January starts stormy and ends in cake

Dear Readers, 

Reflecting on last year, it is clear that we are all in need of a hug. 

The bestselling books at Black Bird in 2022 all shared a theme: our mental well being. We sold many self-help books providing much guidance through storytelling, meditation, journaling, connecting and even cold plunges in icy waters. 

But this theme also spilled over into nearly every other genre: as the narrative backbone in novels, in the soul searching of our politics, in the picture books for children, and, of course, in poetry. Even the cookbooks - no matter the ingredients, style or culture - wanted to make us all a bowl of home cooked comfort.

And understandably. 

We have collectively faced our own mortality these past few years and are awakening to the mortality of our species on the planet. 

Books are the maps we travel to our souls. And for many of us this past year, there was much traveling. 

I encourage you as the waters run around us today to take a moment and do something kind for yourself, and also for a person nearby.

Kathryn

January Events

Poetry + Prose Open Mic Night

Friday January 13th @ 7pm

"Poetry always remembers that it was an oral art before it was a written art. It remembers that it was first song."

— Jorge Luis Borges

Let's Welcome Temi Adamolekun to Storytime

Saturday January 21 @ 9:30am

We are thrilled to host Temi for a reading from her new book 'Your Special Voice'. She is an SF-based writer on topics of anti-racist parenting and the importance of Black protoganists in children's books. Come join the reading and conversation. 

free and open to all // rain or shine

Lunar New Year 

Tea + Cake

Saturday January 28th, 3pm

Song Tea and Sesame a tiny bakery will be joining us for to celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday January 28th with a tea and cake pop-up 3 - 5pm in the garden (or inside if raining).

More details as the date nears but please mark your calendars!