A romance-only bookstore called Good Girls Bookshop has opened in Kalispell, Mont., the Daily Inter Lake reported.

Located at 230 E. Idaho St., the bookstore officially opened on August 30 and carries a wide range of romance titles. The space features couches and ample room for customers to relax, read, and have coffee or tea, and alongside books the store sells sidelines like journals, pens, bookmarks, and candles.

Co-owners Kelsey Kimport, Britney Wheeler, and Rachel Kimport have already hosted some book club meetings and plan to roll out more events in the weeks and months ahead. On December 4, they have a shopping night scheduled during which women-owned vendors will sell their wares in-store.

The three co-owners have been family friends, and avid romance readers, for years. Their bookstore plans began July 2023, when Kelsey Kimport texted the other two: "when can we start?" By summer 2024, they'd leased a space and were open for business only a few months later.

"There is so much fun stuff in books, we wanted to make sure people had access to it," Wheeler told the Daily Inter Lake. "The book world is amazing, and our goal was to become lik ea one stop shop, especially for local people, so you cna buy all the things you see and love online."

Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, N.Y., is hoping to sustain its long-term future by transitioning to a nonprofit model. The Ithaca Times reported that the co-op bookstore "is once again facing financial losses, putting the store's iconic location in the Dewitt Mall in downtown Ithaca at risk of closure." The store, with nearly 1,000 owners, had announced to its network in October that it needed to raise $100,000 after struggling with low sales in the beginning of this year. The campaign has thus far raised more than $35,000.

Lisa Swayze, who has been the general manager of Buffalo Street Books since 2017, said, "It has always been a point of pride that we're one of the few cooperative bookstores in the country, and it felt hugely revolutionary when they did it in 2011, and it was, and it worked. But it just didn't function for the structure of the store to keep it alive, it functioned to save the store back then."

The business typically operates at an annual loss of about $60,000 due to a multitude of factors, including the rise of online competitors, tight margins, and paying employees a living wage. Swayze and the board of directors now see the shift to a nonprofit model as "the only option.... As a cooperative, we've never had a goal of making money, we just want to stay alive."

Swayze and board chair Amy Reading said that the transition to a nonprofit will not have a significant impact on how the store operates; they believe the store already serves as a nonprofit in many ways. Reading noted that memberships would give the community a structure of regular support, instead of relying on the community to support them during times of crisis.

"I'm mightily confident that shifting to a not-for-profit is the answer to our persistent financial troubles," Reading noted. "It will open us up to new sources of funding for the literary programming that our peerless staff have so far funded with their pure passion."

Swayze added: "My experience, having been here for these past seven years, is that we are very beloved. I know how much it means to people, I know that what we are offering makes people really happy, fills a niche, provides incredible comfort, brings the community together, so many things. I can't imagine that the community is going to be willing to let that go."

This coming Friday, November 8, 1-1:45 p.m. Eastern, ReadingGroupGuides.com will host its 13 1/2 annual Book Group Speed Dating Event--virtually. Representatives from nine publishers will share selections from their publishing houses via video to give booksellers, librarians, and book group leaders an inside look at new and upcoming titles that book groups will want to know about and discuss. E-galleys will be available to be requested for select titles from Edelweiss and/or NetGalley, as well as print galleys from some of the publishers. Leave-behinds will be made available in PowerPoint and Excel formats. Advance signup is required and can be done here.

Phil Rickman, author of the Merrily Watkins novels, died October 29, the Bookseller reported. He was 74. Rickman published 27 novels, including two under the name Will Kingdom and two as Thom Madley, as well as short stories and nonfiction. His debut novel, Candlenight, was published in 1991.

Rickman is best known for the Merrily Watkins novels, a crime fiction series with supernatural elements set in the Welsh borders. Beginning with The Wine of Angels, the series includes 15 books, with another, The Echo of Crows, set for release in 2025. The books were adapted into a three-part ITV series in 2015.

After launching his working career as a journalist and broadcaster, Rickman also presented the BBC Radio Wales program Phil the Shelf, which featured book news, author interviews, and advice for unpublished writers.

Sarah Hodgson, publishing director at Corvus--which is a fiction imprint of Atlantic Books--and Rickman's most recent editor, said: "I first encountered Phil down the line from a studio at Broadcasting House in London when I participated in an episode of Phil the Shelf many years ago and had no inkling that I would one day have the privilege of publishing his work. He was known for his kindness and gentleness of spirit, and he had a unique creative vision. His loss will be felt deeply by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him, and by his many readers around the world."

His agents, Ed Wilson and Andrew Hewson, described Rickman as "a unique and wonderful man," adding: "Crime writing has lost a true one-off in Phil Rickman--a writer whose kindness and generosity, both with fans and other writers, was as well-known as his brilliant books. His career spanned decades and genres--from the early horror novels, to crime and supernatural thrillers, YA novels (before the term 'YA' existed) and even historical, with his two brilliant Dr Dee novels."

Nicolas Cheetham, managing director of Head of Zeus, who was previously Rickman's long-term publisher, said: "Phil's Merrily Watkins novels are a masterclass in how to write a series and Phil is entirely responsible for my love of big books, big casts and multiple installments--not to mention writers doing something just a little to the left of the genre mainstream."

This past week, Shelf Awareness sent our monthly pre-order e-blast to nearly 875,000 of the country's best book readers. The e-blast went to 873,014 customers of 257 participating independent bookstores.
 
The mailing features 11 upcoming titles selected by Shelf Awareness editors and a sponsored title. Customers can buy these books via "pre-order" buttons that lead directly to the purchase page for the title on each sending store's website. A key feature is that bookstore partners can easily change title selections to best reflect the tastes of their customers and can customize the mailing with links, images and promotional copy of their own.
 
The pre-order e-blasts are sent the last Wednesday of each month; the next will go out on Wednesday, November 27. Stores interested in learning more can visit our program registration page or contact our partner program team via e-mail.
 
For a sample of the October pre-order e-blast, see this one from White Oak Books, Vancouver, Wash.
 
The titles highlighted in the pre-order e-blast were:
 
Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe (Ecco)
Wind & Truth by Brandon Sanderson (Tor)
The Voyage Home by Pat Barker (Doubleday)
Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth about My Father by April Balascio (Gallery)
The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall (Entangled: Red Tower Books)
Rental House by Weike Wang (Riverhead)
Invisible Helix by Keigo Higashino (Minotaur)
Abundant Ever After by Cathy Heller (Simon Element)
Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet by Samantha Allen (Zando)
Escaping Peril: A Graphic Novel by Tui T. Sutherland, Mike Holmes (Graphix)
Scarlet Veil Deluxe Limited Edition by Shelby Mahurian (HarperCollins)

The Midwest Independent Booksellers Association is moving. Its new address is 526 W. 7th St., 1st floor, St. Paul, Minn. 55102. The association has shared a gorgeous historic storefront with Beaver's Pond Press; both are moving up the street.

Indie bookstores nationwide marked election day in a number of ways and shared their approaches on social media, including:

Bards Alley Bookshop, Vienna, Va.: "Good morning and happy Election Day, Vienna! If you're fighting the Election Day scaries, pop in to Bards Alley after you've cast your ballot for a bookish pick-me-up; we'll have some new releases out this afternoon for you to browse to your heart's content."

Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, N.H.: "Hey hey, it's Election Day! Once you've voted (or even if you're on your way to vote) stop in and take advantage of our Election Day Sale! 25% off your purchase! (We're on the honor system here).... The sale also works on our website with the code IVOTED. Thanks for doing your civic duty!"

Booksy Galore, Pound Ridge, N.Y.: "We're Open. We have Books. We Voted and we Love this New Release... it's all good at Booksy."

The Lynx, Gainesville, Fla.: "Need a break from election stress? Come play games with us and decompress at The Lynx! We'll have Happy Hour all day long and a Mood Mending Meditation with yoga instructor Molly at 3:30pm."

Napa Bookmine, Napa, Calif.: "You know what to do…go vote! …then stop by the shop to take your mind off things with a good book, great coffee, and the friendly faces of our Bookmine community."

Storyline Books, St. Paul, Minn.: "It's Election Day! We're closed today and tomorrow (11/5-6) in observance of the day, and we hope everyone has the opportunity to go and exercise your most fundamental right in our democracy."

All She Wrote Books, Somerville, Mass.: "Need a break from today? Stop by and say hi to Christina and Miss Ruby from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m."

Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, N.Y.: "Hi friends! Reminder to get to the polls today, text your group chats, lend a ride, check on same day voter registration in your state---Vote! Vote! Vote!"

Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, Ky.: "It's Election Day!! Uncle Sam (Seth) wants you to get out and vote!" 

The Island Bookshop, Venice, Fla.: "It's Election Day. If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle, I think this cat has the right idea."

Bel Canto Books, Long Beach, Calif.: "Trying to keep our day on track and the anxiety at bay with a little #bulletjournaling and sticker inspo. Let's not let idiots ruin our days--get out there and vote, down the full ballot, for the causes and community we hold dear."

Split Rock Books, Cold Spring, N.Y.: "Don't let down Buster, America."

Literary Book Bar, Champaign, Ill.: "Get out there and cast those ballots people! And afterwards, stop by the shop for a quick pick-me-up and 15% off storewide when you show us your 'I voted' sticker!"

Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, Minn.: "Our window display is reminding you all to get out there and exercise your right to vote."

Island Books, Mercer Island, Wash.: "Don't forget to VOTE!"

Subterranean Books, St. Louis, Mo.: "The day has come. Vote. If you need to calm your jitters afterwards or if you voted early, surrounding yourself with books and talking to kind booksellers may help. We're here if you need us."

The Dog-Eared Page, Danville, Va.: "Today is the day! Make sure to get out and VOTE! As extra encouragement, bring in your 'I Voted' sticker and receive 10% off your purchase! Happy Voting!"

"PSA for our fellow bookworms: Daylight Savings tonight means we get one WHOLE EXTRA HOUR for reading!" the Bookworm, Bernardsville, N.J., posted on Instagram, along with a photo of the shop's autumnal sidewalk chalkboard message: "A good book in the fall is like a fire in the hearth. It warms the soul against the coming cold."

Sree Ravela has been named v-p of fulfillment systems at Ingram Content Group, and will be responsible for application development and management of systems that enable business capabilities for order entry, order management, end-to-end warehouse management, electronic data interchange and integration services, and supporting human resources and finance systems. Ravela has more than 24 years of experience and joins Ingram after some 10 years at Quest Diagnostics and Bridgestone Americas.

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Abigail Novak has joined Henry Holt as associate director of publicity. She was previously at Scribner.

Pictures of You by Emma Grey (Zibby Books).

Tomorrow:
Good Morning America: Caroline Chambers, author of What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking: A Cookbook (Union Square & Co., $35, 9781454952718).
 
Drew Barrymore Show: Bobby Flay, author of Bobby Flay: Chapter One: Iconic Recipes and Inspirations from a Groundbreaking American Chef (Clarkson Potter, $60, 9780385345958).

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, a new cooking competition show hosted by actors James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter movies), debuts November 14 on Food Network and Max. Variety reported that the show "will challenge professional bakers to produce elaborate cakes that taste great and tell a story that reflects Potter's Wizarding World."

Although the show, produced by Warner Horizon Television, "is expected to arrive with little fanfare," Variety noted that its debut "kicks off a carefully orchestrated effort by Warner Bros. to launch a next wave of Harry Potter products, ranging from TV series to video games to theme parks to high-end merchandise and live experiences."

Describing the goal as ambitious, Variety added that Warner Bros. "needs to extend the franchise, born in 1997 with the first installment of J.K. Rowling's bestselling novel series, with fresh spins on the characters and worlds that Potter fans know and love. The studio's blueprint for revitalizing the Potter universe will culminate in the biggest risk of all: the scripted Harry Potter TV series targeted for debut on HBO in 2026."

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is being shot at Leavesden Studios, on the original movie sets that were home to the eight movies. Variety noted that Rowling is not involved in managing the franchise, but WBD executives keep her updated via her literary agent. 

The shortlist has been released for the inaugural PEN Heaney Prize, which recognizes a single volume of poetry by one author, published in the U.K. or Ireland, "of outstanding literary merit that engages with the impact of cultural or political events on human conditions or relationships." The award is a partnership between English PEN, Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann, and the estate of Seamus Heaney. The winner will be named December 2. This year's shortlisted titles are: 

ISDAL by Susannah Dickey 
The Coming Thing by Martina Evans 
Hyena! by Fran Lock 
Blood Feather by Patrick McGuinness 
We Play Here by Dawn Watson 
A Tower Built Downwards by Yang Lian, translated by Brian Holton 

photo: Trina Turl Photography

Ruby Lang writes warm, witty contemporary romance featuring multicultural characters and their rambunctious families. Her screwball rom-com Wild Life, written under the pen name Opal Wei, was called "breathtaking" by the New York Times Book Review. Her nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times and Bitch. She and her family are recent transplants to Toronto. Her contemporary hockey romance, Hard Knocks (Canelo US), is an enemies-to-lovers romance with a neurologist and professional ice hockey player.

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

Cat Sebastian said Hard Knocks was the horniest book about stadium economics anyone was ever likely to read.

On your nightstand now:

I'm just starting Van Hoang's The Monstrous Misses Mai, which is about a quartet of young, Asian American woman in the late 1950s who receive a magical (and sinister) offer they can't refuse.

Favorite book when you were a child:

I read L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables (and the whole series) so much, the spine cracked and pages fell out. To this day, I still perk up when someone mentions puffed sleeves.

Your top five authors:

I love Mavis Gallant's short story collections for their perfect observations and sharp prose. Home Truths and Varieties of Exile are particular favorites.

There's a Jane Austen novel for every season and mood. Right now, we're heading into autumnal Persuasion season with a brief Northanger Abbey stopover for Halloween.

Susanna Kearsley's books, especially The Winter Sea, are for when I want to be emotionally destroyed.

All of Sherry Thomas's work--the historical romances, the YA fantasies like The Burning Sky, the Lady Sherlock mysteries--start out witty, a little detached, until she wallops you with feelings. I keep a few of her backlist unread so that I'll have something new-to-me to savor in case of emergency.

S.A. (Austin) Chant's slim output--Coffee Boy, a contemporary romance, Caroline's Heart, a fantasy western romance novella, and Peter Darling, a fantasy--is so varied and gorgeous, I hope they keep writing.

Book you've faked reading:

For years, my New Year's resolution was to finally finish reading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. But after a decade of starting and restarting, I quietly decided that actually I had read it, and you can't tell me different.

Book you're an evangelist for:

I'm a firm believer in asking people what they've loved in order to tailor my recommendations rather than telling people what I like to read. My tastes are irrelevant in the land of trying to get people addicted to more authors and stories.

That said, I'll often get people new to genre fiction to start with The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin, a Tang Dynasty historical romance that opens with a rooftop chase scene and turns into the most delicious cat-and-mouse game.

Book you've bought for the cover:

I used to buy every middle grade book with an East Asian kid on the cover, and the most rewarding was Grace Lin's Dumpling Days, which I read out loud to my daughter and which ended up being the first time I saw my Taiwanese-North American upbringing represented in a book.

Book you hid from your parents:

My parents bought me boxes of questionable garage sale paperbacks without vetting them, so there was no point in hiding.

Book that changed your life:

When I was in my early 30s and I thought I was too old to stay up all night reading, Susanna Clarke's haunting and immersive Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell came into my (now sleep-deprived) life.

Favorite line from a book:

The whole ending section of George Eliot's Middlemarch, but this in particular:

"The presence of a noble nature, generous in its wishes, ardent in its charity, changes the lights for us: we begin to see things again in their larger, quieter masses, and to believe that we too can be seen and judged in the wholeness of our character."

Five books you'll never part with:

I've moved around a lot, and it may horrify some people, but I don't have some of my favorites. For instance, I'm glad to know Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is out in the world (and in my public library), but I don't currently own a copy.

The only print book I've kept through my travels is an early edition of Joan Didion's The White Album. Everything about it is a perfect time capsule of that era: Didion's self-examination, her prose, and the author photo of her-- frail and cynical--on the back cover.

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

One of the joys of rereading is seeing how one's perceptions have changed, so I don't really want to encounter the stories I've loved as if they'd never touched me. The book I most want to read again for the first time is the next new-to-me book.

A tween girl who consistently works to please others searches for her true identity when her anonymous webcomic goes viral in Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy (Tethered to Other Stars), a spirited middle-grade novel about the multitudinous splendor of the self.

Twelve-year-old Mallory Marsh never lets anyone down. She stretches herself thin to help her overworked single mom; keeps anything a classmate might need in her backpack (extra pencils, period supplies, snacks), even if they don't return the favor; and orders whatever pizza her friends like. She even hides her anger when her mom says her "doodles" are a waste of time; in fact, Mallory's secret webcomic, Metal-Plated Heart, modeled after life at her school,has thousands of readers. When Comic Koala announces a competition, Mallory, who lied to meet the website's age minimum, enters, believing the cash prize will prove her art worthwhile.

Keeping the secret proves challenging. When someone copies her characters on a flyer for an after-school comics club, she joins to find out who her fan is and to ensure her identity remains unknown. To continue attending, however, she must end her commitment to the swim team, so she secretly uses her mom's e-mail to give herself an out. Meanwhile, Noa, an "adorable" enby tween Mallory meets via the club, asks her to participate in a drag queen story time. Mallory, whose anxiety melts away when Noa smiles, agrees to lip sync despite hating performing. The deceptions pile up and begin toppling as her friends catch onto her inconsistencies and, eventually, the webcomic's similarities to the school.

Mallory's people-pleasing and conflict avoidance stem from her engaging battle with humanity's most difficult question: Who am I? A self-portrait assignment cleverly parallels her confusion as she works on "patchwork pieces of a girl who had a million different words for who she was and still no face." Boldly inked panels from her incredible sci-fi comic (drawn by Maine Diaz, illustrator of What Will I Do with My Love Today) begin each chapter and mirror Mallory's dilemma and her missteps at solving it. Leahy tactfully builds in grounding reassurance through Noa ("I tried to be someone I wasn't for a long time. So I know what it's like. But I hope you don't think you need to do that around me"). Fueling Mallory's flame to figure herself out is the fight to defend drag queen story time from protestors. "I can do hard things," Mallory tells herself. And she can, in this punchy and empowering middle-grade novel. --Samantha Zaboski, freelance editor and reviewer

Shelf Talker: A tween girl who works to please others searches for her true identity when her anonymous webcomic goes viral in this spirited middle-grade story about the multitudinous splendor of the self.