'Why Books Still Matter' Spurs Us to Action
Books are not staid things and the upcoming Why Books Still Matter looks to show us why. Books are important and, if done well, can spur us to action. I’m very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this next Rivertowns Books.
First, the book honors Joyce Meskis, who passed away in December 2022. There are many bookstores in the U.S. (though not near enough), and it is rare for a shop to take on ‘national recognition,’ but Meskis’ Tattered Cover in Denver, Colorado, turned into one of those stores. It’s such a cool space with a storied history of bookish community. Best I can tell, it was Meskis’ sense of community, action, and love of books that inspired Rivertowns Books to publish Why Books Still Matter, which is a collection of essays addressing things like freedom to read, book bans, bookstores in communities, and all the freedoms assigned to creating, writing, publishing and selling books.
This sounds incredible!
Why Books Still Matter is a collection of 15 essays by friends, co-workers, and admirers of Meskis and one entry by Joyce Meskis herself that ran back in 2022.
A few of the other names I recognized:
- U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper
- First Amendment activist Chris Finan
- Book marketer Carl Lennertz
- Bookseller Clara Villarosa
As if this whole book project wasn’t already cool enough, all proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Folks, this is one that we’ll all want to read. Joyce Meskis has left behind a beautiful legacy.
Why Books Still Matter, edited by Karl Weber, is released on May 7, 2024. You can see what other upcoming books we’re tracking on our Upcoming Releases page.
