It's been a tough week for the Philly arts community, and particularly book lovers, with the sudden firing of the Free Library's Author Events staff, and confusion over the fate of this popular library program. We're keeping an eye on this, as well events on Broad Street with the shocking announcement that UArts will close on June 7.
We're hearing from many people in the BSR network and will bring you more about this in the coming weeks. Today, check out a perspective from an international student who found a second home in Philly because of UArts. Our city will not be the same without these connections.
Today is your last chance to grab a seat at our Book Week publishing panel, featuring bestselling author Xio Axelrod, literary agent and award-winning author Eric Smith, Lanternfish Press editorial director Christine Neulieb, Quirk Books editor Jess Zimmerman, and attorney Gabrielle Sellei. It's happening tonight (June 6) at 6:30pm ET on Zoom. (If you can't attend live, that's ok--register and you will receive a recording.) We're looking forward to the Q&A! Hope you can join us.
As always, Friends of BSR attend free! If you haven't gotten your free ticket, email us and we'll set you right up.
To round out Book Week, we've got books by BSR writers, and top book recommendations from yours truly to take into the second half of 2024. Thanks for celebrating books with us!
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
