Valentine’s Day can be divisive. Some like to celebrate it with their partners, some with their friends, and some don’t like to celebrate it at all. But if you or someone special in your life loves books, it might be a great time to visit your local bookstore.
Independent bookstores across the city will host creative events leading up to and on Valentine’s Day — or even afterwards, if you’re planning to show your Eagles love this Friday! No matter how you celebrate, these events are a great way to support independent bookstores, which curate excellent selections and foster a network of knowledge and stories in Philly.
Billy Penn called several of them so you don’t have to (we know it can be hard!). Here’s what we found out.
An Anniversary of Community Love – West Philly
This Valentine’s Day marks the fifth anniversary of Making Worlds, an independent bookstore and social center. “The world that we were in on Valentine’s Day 2020, when we opened our doors for the very first time, was quite a different world,” said Malav Kanuga, a founding cooperative member, “In some ways, a lot’s changed, and in other ways, it’s all been a bit of verification that the ideas that we open the bookstore with are needed even more than ever.”
Cooperation, community and inspiration are some of the bookstore’s principles. To celebrate five years of work, they are hosting the Rebel Hearts Make Worlds Party on Friday. “Valentine’s Day is a good day to look around and understand, not only the forms of intimate and perhaps partner or private love,” Kanuga said, “but also the other filial and familial forms of love that we depend on to live dignified and good lives — our friendships, our communities, our families, our chosen families.”
The celebration will feature music by DJ Oluwafemi and treats from West Philly’s International House. And who is invited? “Anyone in search of a good book, good conversation, meaningful community, and in search of a better world,” Kanuga said.
When: Friday, February 14, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 210 S 45th St.
How much: Free — $25 suggested donation. Registration is encouraged.
More info: makingworldsbooks.org or @makingworldsbooks
A Hot Date – Society Hill / Queen Village
Head House Books is hosting Hot Date with a Book: An Evening of Love & Literature, a creative twist on the traditional reading event. “The night starts with people perusing a curated selection of books,” said Sarah Adler, bookseller and events coordinator. “We have classic love stories … Then we have some more contemporary ones, a lot of contemporary queer love stories. And then we have a lot of nonfiction collections on sex and sexuality.”
There will be treats from Majdal Bakery, serving Middle Eastern goods, and then a panel discussion between Rebecca L. Davis, author of Fierce Desires: A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America, and Dr. Timaree, a Philadelphia-based sexologist, podcast host and burlesque coach. The evening will wrap up with a few rounds of Sex Ed Quizzo, designed “to see how much your high school sex ed teacher failed you,” as the event invitation puts it.
Anyone who loves reading is welcome, “But even if you don’t love reading, but want to learn a little bit more about the current state of sex and sexuality in America, past and present,” Adler said. “This is one of our first events that we’re trying out, so I’m hoping we can keep having some events like this.”
When: Friday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 619 South 2nd St.
How much: $30
More info: headhousebooks.com or @headhousebooks
Retro Romance – Rittenhouse Square
Has it been ages since you made a cassette mixtape for a crush? Or have you only heard of cassettes, but never held one? Maybe you’re looking to learn a new skill? Iffy Books has the perfect workshops for you.
One option is a soldering class, where participants can create a heart-shaped electronic board. “Folks can make a little heart-shaped electronic board with LEDs that flashes and you can adjust the speed,” said Steve McLaughlin, owner and manager of Iffy Books. Sessions are available for all skill levels, and attendees can choose to participate in one or multiple classes depending on their prior soldering experience. “Probably about half of the people who have done it so far were complete … It’s a fun little project and a good skill to learn and practice.”
The bookstore will also host cassette mixtape sessions. “We have tape recorders that have a Bluetooth input, just like a Bluetooth speaker. You can make a mixtape on your phone or your computer and just record it onto a cassette tape. It makes a nice kind of fun retro gift for your romantic partner or your friend,” McLaughlin said. “A lot of the people who come in have never touched a cassette tape before or used one, so it’s fun to show people how to do it.”
When:
Soldering Practice: LED Heart Board – Multiple dates
Cassette Mixtape Sessions – Multiple dates
Where: 404 S. 20th St.
How much: $5–$15 suggested donation
More info: iffybooks.net or @iffybooks
Tarot and blind dates – East Passyunk
A Novel Idea, a community-minded bookstore and event space, is celebrating love in two special ways.
Starting Wednesday, customers can purchase a blind date with a book at the store. “We take books from around the shop. We decorate paper and write clues, and we wrap them. They’re mystery books of all genres and it’s a fun gift for loved ones because you never know what it is,” said co-owner Alex Schneider. “And they are discounted as well. So, you get a little bit of a discount for the mystery.”
Also, on Sunday, Feb. 23, the bookstore will host a tarot salon. “We’ll explore the tarot cards about love and relationships. We’ll dive into romantic vibes of the Lovers, the partnership of the two of Cups, the heartbreak of the three of Swords and more,” said Schneider.
When:
Blind date with a book – Wednesday, Feb. 12, until stock runs out
Tarot salon – Sunday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Where: 1726 E. Passyunk Ave.
How much: Tarot salon, $15.75
More info: anovelideaphilly.com or @anovelideaphilly
And More Special Sales
The Book Trader, a secondhand bookstore in Old City, is offering 20% off books — but only on Friday!
When: Friday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 7 N. 2nd St.
More info: phillybooktrader.com or @phillybooktrader
Uncle Bobbie’s, the independent and Black-owned coffee shop and bookstore in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, is also hosting a blind date with a book. These titles will be 15% off on Friday.
When: Friday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 5445 Germantown Ave.
More info: unclebobbies.com or @unclebobbies
