MFAQs

From Carrie…

Our website has a FAQ section, but the FAQs are not the MOST frequently asked questions. So I thought I would take a moment to answer those . . .

Do you have kids books?

Yes, and though kids LOVE stairs, our kids section is on the main floor. Your stroller thanks us. Head around the stairs to find books for all ages - chewable and on. And let's be completely honest. You don't have to pretend you are shopping for a gift. We are all kids at heart.

Can I bring in my drink?

Yes! Just don't throw it at the books. And if you do spill, please let us know. But really, don't spill. If you forget how long your arms are (we all have our moments), just leave it up at the counter and grab it on your way out!

Where should we eat lunch?

We have almost as many opinions about the food around here as we do the books. Be prepared for a conversation. We are probably also hungry, so remind us to take a lunch break when we get REALLY excited about answering this question.

What is upstairs?

Okay, if you mean just up the stairs - mostly Non-Fiction. Cookbooks (and look, we are hungry again), Poetry (A LOT), History, Biography, Travel, Nature, Science, Philosophy, and much much more.

If you mean up the next stairs - go check it out. The "treehouse" (someday we will decorate it) is a cozy and quiet place to peruse your selections and decide what to land on.

If you mean above us, our COMO Magazine friendly neighbors are a lovely and rowdy bunch. We are pretty sure that noise is a chair race. They also laugh a lot. Must be the book they bought last week, but we won't tell them to get back to work.

Can you tell me if you have a book?

Yes. But, you have to tell us what book you are wondering about. Even if you just give us clues. Help us out, y'all.

Are your books in any sort of order?

Ummmmmm. Yes. Pretty intensely. Muchly. Many orders and ordering and sortings. Look up to see genre headers and most sections are alphabetical by author (last name, folks).

Can you order a book you don't have?

Usually! We put in orders every weekday morning and adding your requests is not a big deal AT ALL. It is one of the things we love to do. It usually only takes a few business days. Less if everyone out there is efficient, more if it is coming from someone tricky. We can let you know.

Do you just read all day?

No. Well, not here. At home, probably. We read A LOT. But you know, we work at work.

What is your favorite book?

100% guaranteed way to fluster a bookseller. Like one?!?!?!?

How do you pick the books here?

Carefully. It is a whole thing. We spend weeks each season going through all of what is coming out and make thoughtful selections based on a million factors. We also get to read a lot of books early and decide if they are worth sharing with you. Which leads into . . .

What are you reading right now?

Well . . . probably something that won't be out for 4-6 months, which is just plain cruel to talk about. Teasing, really. Also, some of us have several books going at once, and it is hard to remember what they are. Method 2 of flustering a bookseller . . . ask for the title and author of the book they have on the nightstand. (Again, "THE" book? Like, one??!?!?!?)

Can you make a recommendation?

Yes. Did you see us rub our hands together and jump a little in excitement? Get ready for a conversation that is even more fun than where you should have lunch.

Skylark Reading Spas - now in couples and luxury editions!

It’s true. Our Skylark reading spas have proven such a hit that by popular request we’re expanding your options… just, wouldn’t you know it, in time for Valentine’s Day. You’re totally welcome.

The Standard Spa: $100.00

With a Skylark Reading Spa you get to spend a delicious hour or two at our Columbia store, for some luxurious literary pampering. One of our team of booksellers will learn all about your favorite reads by having you complete an informal online survey, and will then suggest a range of possible titles for you to choose from, specifically chosen to suit your tastes. What makes this so much fun? As part of the Reading Spa, you have $100 to spend on any books you like. In other words: totally guilt-free shopping. Bring. It. On.

The Reading Spa includes $100 to spend on books, some of our amazing Tazos chocolate, and a Skylark mug.

** VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL **

The Couples’ Spa: Double the Fun!: $175.00

Just like the regular reading spa, only for two. You get: $175 to spend on books (you decided how to split it!); two Skylark mugs; two bits of chocolate; and a small Skylark tote.

The Super Luxury Spa: $250.00

Oh, the pampering. This package gets the lucky recipient $200.00 to spend on books, a mug, chocolate, AND an incredibly soft and comfortable Skylark hoodie AND one of our very swanky large-size Skylark totes to carry it all away in.

Seriously, we are talking the best kind of gift for the book-lover in your life. Give us a call at (573) 777 6900 or drop us a line, and we’ll get you taken care of! For more information about how it all works, go here.

Notes from Carrie: Exultation.

I joke that working retail during the holidays is similar to labor. One forgets the depth of the chaos and exhaustion and dives into the joys every time with excitement . . . . and plans. We see our families less, we sleep less, we eat less . . . but the mores are so enriching that we don't look back. One of the beautiful things about these busy days, one of the best "mores," is observing and soaking in the beauty of the Skylark community.

This season I have been struck by the extraordinary compassion, openness, and closeness carried into our shop. All that our households and communities have gone through has brought something extraordinarily beautiful into our daily human interactions.

During our previous holiday seasons, we would often see the family herd pour through the door, followed by a quick scatter. Everyone in need of a breath, some space, some solitude. These days, however, we see the herd sticking together. Everyone wants a vote. Everyone wants to share their thoughts. No one is sulking by the door (though really, you have to work HARD to sulk in a bookshop folks so these people earn some credit), no one is napping in the comfy chairs upstairs as they wait it out (though naps are totally legit and we adore it when someone knows their loved one is going to take that long and calmly settles in). These days, families and friends blob together from one genre to another. They are talking books and they are talking life. They are asking difficult questions of one another, answering them willingly, and it makes me a bit teary. Bonds are closer y'all.

"I need something sweet for my daughter," is now "I know how much pressure her job puts on her right now, and I'd like something lighter she can escape into." "Do you have something that is encouraging," is now "My Uncle lost his wife, and he is hoping for a book that helps him tap into and process his grief." I just want to hug all of you, or hand you a warm mug of tea and some slippers. But, really the way we do that is by setting a book into your hands and saying "This book is as such, and might be perfect because of these things." You are giving us such wide open doorways to send the paged packages into. I don't know if we have ever had such consistent feelings of really knowing what you all are asking for . . . which means we are tapping into some really heartfelt recommendations. We are invested.

And it isn't just as you shop for other people. We are watching you take care of yourselves. Buying that dang subscription for yourself. Bringing a friend to choose a book to truly discuss together as you both read. In house book clubs. Long distance reading bonding. Honoring your current reading needs. Figuring out the world and how to process it. Figuring out how to exist in the now - or to move forward - or to come to terms with the past.

And what really gets me in adoration mode - you are bonding with strangers over books with such openness, because you realize that we are all part of this massive flock. Did you know that a group of Skylarks is called an Exaltation? Perfect, right?

We can't even begin to count the number of you regulars that walk through our doors and heave a huge sigh of relief (we get it, it is our place of peace too). In our first year I felt giddy each time someone walked in for the first time and let out that little gasp of wonder. Now I tally these sighs of peace into my soul.

So really, I just wanted to say ROCK ON Skylarkians. I'm so freaking proud of each and every one of you. And I adore you, right up through our high ceilings and into this big and tricky world we are living in.

Get a Free Audiobook! Two Ways!

We love audiobooks at Skylark. It allows us to read even more than we already do - in the car, while we’re walking the dog, or when we’re cooking.

You have probably heard us talk about our friends at libro.fm, who offer the very best audiobook experience and service available, and in a way that benefits independent bookstores, rather than, well, you know. The other guy.

The other great thing about libro.fm is that they love giving away audiobooks.

To celebrate Small Business Saturday, libro are offering a free audiobook to anyone who spends more than $15 at Skylark between last Wednesday (November 24) and tomorrow (November 30.) All you have to do is to send them a copy of your receipt. And the choice of titles is stunning. More details here.

And if you haven’t tried audiobooks before, or have used a different audiobook provider, then libro are also offering a free audiobook for anyone who signs up for a membership - so if you were contemplating giving it a try, now would be the time. All you need to do is use the code CHOOSEINDIE when you check out.

Give it a try! Happy listening!

Just added! Brene Brown launch event on December 2!

NEWSFLASH! We’re excited to announce a one-of-a-kind online event on December 2 with none other than the great Brené Brown, who will be launching her new book, Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience.

You can find more details about this unique event here.

In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.

Tickets to this event are available here. A hard cover first edition of the book is included with the price of the ticket. You can choose whether to have the book mailed to you or if you would to pick it up in store. We will email you the link to watch about 48 hours ahead of the event itself.

Katherine May discusses THE ELECTRICITY OF EVERY LIVING THING

If you missed last night’s online talk between Alex and Katherine May about Katherine’s wonderful new book, The Electricity of Every Living Thing, don’t worry! We recorded it, and the link is below. It was a great conversation, ranging from walking the coast of south west England to autism diagnoses and who they are for to wild mushrooms to why Americans don’t like Marmite to why it’s OK to admit that, sometimes, parenting can be a bit crappy. Oh, and some killer book recommendations along the way. Enjoy!

Time Change for Eli Saslow event on Thursday to 6:00 p.m. CST!

For those of you looking forward to tomorrow evening’s discussion with Pulitzer Prize winner Eli Saslow about his stunning new book, Voices from the Pandemic, please note that due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to move this event forward by one hour, to 6:00 p.m. CST.

Here is the (free!) link to register.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a world-shattering event, affecting everyone in the nation. From its first ominous stirrings, renowned journalist Eli Saslow began interviewing a cross-section of Americans, capturing their experiences in real time: An exhausted and anguished EMT risking his life in New York City; a grocery store owner feeding his neighborhood for free in locked-down New Orleans; an overwhelmed coroner in Georgia; a Maryland restaurateur forced to close his family business after forty-six years; an Arizona teacher wrestling with her fears and her obligations to her students; rural citizens adamant that the whole thing is a hoax, and retail workers attacked for asking people to wear masks; patients struggling to breathe and doctors desperately trying to save them.

Through Saslow's masterful, empathetic interviewing, we are given a kaleidoscopic picture of a people dealing with the unimaginable. These deeply personal accounts make for cathartic reading, as we see Americans at their worst, and at their resilient best.

OF WOMEN AND SALT Book Club!

Last Thursday we were thrilled to celebrate the inaugural Skylarking bookclub! Friends old and new gathered in the shop (fully masked, of course) to discuss Gabriela Garcia’s stunning debut novel, Of Women and Salt. Conversation was lively from the start as we chatted about the book and planned what questions we would ask the author when she called in. It was wonderful to be back in the shop after dark, talking books. Heaven knows it’s been a long time coming. (For a list of future events - and there are lots coming up! - click here.)

Gabriela was totally charming and answered everyone’s questions with thoughtfulness and candor. It was a great opportunity (after so many months!) to get answers directly from the author, and provided some new and unique perspectives on the book we had all enjoyed so much. The half hour we spent with her on screen flew by.

Afterwards we asked for feedback about how we could improve on future events and received some very helpful suggestions which we will put in place for this month’s event, which takes place on Thursday, October 28. The chosen book is The Hive, by Melissa Scholes Young. It’s a crackling family saga set in Missouri (Cape Girardeau, to be precise) which will give us all plenty to talk about. Come and join us! All we ask is that you buy your copy of the book from us - either in person or online. See you then??

October is the new December.

Carrie writes…

I've been spending significant time ordering books (and stuff) as we amp up stock for the holiday season. We are seriously excited about some absolutely stellar Fall/Winter titles, and hoping that you enjoy the quirky sidelines as much as we do.

But . . . let's have a serious talk.

Last year we talked about things moving slowly, reprints getting delayed, paper shortages, and low stock availability. This year it isn't any better. When we say the supply chain is broken, we mean random links are shattered all over the place.

You might notice that your favorite barista can't give you a lid for that. Maybe your soda is in a red solo cup. We've been waiting for a reprint on that bestseller everyone is talking about. Life is complicated y'all.

I have had a solid wall of email blasts from my reps and the publishers every day for weeks now. We are being told to order for the rest of the year now, don't expect to reorder, good luck guessing what book goes viral, BUY IT ALL AND CROSS YOUR FINGERS. It isn't wishy washy. It is extremely clear. And I'm trying folks. I am ordering big. The other day the staff informed me that a wall of boxes had arrived and "oh my word"?!?! They spent two days tag teaming the opening, sorting, receiving, and shelving just to see our magical UPS guy bring more. He brings us more every. single. day.

Some of the titles we order in for you are taking a bit longer. Some are coming in quickly and you haven't noticed anything different at all. You might notice our ETA estimates are getting a bit vague. We can usually tell when something will arrive in 2-3 business days . . . what we can't tell anymore is about the ones that used to take 5-6 business days. Some of those magically show up in two days, others take a month.

It isn't an Indie issue (you will find the same issues globally, the Indies are just the ones really being honest with you about it). It isn't a bookshop specific issue (shortages are not just in paper anymore). It is all just rather complicated.

So why am I telling you all of this? Well, mostly because we like you to know what is going on. We still want to order your books in for you. We still want to help you find the perfect gifts. What we are hoping is that you will be a bit patient with the universe as it all plays out.

Let us work our magic and help you find the perfect book for your uncle instead of being sure that the one you heard about on the radio is the ONLY perfect book. (It is sort of our job to know about the other perfect books… and we like to think we are pretty dang good at it.) Pretend your timeline is missing a few weeks (or months) and you really need to get your holiday shopping done now. The sooner you get started, the more selection you are going to have access to . . . and the more likely we can order in that obscure book about drones that knit fuzzy sweaters and solve murders.

Also, never forget about the magic of our other options. Book subscriptions are amazing. The Skylark Reading Spa is one of our favorite things. Audio book subscriptions are perfect for the commuter in your family . . . or the kid who never seems to take out their earbuds. And, of course, old-fashioned gift certificates never go out of style.

Also-also . . . thanks for helping us continue to survive this strange universe. We are pretty stubborn and keep trying to innovate, but none of that matters without you hopping along on this journey with us. Your support means the world . . . as in it means Skylark exists in this world.

Okay. It is time for me to go put in another order. Maybe I'll get a dozen extra of that one . . . it looks cute.

It's official... USA Today says we are a "cool indie bookstore"!

Just in case you didn’t see it on our social media feeds, we appeared in USA Today this morning in an article that featured 30 independent bookstores from across the country. And what amazing company we’re in! We feel honored indeed to be included!

Here’s the link.

Now We Are Three.

Three years ago, today, we opened our doors for the first time! It was a glorious day. We met dear friends and complete strangers (some of whom have now become dear friends) and sold a ton of books.

Of course, it has not been entirely smooth sailing since then. About half of the shop’s existence has now been under the shadow of the pandemic. And we would like to extend our deepest thanks to every one of you who has shopped here and supported us throughout this extraordinarily challenging time. Independent bookstores, especially new ones, were closing at a rate of one per week throughout 2020, and the *only* reason that we survived was because of you. So here we are, on our third birthday, a little battered, a little beaten, extremely tired – but immensely grateful.

Skylark is a small business, a local business. We live here. We know you. We hire your friends and neighbors. We treat them like family. Hell, we treat most of you like family. And (unlike Jeff Bezos) we pay our taxes. And we sell the best damn books. Seriously. When we began this adventure it was all about the community we wanted to build within these walls. Thank you all for allowing us to continue this work. It is such a privilege and joy to serve you in this way.

(And come by on Saturday to help us celebrate in person! We'll have giveaways, raffles, discounts... and we'll be revealing the 2021 Skylark T-shirt!!!)

Exclusive Paula Hawkins Live Event and Signed First Editions!

So. Much. News.

Just in case you missed it, we wanted to let you know that, in conjunction with a handful of other wonderful independent bookstores, Skylark will be co-hosting an exclusive online event to celebrate the publication of A SLOW FIRE BURNING, the newest sensational page-turner from #1 New York Times best-selling author Paula Hawkins, she of the mega-selling THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN.

The event will take place on Wednesday, September 8. Mark your calendars!

To register for this event, which gets you a signed first edition of Paula’s brilliant book, click here.

Excitingly, Paula will be interviewed at this event by Columbia’s very own Laura McHugh, who knows a thing or two about crafting taut and suspenseful novels!

Space is limited to this event so we strongly suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

With the same propulsion that captivated millions of readers worldwide in The Girl on the Train and Into the Water, Paula Hawkins unfurls a gripping, twisting story of deceit, murder, and revenge.

When a young man is found gruesomely murdered in a London houseboat, it triggers questions about three women who knew him. Laura is the troubled one-night-stand last seen in the victim's home. Carla is his grief-stricken aunt, already mourning the recent death of yet another family member. And Miriam is the nosy neighbor clearly keeping secrets from the police. Three women with separate connections to the victim. Three women who are - for different reasons - simmering with resentment. Who are, whether they know it or not, burning to right the wrongs done to them. When it comes to revenge, even good people might be capable of terrible deeds. How far might any one of them go to find peace? How long can secrets smolder before they explode into flame?

Please note that this event takes place at noon as Paula is in the UK and so our usual evening events would be well past her bedtime! However, if you are unable to attend in person, your registration will allow you to watch a recording after the event.

Paula Hawkins is the author of the #1 New York Times-bestselling novels Into the Water and The Girl on the Train. An international #1 bestseller, The Girl on the Train has sold 23 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into a major motion picture. Hawkins was born in Zimbabwe and now lives in London.

Here’s that link to purchase your signed first edition once again.

On the Subject of Book Clubs... We Proudly Present the Book Club Buffet!!

The response to our recently-announced Skylarking Book Club has been overwhelming! We’ve sold out of OF WOMEN AND SALT multiples times over and are ordering more every day to keep up with the demand. We can’t wait for our inaugural get-together on September 30!

If you are already in a book club (and many of you are, we are know) we wanted to let you know about an amazing online event on September 14 that we are proud to present with our friends at Valley Bookseller which has been designed specifically with book clubs in mind. If your book club ever struggles to find great titles to read and discuss, then we have the solution! On September 14 at 7:00 p.m., we are proud to present 32 (yes, you read that right, thirty-two) fabulous authors, each of whom have written wonderful books perfect for book clubs. Each author will each give a brief presentation about their books and why they're so great for book clubs. It will be fast-faced, entertaining and hugely fun! The cost is $10 to attend this virtual event, but you receive a $10 online gift code to spend at Skylark, so it's basically free. If you're unable to watch at the time of transmission, fear not - you can watch whenever you like, and can even pick and choose which authors you want to hear from.

Click here to purchase your ticket to this unique event.

When you purchase this item you will receive:

(a) The code to access the event (we will send this to you nearer the time); and

(b) An online gft code worth $10 which you can apply to any Skylark purchase on the website (not just titles feautured in the Buffet)

(c) Contact information for the participating authors so you can invite them to speak with your book club.

A list of the participating authors follows:

• Lolá Akínmádé Akerström

• Lyn Liao Butler

• Nickolas Butler

• Julie Carrick Dalton

• Kat Chow

• Christi Clancy

• Lizzy Dent

• Amy Mason Doan

• Mari Eder

• Patry Francis

• Caseen Gaines

• Ann Garvin

• Alex George

• Andrew Graff

• Tamron Hall

• Laura Hankin

• Nicola Harrison

• Lauren Ho

• B.J. Hollars

• Nancy Johnson

• Caroline Leavitt

• Elizabeth Letts

• Syed Masood

• Alan Parks

• Hank Phillippi-Ryan

• Steven Rowley

• Melissa Scholes Young

• Katherine Sherbrooke

• Shruti Swamy

• Karin Tanabe

• Dawn Turner

• Sarah Zachrich Jeng

Announcing the Inaugural Skylark Book Club!

Well, we’re only about 18 months later than scheduled. Thanks, pandemic. Still, better late than never, we say.

As we told you a few weeks ago, we’ve been planning to launch our own book club for our customers for some time now, and the time is finally here to let you know all about it.

The Skylarking Book Club will take place on the last Thursday of every month, at 6:30 or thereabouts. Each month we will choose a fabulous newly released title - both fiction and nonfiction, depending on how the mood takes us - and we will gather in the shop to talk about the book, drink a little wine, and generally engage in the kind of book talk that made us want to open the bookshop in the first place.

So (drumroll please) we are excited to announce our inaugural selection: it is OF WOMEN AND SALT, by Gabriela Garcia. The discussion will take place in the shop at 6:30 on Thursday, September 30. (We wanted to give you plenty of time to read the book.)

It will cost nothing to attend - all we ask is that you purchase your copy of the book from us - either online, via email, in person, or over the phone at (573) 777 6990. All purchases of the book will receive a 15% discount up until September 30. (If you are buying online, you’ll need to enter the discount code “BC921” on the checkout page.)

This timely, electrifying debut novel - one of the most hotly anticipated titles of the year - traces a lineage of mothers and daughters across the Cuban diaspora. Spanning five generations and four countries—from 19th-century Cuba to contemporary Miami and Mexico—Garcia’s prismatic debut follows Latinas of fierce pride and longing, all irrevocably linked by the inheritance of trauma, and by the writings and stories passed between them.

Garcia—a former star student of Roxane Gay at Purdue’s MFA program in creative writing, and the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Award—taps into some of our most pressing issues. She writes, “As the multi-racial, multi-ethnic daughter of immigrants from Cuba and Mexico, I know firsthand that identities are chosen and assigned, fluid and confining. I’d never read a novel that spoke to the complexities of my own experience—I wanted to write one that dismantled the notion that there is a single Latinx or immigrant experience and that turned a lens on how privilege, colorism, and immigration inequality shape communities over decades.”

This novel is fabulous - but don’t take our word for it. OF WOMEN AND SALT has earned remarkable early praise. O, The Oprah Magazine raves, “A meditation on motherhood, displacement, and cultural identity . . . this stunningly accomplished first novel is both epic and intimate”; Elle chimes in, “A vast account of family, culture, politics, and the traumas inflicted by all, this gorgeous debut heralds the arrival of a literary star”; Harper’s Bazaar adds, “Garcia’s debut novel promises to be a sweeping tour de force about addiction, displacement, and the legacy of trauma"; Ms. magazine states, “This remarkable debut shines a brilliant light on the broken immigration system and legacy of trauma for the people who endure it"; and the Washington Post deems Garcia’s debut “A mesmerizing patchwork of determination, courage and survival.”

If all this wasn’t enough, we’re very please to announce that Gabriela Garcia will be attending the book club via Zoom to participate in the discussion! So you’ll be able to ask her questions directly.

We look forward to seeing you there. Here’s the link to purchase, one more time.

Gabriela Garcia is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer's Award and a Steinbeck Fellowship from San Jose State University. Her fiction and poems have appeared in Best American Poetry, Tin House, Zyzzyva, Iowa Review, and elsewhere. She is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Cuba and grew up in Miami; she currently lives in Oakland, CA. She previously worked in music, magazines, technology, and feminist and migrant justice organizing. OF WOMEN AND SALT is her first novel.

The Skylark Subscription - an unsolicited review

We love our Skylark subscription service - it’s one of the most fun things we do. Carefully choosing books for each of our customers, gift wrapping them and then popping them in the mail as a surprise - what’s not to like? We love to get feedback about the choices we make - but never before have we received a full-blown review, and so we wanted to share it with you. We absolutely love this - it kind of captures all of the excitement and discovery that we aim for every time we select a title for our subscriptions. Our deep thanks to Woody Berry for taking the time to write and to share these insights. (And we totally agree about Jericho Brown’s laugh.)

If you’d like a book subscription of your own, drop us a line!

You received a 12-month Skylark Subscription Gift and are now half way through the experience. How did this gift happen?

It began as a Christmas surprise. I had originally planned to give my wife a Skylark Reading Spa experience. She’s a retired librarian. An English major. A reader. This was going to be my perfect Christmas gift! After being excited about it, I then realized there was no way she was going into an enclosed space to be pampered in the midst of the pandemic. So, I told her about it instead, hoping at least to delight her with the idea. She loved it, and hoped I might remember it for another time. But then at Christmas, I received from her a 12-month Skylark Subscription Gift. Basically, the spa gift without the spa, but with a book every month. After profuse thanks to her, I filled out the form, with the promise that I would receive each month a “new or unusual book” that my “Skylark bibliotherapist” would select for me. 

How has the process been for you?

I’ve loved it! I’ve received a book in the mail each month, always a surprise. I’ve ripped through the wrapping immediately, pondered – why this book? Then placed it on my desk, waiting for the best time to get started on it. I wanted to have enough time to get into it without being distracted, but did no research on the author or checked out other reviews. I’ve received the book as something that will be “new or unusual” and have embarked on it as an adventure. 

Which of the six books you’ve read has impacted you the most? 

There’s a Revolution Outside, My Love:  Letters from a Crisis by Tracy K. Smith and John Freeman(2021).

I had heard about the book, a collection of writings from people during the pandemic, but I didn’t think I was ready to read it when it arrived. I was not ready to reflect on the past year, as much as to escape it. And yet there the book sat on my desk and one day I picked it up and thumbed through the authors who had written and saw that Nikky Finney had written a letter. I had known her when we both lived in Kentucky and was so deeply moved by her poems, her insights, her use of language to describe her life, so I had to read her letter immediately:  to John Robert Lewis. In the midst of a pandemic, in the explosion (again) of the Black Lives Matter Movement, she wrote to John Lewis upon his death with praise for his revolutionary life of justice, while naming what his legacy inspired her to do today. It was beautiful and made me ready to mark those significant moments of last year. Immediately I went on to read what another of my favorite poets, Layli Long Soldier, chose to write. It was not poetry, but was powerfully personal in response to the “murder of George Floyd.” While she and George Floyd were “from different communities, different backgrounds, different genders” yet on this land their histories overlapped.  She wrote, “George Floyd’s murder hit me to my core, as if he were my brother, my own, my blood. His death – along with the recent chain of violations and murders of Black people – makes me feel desperate for the respect owed to them. Absolute respect. Not one more violation.” She goes on to explain what particular actions she now feels compelled to do. The 40 writings in this book each bring out one moment from the past year not to be forgotten, but to be acted upon instead – to live in a better way, to get out and do what needs to be done. Edwidge Danticat talks about mourning. Amaud Jamaul Johnson reminds me of the fault lines of midwestern racism. Cynthia Tucker writes about a mother who survived and thrived. Francisco Goldman talks about the result of the 2020 election and what it will take to live on “after a regime.” These 40 letters, plus the powerful preface by Tracy K. Smith, are diverse, deep, compelling. They are the soul of the past year that give direction for a new beginning post-pandemic. 

Were all the gift books successful?

            Yes! Each one took me to a place I would not have gone otherwise. 

Hook by Randall Horton. His memoir, helped me see the bravery of a man who will tell the truth and bear the consequences. Because of this, previous stereotypes came apart for me in my understanding of the power of addiction, the rancidness of the racial and social constructions of America, and the horrors and sins of the Prison Industrial Complex. 

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This novel took me to great places of pain and heartbreak and guilt as I journeyed with the main character through his years as a child born from a master and enslaved woman on a Virginia plantation. From his painful, yet powerful escape from slavery to his experience living in freedom for a year in Philadelphia, to his journey back to the plantation as part of The Underground, with his special gift of Conduction, I learned as I traveled his path. 

Everywhere You Don’t Belong by Gabriel Bump. This is a terrifically told contemporary story of a young man born on the South Side of Chicago, raised by his grandmother and her friend Paul. He is a great kid, good listener, quiet, and yet constantly barraged by a family who want him to be more and do more, especially in terms of acting for social justice. And yet he sees the faults on all sides, not wanting to choose sides, afraid to do anything. He leaves home for college, but finds there’s no getting away from the South Side, from the family, from their expectations of him, nor from their love. It is a story told with an authentic voice from a perspective totally new to me. 

Some of Us Are Very Hungry Now by Andrew Perry. This book of essays come from a transforming, honest voice in the form of screenplays, imagined talk-show conversations, multiple choice questions, and conversations from childhood schoolyards to Midwestern bars. The last essay, “Americana/Dying of Thirst” describes the moment Perry stands at a concert in Iowa City, surrounded by over 1800 white people, and knew he was alone, the smallest black man in the world, listening to a live concert by rapper Kendrick Lamar. He describes this experience in a love letter to Emma, and as he slowly backs out of the concert, and considers where his hunger can be fed, his thirst assuaged. What eye-opening essays can be found here! 

One Hundred Apocalypses and Other Apocalypses by Lucy Corin Is a book full of “apocs,” which are short stories, some only a sentence long, some going for pages, that describe one moment, one event, almost like a frozen moment with only the author’s perspective circling the moment and describing in details unlike any you have heard before. Each apoc is a challenging read, but each one gave me a different way of seeing reality. 

Did any of the books inspire you to read other works by the authors?

Tracy K. Smith!  I found her appearances from this year’s recorded Unbound Book Festival and was enlivened by her readings and by her conversations with others. I read her collections Wade in the Water and Life on Mars. Which led me on to read the amazing Jericho Brown’s The Tradition and The New Testament. Which led me to Frank X Walker’s Pandemic & Protest Poems. I never expected poetry to be the power that would bring meaning to this year. Those three authors present a powerful witness to what could have been so easily forgotten, or not heeded, during this past year. They feel like friends who will accompany me forever. 

 What insight has been deepest from your reading so far?

The necessity of listening to how those different from me speak their own experiences, understand their own lives, and organize their understanding of our culture, society, and history.

What line from the six books still remains with you?

It’s a thought I heard through all the books, but written very simply by Andre Perry:  “That when we said ‘slavery’ we didn’t just means ours, we meant yours too.” …  A good line that carries that thought forward is this:  “And fractured lives are not just black lives but Native lives, immigrant lives, and white lives too – the whole continent.” 

Which of the writers would you most like to have coffee with? 

Jericho Brown. He can laugh like no one else I know! 

What are you hoping for in the readings for the next 6 months? 

A continuation of the “new and unusual.” That’s how I learn best.  

Again, if you’d like to experience a Skylark subscription for yourself, call us at (573) 777 6990 or drop us a line.

Come and meet Christina Baker Kline (and four other superstar authors!) on July 7!

It seems like a VERY LONG TIME ago now, but we have happy memories of hosting the always-wonderful Christina Baker Kline at one of our first virtual Skylark events last September to celebrate the launch of her latest novel, THE EXILES. It was a fantastic conversation and we’re thrilled to welcome Christina back to help celebrate the launch of the paperback on July 7.

The evening will be a memorable one, not least because there will be four - count ‘em, four - superstar bestselling authors appearing to help wave the paperback of this gorgeous book out into the world - Elin Hilderbrand, Chris Bohjalian, Kristin Hannah, and Paula McLain! It’s going to be a great evening, full of fascinating and entertaining book talk.

To join us, all you need to do is pre-order the paperback here or at the shop (or on the phone, of course) and we will send you the exclusive link and password to gain entry to the event. Christina is also signing book plates and all attendees will receive one of those to go with their books. Also (while stocks last) we’ll send you an exclusive signed Skyku that Christina composed for us last year!

The fun starts at 6:00 p.m. CST - see you then!

Skylarking. In Person. With You.

Ever so slowly, people are putting on real clothes again. We’re emerging from our houses, blinking at the sun, and leaving our sourdough starters, abandoned gajillion-piece puzzles, and beloved yoga pants behind. We at Skylark are dreaming about a world with a whole lot less Zooming in it. In particular, we’re thinking about how to reintroduce author events and other book-related things that actually take place in the shop. One idea we’ve been toying with for ages – until COVID came along, that is – is starting a regular book club for our customers. (We’ve hosted book clubs in the past, but this would be something that we would run and would be open to all.) The purpose of this post is really just to gauge interest among all you lovely people. 

Here’s what we’re thinking. Every month, we’ll select a new book that we love – we’ll include fiction and nonfiction, big titles and books that you might otherwise miss – and then we’ll gather in the shop to talk about it. (It goes without saying that this assumes that we’ll be able to do this in a safe and healthy way.)  Attendance will be free; the only condition will be that you have to buy your copy of the book from Skylark to join in the fun. There’d be no commitment: people can pick and choose which months to attend, depending on whether or not the book we’ve chosen appeals. And sometimes (no promises!) we’ll try and get the author to attend, either in person or remotely. So, will you drop us a line and tell us: would this be of interest to you?

Indies Introduce... Ten of the Best Debuts Coming This Year

Carrie writes…

Reading books before they are released is one of the bookseller duties we know is actually a job perk. There is not a day I don't find one (or twenty) to add to my perilous to-be-read stacks. My children make fun of these stacks . . . invading much of our house, but then I see them raiding and creating their own. I guess we are even.

It is no secret that the pandemic impacted reading habits, pretty much globally. So my stacks were shuffled and admired, but I was truly struggling to know what books would distract, embrace, and indulge me. I hit a reading rut, seeking out short uncomfortable reads which pulled me in so deeply that reality faded out for the duration of pages. I knew that if I had to set the book down before I finished, I would struggle to find my place . . . not just in the book, but in my soul. But after a bit, I really wanted to dive back into the range of reading I enjoyed pre-COVID. I needed to be told what to read and I needed to have to read it.

The Indies Introduce opportunity arrived and it was perfection. Our tiny crew of booksellers from across the country began reading (52! debut works) and meeting virtually in January of 2021. By the end of April, we had our top ten titles. While we all felt attached to some titles that did not make the list (I will 100% be sharing these as well), this top ten was something we felt we could all get behind and share with you, Indie readers of seriously good books. These debut titles represent the best of some incredible reads. You can review all the titles, together with my brief reviews, here.

To Sara (Books & More in GA) who led our opinionated crew, to Joy and Jess of ABA who guided our distractions, to Deidre (WORD Bookstore in NJ), Olivia (Boulder Book Store in CO), Audrey (Belmont Books in MA), Chris (Boswell Book Company in WI), Ariana (Country Bookshelf in MT), and Amanda (Warrick's in CA). May we one day meet in person, may readers devour these brilliant books, and may we forever debate those divisive works.

COVID Update - Keep Those Masks On!

All City of Columbia pandemic restrictions ended on Wednesday, but we at Skylark are still wearing masks, and we are still requiring all but our smallest customers to wear masks as well when they come into the shop. We wanted to explain why.

From the earliest days of the pandemic, we have gone above and beyond the requirements imposed by CDC guidelines and the various ordinances passed by the city. Our decisions about how to navigate the various phases of the pandemic have been based on our own reading of the science and consulting with our staff. 

Our primary responsibility is to keep our community safe. Not all of our team are yet fully vaccinated, and so of course we will not do anything to expose them to risk. But even when everyone on staff is vaccinated, we won’t know the status of our customers (except, of course, for all the children who visit us – who won’t be vaccinated.) So, for the time being, we’re going to continue to ask you to wear a mask and to sanitize when you step inside the shop – even if you have been vaccinated. (Because vaccinated folks might still carry the virus and infect others.)

We are as eager as any one for things to get back to normal. We love to see you in the shop and can’t wait to start holding in-person author events again (remember those?) But we believe that the best and quickest way of achieving that goal is to maintain the cautious approach that we have taken to date. 

We understand that this approach may be frustrating to some, but we ask that you respect our decision. We’d be more than happy to mail books or deliver curbside if you don’t wish to wear your mask in the shop.

Thanks for your understanding. And keep reading!

Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day!

Next Saturday, April 24, is Independent Bookstore Day - when bookshops (and their customers) up and down the country will celebrate bookshops and books, and the communities we build around them.

It's been a tough year for independent bookstores. During the pandemic at least one independent bookstore closed permanently every week. We at Skylark have been so moved by your amazing support during this time. We've had to pivot and adapt as circumstances changed. For a while we were an exclusively mail-order business, then we did a little home delivery, then curbside... and then we launched our e-commerce website. We've masked up, we've wiped down, we've sanitized and cleaned and quarantined. We got our jabs (and we hope you got yours.) You've been with us every step of the way, supporting us even when we couldn't welcome you into the store, and we couldn't be more grateful. We wouldn't be here without all of you, and so we'd really like YOU to help us celebrate this year.

Here's what we'd like you to do. On Saturday, we'd love it if you would post a photo about Skylark on social media. It could be a photo of the shop, or of the last book you bought from us, you wearing Skylark merch - whatever you want. Tag us, and two friends of yours who are readers and use the hashtags #indiebookstoreday and #bookstoreshoutout. Follow these three steps to be entered into the raffle:

So, yes, the raffle. As usual, first prize is a Skylark tote bag stuffed full of books, treats, goodies and other wonderful things. Second prize is an exclusive consult with your chosen bookseller to help you reimagine or revitalize your reading list - and we'll throw in one of the books we suggest, for good measure.

There are three other ways you can enter the raffle, too:

• Spend more than $50.00 in the shop;

• Make an online purchase (no minimum purchase); or

• Purchase a Libro.fm subscription supporting Skylark.

While we're on the subject of our friends at Libro.fm, they are offering a free audiobook for anyone who spends more than $15.00 at any independent bookstore between April 24 and April 26. Here's how you do it:

In addition to all this, we'll be offering a ton of books at frankly ridiculous discounts for one day only, and we'll be offering even greater savings on our Blind Date with a Book offerings (which are already 50% off!)

We're still here. You're still here. There's a lot to celebrate. Come join us!