Calling all Shania Twain fans: The Canadian country-pop star’s first album in six years, Queen of Me, is coming out Feb. 3! To get us prepared, we’re stocking up on books inspired by some of our fav Shania songs. Once you’ve settled in with some of these books, queue up our Shania Twain-inspired playlist and […]
Lit Happens
Black History Month spotlight: Black books to read all year long
February is Black History Month, and to celebrate we invited some of our favorite Black bookish influencers to share a book recommendation by a Black author. Check out these recommendations and give our featured influencers a follow! Ahtiya | @bookinitwithahtiya I am a native New Yorker currently teaching ELA to middle schoolers as I build […]
January Authors Forward interview with Mark Ellis and Chris Lloyd
Welcome to our Authors Forward series, where our innovative and talented Books Forward authors interview other great, forward-thinking voices in the industry. For January, author and crime writer Mark Ellis interviews Chris Lloyd, author of the award-winning Occupation series. What inspired you to become a writer? I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing […]
Celebrate national puzzle day with a bookish puzzle
What’s better than a hot beverage, an excellent audiobook and a new puzzle? If you love nothing more than zoning out and concentrating on finding the next piece and where to fit it, then we’ve got some recommendations for you. But this time they aren’t book recs! National Puzzle Day is January 29, and we […]
Tips for new BookTokers
BookTok has taken bookworms by storm — folks have discovered a reignited passion for reading, bookstores have seen huge upticks in sales, and eager creators have cultivated a special, diverse community. It’s a uniquely warm & charming corner of the internet … but it can also be quite intimidating. When I first stumbled into BookTok, […]
How do pre-orders affect release day sales?
Pre-orders are early purchases of your book that will be fulfilled on publication day. Historically, pre-orders have been viewed as a predictor of a book’s success by retailers. If your book is making waves before publication day, booksellers may increase their initial orders and provide your book with more exposure, which, in turn, may increase […]
Ten sci-fi books to read for Science Fiction Day
Happy Science Fiction Day! What better way to celebrate the day than with a few sci-fi stories that travel across the stars on space voyages filled with political intrigue, suspense, thrills, and the deep connection humans make with each other. These books defy the odds, raise the stakes, and make you wonder what lives beyond […]
Best practices for influencers working with publicists
I’ve been a Bookstagram influencer for six years now. Throughout that time, I’ve worked with many different publishing houses, promoted books to my audience, reviewed some lovely and incredible new favorites, and made some strong relationships with publicists. The experience of working with a publishing house to help promote a book is incredible. I feel […]
An interview with Dana Swift of Books & Books
What’s your favorite area of your bookstore? I love the children’s area. There is something truly magical about this colorful place where kids of all ages come to discover a new book or discover the joy of reading. It isn’t always some portal into fantasy or adventure either. The children’s area can also be where a […]
Books to read if you are looking forward to Glass Onion
I remember Knives Out being one of the most fun experiences I’ve had at a movie theater in a long time, and I’m so excited to watch Glass Onion over Christmas break. A locked room (boat?) mystery with quirky characters? Count me in! If you’ve already seen it and loved it, or if you’re looking […]