BOROUGHWIDE — FOR ONE WEEK, bookstores throughout the borough participated in the annual Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl, celebrating with an afterparty at The Center for Fiction on Saturday, April 25.
Readers could claim a “passport” at any of the participating bookstores and present it at each shop they visited for a stamp. At the end of the week, The Center for Fiction hosted an afterparty with raffle entries for each stamp in a passport, specialty cocktails and more.
“The vibe was energetic, delightfully chaotic and warm — you couldn’t ask for a better crowd than a group of book lovers,” said Center for Fiction Senior Director of Public Programs Melanie McNair. “What might sum it up best is a lovely exchange I had with an attendee following the prize raffle. When I asked if she had won anything, she said, ‘No, but I loved it anyway. It felt so good just to be here with everyone else.’”
With more than 30 bookstores from every corner of the borough participating, the initiative offered an engaging challenge for local readers leading up to Independent Bookstore Day, the last Saturday of each April.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
