On independent bookstore day, my honey and I dropped into our favorite hometown bookstore Bel Canto Books located inside The Hangout on 4th street in Long Beach.
You can feel the book love in this creative space within a larger space that also features a plant and ceramics corner, candles and body stuff, as well as a coffee/wine bar with gardening classes out back.
Bel Canto owner Jhoanna Belfer was busy refilling empty spaces on shelves and tables with a wide variety of books and totes and mugs. But she was happy to meet us and hear a bit about All the Girls in Town.
Bel Canto has creative ideas to build community like readers visiting other SoCal bookstores together. I can't wait to hop on this train! They also have several pop-ups, including the local farmer's market and Steel Cup Cafe where they host a monthly bookclub.
Picked up:
The Swimmers, by Julie Otsuka (which my friends say is fantastic!)