Books of Wonder to Open Second Store

This summer, New York City children’s bookstore Books of Wonder [5] will open a second location, a 2,600-square-foot storefront on the Upper West Side of Manhattan that will feature new, classic, and collectible books as well as a gallery of original children’s book art, reported the New York Times [6].

Books of Wonder founder and owner Peter Glassman said he is not optimistic about being able to renew the lease for the store’s current location on 18th Street, which expires at the end of 2019, but he does plan to seek out a new location in the same area.

“I wanted to make sure we had another location open and well established before the current store’s lease expires, so if we have difficulty finding a new location and have to close for a few months we would have another location to serve our customers, not be out of business for any period of time, and not have to lay off my wonderful staff,” he said.

Glassman opened Books of Wonder in the West Village in 1980.

Skylight Books Wins Small Business of the Year Award

Laura Friedman and Mary Williams

On Monday, June 5, during a ceremony in Sacramento, Mary Williams of Skylight Books [7] in Los Angeles was presented with a California Small Business of the Year Award by Assemblymember Laura Friedman.

Friedman praised Skylight Books for its role as a gathering place for the community, a host for hundreds of author events a year, and a center for political discussion, said Williams, the store’s general manager. “I’m grateful to Assemblymember Friedman and her team, not only for selecting us for this award, but also for being so welcoming to me in Sacramento,” she added.

Skylight Books was among 85 small businesses from across the state to be recognized this year.

Paragraphs Named Best Bookstore in Texas

South Padre Island’s Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard [8], owned by Joni Montover, has been named the number-one bookstore in Texas, reported the Valley Morning Star [9].

Nearly 2,500 readers of the Lone Star Literary Life [10] website cast ballots to vote on their favorite bookstores throughout the state, including independent bookstores, used bookstores, and chain stores.

The bookstore, which opened in 2009, offers an array of general-interest titles and hosts author readings and signings throughout the year, including with self-published authors. “It’s part of the store mission to help promote literacy in the Lower Rio Grande Valley by hosting numerous book signings and we are happy to allow many self-published authors the opportunity to interact with potential readers in person,” Montover said.