We’re kicking off this gorgeous Sunday with something truly special—a salon-style afternoon with acclaimed author Julia Elliott, celebrating her haunting and unforgettable story collection, Hellions. Join us today, Sunday, May 18th, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., for a free signing at 3, followed by a salon-styled chat beginning at 4 and featuring wine, charcuterie, and intimate discussion with the author herself.
And that’s just the beginning… Below you’ll see plenty of upcoming events, but first, let’s chat about our Summer Reading Challenge for our young readers!
Readers Are Leaders:
A Summer Reading Challenge for Our Young Readers
This summer, we’re launching into adventure with our Readers Are Leaders program. We’ll be awarding over $1,000 in gift cards, plus medals and extra prizes over three summer months of reading fun and big bragging rights!
JUNE • JULY • AUGUST
Each month the challenge will reward readers in FOUR age groups:
- Ages 4 & under
- Ages 5–8
- Ages 9–12
- Ages 13–16
Each month, the top THREE readers in each age group will win prizes:
1st Place – Our Readers Are Leaders Medal + $50 Main Street Reads Gift Card + optional spotlight in our newsletter!
2nd Place – $25 Gift Card
3rd Place – $10 Gift Card
All participants get a 5% student/teacher discount on in-store purchases. PLUS: You can pick a gift from our Readers are Leaders basket of freebies when you grab your Reader Logs. AND, we’ve curated recommended reads for each age group in-store to make browsing easy!
No purchase required to participate. You can read books from anywhere — If you’re reading, you’re leading!
We’re giving you a head-start on the program that launches in June – materials are available at the bookstore NOW! Just grab a Reader Log card and gift from Main Street Reads, log your reads, and bring the cards back by:
- June 30th for the month of June (winners announced July 6th newsletter)
- July 31st for July (winners announced August 3rd)
- August 31st for August (winners announced September 7th)
Free to join. Easy to enter. Because here at Main Street Reads, we believe every reader is already a leader.
THIS WEEK AT MAIN STREET READS:
MONDAY, MAY 19 @ 5:30 PM – Adventures in Reading: The Lost Library
Our monthly kids book club features The Lost Library, a magical mystery perfect for young readers! Open to all – and club picks are always 10% off.
MONDAY, MAY 19 @ 6:30 PM – Main Street Writes
Writers, come share your work or just soak in the inspiration. Our supportive writing group grows weekly – and the talent is nothing short of amazing.
TUESDAY, MAY 20 @ 8:00 AM – Peaceful Mornings: Quiet Reading Club
Bring your current read, sip some coffee, and enjoy the serenity of a quiet bookstore morning. RSVP required to keep things calm and cozy.
TUESDAY, MAY 20 @ 6:30 PM – Kiss & Tell Romance Club: The Never List by Jade Presley
Fantasy meets fiery romance in this month’s spicy pick. Expect laughter, great conversation, and a few swoons. As always, we’ll bring the treats.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 @ 9:30 AM – Stories on the Square
Storytime magic happens every Wednesday morning. Bring the littles and join us on the square for songs, stories, and smiles. THIS Week – meet real live ballerinas!
NEXT WEEK
MONDAY, MAY 26 (10 AM–4 PM) – Memorial Day: Let’s Honor and Remember
We’ll be OPEN on Memorial Day to remember the heroes who gave everything. Enjoy 10% off select genres (history, historical fiction, biography, and memoir), and explore our 50% off sale table all weekend long.
TUESDAY, MAY 27 @ 6:30 PM – Books & Banter Fiction Club: The Antidote by Karen Russell
We close the month with Karen Russell’s thought-provoking tale of transformation and survival. Grab your discounted copy and join us for one of our most vibrant discussions.
No matter your age or genre, there’s something for every reader at Main Street Reads. Stop by, stay awhile, and let’s celebrate stories—together.