January 13, 2026

Dear Gentle Reader,

Much to cover, so we are just jumping in!  Concerning your instore experience, much happened during our inventory break. 2026 Calendars are on sale 50% off. We refreshed the staff recs display with some different titles. And, in honor of Science Fiction Month-- we have a new display highlighting some great books in this section.

CrimeScene tickets are selling quickly, and we fully expect to sellout shortly. If you want to attend,buy your tickets now!

We also have tickets availablefor a great buffet luncheon and book launch on Friday, February 13th at 11:30am. Anita “Spring” Councilwill discuss her cookbook, Southern Roots: Recipes and Stories from Mama Dip's Daughter, with iconic food historianMarcie Cohen Ferris. If you have been missing your Southern food fix since Mama Dip's closed in Chapel Hill, here's your chance to find what you've been missing. Tickets are $125, include buffet luncheon, wine, tax, gratuity, and a signed copy of Southern Roots.

This Saturday, January 17th, we have a double header. At 11am, Tami Schwerin leads a group of contributors as they discuss Death Faire, a book inspired by the annual get together and the death positivity movement, focusing on knowledge, wisdom, celebration, and remembrance. Then at 2pm, Con Lehanewill discuss his atmospheric The Red Scare Murderswith Eryk Pruitt. The Red Scare Murdersis a delight of a read, deep diving into 1950s New York, labor and communism. Keebe really enjoyed it and is looking forward to what promises to be a great conversation! Pete is calling this a CrimeScene Preview…

Next weekend, we welcome the North Carolina Poetry Societywho will kick off their 2026 series of readings on Sunday, January 26that 2pm with Jay Bryan, DahanuAhanu, and Morrow Dowdle.

Then we finish off the month with a special event with Sylvester Allen Jr. and Belle Boggsfor their book, The Legend of Wyatt Outlaw: From Reconstruction to Black Lives Matter.Wyatt Outlaw’s story was one of Black success. He was a Union League leader, business owner, and the first Black town constable and commissioner in Graham, a small town located in North Carolina’s Alamance County. But in 1870, Outlaw was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan, setting off a dramatic series of events: more lynchings, a Republican-led “war” against the Klan, and a white supremacist crackdown on Black political power that continues today. The authors will discuss their book with Mike Wiley, beloved and acclaimed actor and playwright.

The Usual Suspects,

Pete, Johanna, Sarah G., Tyler, Amy, Juliana, Sarah C. and Keebe