Dear book peeps,

After two weeks in Ireland (so so lovely), a week of being sick (less lovely), and now trying to get back in the work groove amid so much awful news (very, very, very unlovely), we’re shifting into summer, which means our July travel books reading list, balmy concert nights, and sleeveless Zuri dresses.

There is a lot to be scared and angry about, and instead of doomscrolling (though we’re doing plenty of that), we’re trying hard to channel our feelings into joyful resistance, art appreciation, and community outreach. Here’s a few things that have brought me some much needed cheer recently:

• Watching Secret Mall Apartment documentary at the Art Theatre of Long Beach

• Seeing the Art of Food exhibit at the Long Beach Museum of Art

• Reading THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY (an Ireland book haul!)

• Eating olive cumin bread from Colossus Bread (loaded with avocado and Kyoto furikake seasoning)

• Donating to ORALE and NDLON (National Day Laborer Organizing Network) to support our communities in need

I’m looking forward to #OneBookJuly, when many of us paper planners switch up our regular planning systems for a simplified one (ie, one book + one pen) for the month. I’ll also be reading ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear, since I feel like I’ve drifted away from good habits and routines this year, with so many trips and external insanity interrupting my regular schedule.

We also have some great author events this month, including journalist Sara Kehaulani Goo for KULEANA: A STORY OF FAMILY, LAND, AND LEGACY IN OLD HAWAI’I and bookstore friend Elise Bryant for THE GAME IS AFOOT, her latest PTA cozy mystery! Plus we have a creative journaling workshop and stationery popup day planned at KUBO LB! I hope to see you out and about in the community.

Here’s to books, laughter, and joyful resistance!
Jhoanna
Head Booknerd + Owner of Bel Canto Books

JULY EVENTS

We’re proud to host these amazing authors and artists this month! Bel Canto Books events are free to attend, unless otherwise noted. Please join us in supporting our authors by RSVPing in advance and purchasing their books from us (or requesting them from your local library)!

Tuesday 7/1, 7pm @ KUBO LB
Sara Kehaulani Goo, KULEANA with NPR’s David Greene

Tuesday 7/8, 7pm @ KUBO LB
Elise Bryant, THE GAME IS AFOOT with Diane Marie Brown, BLACK CANDLE WOMEN

Saturday 7/12, 11am-2pm @ KUBO LB
Creative Journaling Workshop with Amelia Haru ($30pp) + Okeya Stationery Popup

Saturday 7/19, 12pm @ KUBO LB
Storytime & Craft Activity with Christine Alemshah, BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES

Sunday 7/20, 12pm @ BCB Retro Row
Sayon Syprasoeuth COLORING AND LEARNING ABOUT CAMBODIA AND THE ARTS

Friday 7/25, 6-9pm @ BCB Retro Row
Fourth Fridays

JULY BOOK CLUBS

Book clubs are free to join and attend. We greatly appreciate your support of our work and our featured authors and encourage you to buy from our stores, Bookshop.org, Libro.fm, and/or request books from your local library. Learn more and kindly RSVP here.

Bel Canto Book Club
ON GOLD HILL by Jaclyn Moyer
Thu 7/17, 6:30pm at Union @ Compound

Graphic Novel Book Club
DUCKS by Kate Beaton
Sat 7/19, 10am PT / 1pm ET (virtual)

Burning Issues Book Club
CALIFORNIA AGAINST THE SEA by Rosanna Xia
Sun 7/27, 12pm PT / 3pm ET (virtual)

Movies N’ Books Club
APOCALYPSE NOW / HEART OF DARKNESS by Joseph Conrad
Tue 7/30, 7pm at the Art Theater LB

Queer Book Club
No July meeting

The Conscious Tea Book Club
BAD LAND by Corinna Chong
Sun 7/27, 11am at BCB Retro Row