May at BLK + BRWN.

A newsletter for your bookish spirit — with new reads, real talk, and ways to plug in.

YOUR LOCAL BOOK PUSHER
May 27, 2025 • Est Reading Time: 2 minutes

Happy Tuesday Friends.

The countdown to the Block Party is on, and we’ve got some exciting updates to share!

🚨 Distribution Update
We recently hit a snag with one of our main distributors — they’ve stopped shipping to the U.S. since they're based in Canada. 😕 If you placed an order with us in the last month, don’t worry — we’ve re-ordered everything, and new shipment dates are on the way.
We’ll email folks individually as orders ship. Thank you for your patience and continued support. We love y’all for real.

💛Need some new books? Don’t forget to use your Subscriber Discount!

Remember: 15% off. Use code SUB15.

➡ Shop Now

📚 What’s coming up at the Bookstore

Sat, June 7 @ 6-7 PM

Join us for a special event with Kansas City-based comic book creator Brandon Calloway, founder of Blerd Comics and creator of Black Spartans, Knights of Olympus, The Wolf of Kansas City and more!

This hands-on workshop is your launchpad to making your own comic—from the first idea to the final printed page.

Open to teens + adults.

Thur, June 19 @ 6-8 PM

Pull up for a special evening with Essence bestselling author + Kansas City native, Monica Garner.

She’ll be sharing the inspiration behind her newest novel, Summer on Cape May— a heartwarming, emotional novel about sisterhood, secrets, and second chances.

Set over one unforgettable summer in the charming seaside town of Cape May, New Jersey, three lifelong friends face love, betrayal, and life-changing choices while planning a lavish wedding. Perfect for fans of Brenda Jackson, Rhonda McKnight, and Susan Mallery, this is a story you won’t want to miss.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 • 12 - 4 PM This isn’t just a party — it’s a celebration of Black liberation, community, storytelling, and all the good energy we’ve built together over the years. You can expect to see: 20+ Black/Brown local vendors to support, music, dancing, food trucks + sweet treats, books, storytelling, + community.

The Block Party is loading, and your support is making it real! Here’s where we’re at:

56% of our sponsorship goal! Want to help close the gap?
We’ve hit 10% of our Book Drive goal! Want to gift a book?
And, exceeded the volunteer goal. Thanks for all the support so far!

Who’s All Coming to the Party You Ask….?

Here are just a few of the Black + Brown local businesses (vendors) pulling up on the block this year:

Now we just need YOU to pull up + bring your folks! RSVP Here

📖 Currently Reading:

💖 Can’t Resist Her
Black love, second chances, and serious chemistry. Need I say more?

💜 In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens
Still buddy reading this one! The wisdom here? Unmatched. Literally.

Want to buddy read either of these? Hit our DM on IG or reply and let’s chat.

📚 A Quick Review: Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark

This novella packs a punch. Set in an alternate 1920s Georgia, it turns the KKK into literal monsters — and arms a badass Black resistance (mostly women— which makes it even more badass to me) with swords, spells, and shout songs. It’s Afrofuturism meets horror with heart. If you’ve ever needed proof that short fiction can be potent and political, this is it. And, it absolutely has some Sinners vibes to it.