family, and freedom in America. Through her narrative, Bilal offers a poignant look at the discrepancies between personal beliefs and actions. Temple Folk presents humanity's moral failures with compassion, nuance, and humor to remind us that while perfection is what many of us strive for, it is errors that make us human."

Bilal commented: "I am especially proud to be associated through this award with the legacy of Mr. Gaines, as his oeuvre informs my ambition to tell timeless stories in plain spoken, elegant prose. Mr. Gaines teaches us how to do this sacred work with grace, grit, and love."

LibraryReads, the nationwide library staff-picks list, offers the top 10 October titles public library staff across the country love:

Top Pick
Exposure by Ramona Emerson (‎Soho Crime, $29.95, 9781641294768). "A serial killer hides in plain sight, killing the indigent Native people of Gallup, New Mexico. On the verge of an emotional crisis, Rita, a forensic photographer, heads home to her Navajo reservation for a long overdue rest. Soon her life is put at risk. Can she save others while attempting to save herself? Readers who enjoyed Emerson's debut novel Shutter will enjoy this followup." --KC Davis, LibraryReads Ambassador, Conn.

Libby Lost and Found: A Novel by Stephanie Booth (Sourcebooks Landmark, $27.99, 9781728278506). "Libby is one of the most famous and sought-after children's authors, but her identity is also a complete secret. She is under pressure to write the final book in her series, but something is wrong and she just can't get it done. In her search for answers, she starts a quest that will bring her to a very different place in life." --Linda Quinn, Library Reads Ambassador, Conn.

Society of Lies: A Novel by Lauren Ling Brown (Bantam, $30, 9780593723357). "Two sisters attend Princeton ten years apart. Days before the younger sister's graduation, she's found dead. Maya can't believe Naomi's death was an accident, and looks toward Greystone, a secret society to which both sisters belonged, and a charismatic professor. Told in dual timelines, there are twists and turns that readers won't see coming. This novel is a welcome addition to academic thrillers." --Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, N.J.

Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon (‎Ace, $30, 9780593817025). "A lonely noble's daughter enters into marriage with a minotaur so that she can join a treasure hunting guild to restore her family's wealth and protect her people. Her new husband, Hawk, who happens to be a member of the guild, has no idea that his wife is a noble in disguise. This steamy paranormal fantasy romance is filled with found family and sweet characters." --Mindie Marsh, Eugene Public Library, Ore.

The Sequel: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Celadon, $29, 9781250875471). "This fiendishly blackhearted takedown of the literary world is a follow-up to Korelitz's bestseller The Plot, a novel about a washed up writer who finds success after he steals the storyline from a deceased student. This time we follow the story of Anna, the widow of the aforementioned writer, who surprisingly now has a runaway bestseller of her own." --Alisa Stanfield, LibraryReads Ambassador, Ill.

A Song to Drown Rivers: A Novel by Ann Liang (St. Martin's Press, $32, 9781250289469). "Fanli, advisor to a defeated king, plots to bring down the victors. To do so, he embarks on a search for a beauty to present to the new king, who can also act as his spy. Xishi is more than a pretty face: she is adept and cunning, and has her own reasons to want vengeance. A fascinating story covering themes of revenge, sacrifice, and the political realities of war." --Joan Hipp, Florham Park Public Library, N.J.

The Last One at the Wedding: A Novel by Jason Rekulak (Flatiron, $28.99, 9781250895783). "Maggie is getting married, and her dad is thrilled to be invited, even though they have been estranged for three years. Why the estrangement? The answer to that question and other crazy rumors about the family hosting the event fuel this engaging, suspenseful read. This will appeal to readers who enjoy hard-to-guess plot twists." --Andrienne Cruz, Azusa City Library, Calif.

The Wedding Witch: A Novel by Erin Sterling (Avon, $30, 9780063411166). "This entertaining, romantic romp has it all: flirty banter, an unusual premise, and even time travel! Tamsyn and Bowen are drawn to each other, especially when a curse sends them 50 years into the past. The characters are interesting and fleshed-out in their own right, and when they get together, it's magical." --Jody S., USS Liberty Memorial Library, Wis.

Blood Over Bright Haven: A Novel by M.L. Wang (Del Rey, $29.99, 9780593873359). "Sciona's brains and ruthlessness enable her to become the first ever female highmage in highly civilized and magical Tiran. Rampant sexism means the only lab assistant she can get is Thomil, a janitor refugee. The partnership is surprisingly effective until they make a breakthrough that threatens to destroy Tiran. A gripping and intense fantasy that will appeal to readers of dark academia." --Sarah Walker, Indianapolis Public Library, Ind.

This Girl's a Killer: A Novel by Emma C. Wells (‎Poisoned Pen Press, $34.99, 9781464231780). "Cordelia's hobby of killing sexual predators and getting away with it exhibits her precise planning and execution skills. But things begin to unravel when her friend starts dating someone Cordelia suspects is bad. Crazy things, such as a body in a bathtub, a kidnapped dog, and a smiling cop, combine to add dark humor, making this a thoroughly enjoyable read." --Di Herald, LibraryReads Ambassador, Colo.

Debut author Jacquie Pham builds a novel that is both a complex murder mystery and an exploration of the problematic nature of colonization. Duy, Minh, Phong, and Edmond are close friends at one of the most prestigious boarding schools in 1917 Vietnam when they sneak out on a forbidden visit to the most famous, fortune teller in town. What starts as a young boys' lark ends on a dark note when they receive a prophecy: "The four of you. One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize.... One will die." A decade later, the final part becomes reality, and the three survivors are left to determine which of them is a murderer--and which of them will pay the price for their friend's death.

Those Opulent Days moves back and forth in time between the boys' friendship as young men and the days leading up to the death, and Pham leaves tantalizing clues for readers to figure out the identities of the murdered and murderer. The boys at the center of this intricate novel are among the richest and most powerful in the colony: Minh is heir to Vietnam's largest rubber plantation, Duy to the colony's largest opium business. Phong is the lone son of a wealthy businessman and scholar, and Edmond of a privileged French diplomat. Edmond's very existence exhibits something the other three struggle to identify: "Whatever Edmond wanted, Edmond received. Somewhere deep down, did they all feel inferior? Minh didn't know. He didn't hate Edmond, or at least he didn't think so. Perhaps it was what Edmond represented--someone better than him, someone easier to love, someone he could never be."

What the blond-haired, green-eyed European represents is far more sinister than merely the personal failings of his friends, however; his existence in Vietnam is representative of the opportunity afforded to Europeans and denied to the Vietnamese people, of the prejudice and racism steeped into the colonial systems of power and privilege in which these boys--now men--were raised: "The French ruled the colony, but they didn't understand its people--they needed locals, rich enough, corrupt and ambitious enough, to supply them with insight and cash."

Those Opulent Days brims with lush detail and characters at once rich, corrupt, and ambitious. It's the best type of historical fiction--a novel that reveals new and nuanced layers of context within the structure of a compelling plot. --Kerry McHugh, freelance writer

Shelf Talker: A complex murder mystery set in 1928 Vietnam explores the prejudice, inequality, and violence of French colonization.