The Tiniest Bookshop to host Boozy Book Fair at Moodright’s

If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent your adult life chasing the joy that surged through your body during a Scholastic Book Fair. There was always something interesting tucked into those brightly colored displays, something that would change your life forever (or at least until you found another book to devour). And discovering scented highlighters, friendship bracelet kits and shiny posters you begged your mom to buy for you? There was nothing like it, and the adult world doesn’t seem to have a match.

At least, not until The Tiniest Bookshop’s Boozy Book Fair. Coming to Savannah on Nov. 16, this exciting new event is courtesy of someone who understands the rush a book fair can bring.

“The Scholastic Book Fair was one of my favorite things to look forward to every year in school. The joy of having an event centered on books, discovering new reads and even getting some smelly-good erasers was just incredible,” The Tiniest Bookshop owner Kaitlynn Perry said. “That yearning for nostalgia combined with ‘why not?’ made me start thinking about holding a book fair for adults. Combine that with the fact that we can drink now, why not a ‘boozy’ book fair to add to the fun!?”

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Small spaces with big book payoffs

A lifelong story lover, Perry opened The Book Bus in 2022. Seeing the success of this unique space, they decided to branch out into an additional, more permanent location. Thanks to help from the local community, The Tiniest Bookshop opened its doors in August. Since then, the queer- and disabled-owned and -operated business has packed a lot of love for books and the community into just 150 square feet on River Street.

“I want our locations to give back as much to the community as we possibly can manage. Creating this business has helped me be able to accommodate my disabilities in the ways I need while still working and providing for my community,” Perry said.

When starting The Tiniest Bookshop, Perry decided to throw out old business models and shape their business to fit Savannah’s unique community. The resulting shop is a cozy little safe place offering a variety of books and free harm-reduction resources. As the Boozy Book Fair approaches, that sense of community will expand into Moodright’s Bar for a night of bookish fun.

Boozy Book Fair attendees can pick from a wide variety of books, ranging from old favorites to that one book that’s been on your TBR pile for far too long. Not sure what to read first? Try a blind date book, a title covered with paper to hide all but a few details about the story. It might be a great exercise in refraining from judging a book by its cover. You might even find a new beloved story or discover genres you normally wouldn’t give a second glance.

On top of a wide selection of books, visitors can browse for bookish gifts like book purses, totes, pins and stickers. For those who like to take notes about their favorite reads, you can also pick up a new journal or some fun pencils and erasers. There might even be a few scratch-and-sniff bookmarks in the mix because, let’s face it, it’s not a book fair without a few nostalgic doodads.

Once your purchases are complete, it’s time to jump into the event’s adulthood twist with Moodright’s offer of $1 off the price of well drinks with a Boozy Book Fair purchase. From sensational stories to delightful drinks, the Boozy Book Fair covers all the nostalgic bases and some more mature ones. But these pieces didn’t fall into place by pure chance.

“I literally spend all my time thinking about the store,” Perry said. “I am not kidding. Sometimes I lie in bed at 4 a.m. and have a eureka moment and open my notes app.”

Tybee Island bookshop planned

Those eureka moments created The Book Bus and The Tiniest Bookshop, and they haven’t stopped there. Seeing Tybee Island’s need for a bookstore, Perry set out to provide beachgoers with an independent store for their summer reading needs. Thanks to their keen eye for creative solutions and dedication to the community, Tybee Island will get its own reading destination when Beach Read Bookshop opens later this year.

In a world dominated by online shopping and mega-chains, independent bookstores like The Tiniest Bookshop are necessary reminders of the broader impact of storytelling. While it might feel easier to buy your books and bookish gifts online, shopping locally supports the community economically, culturally and socially.

“For every $100 you spend in an indie bookstore, $52 of that stays in the community. This is compared to $13 for Barnes & Noble-type places and $0 for solely e-commerce conglomerates like Amazon,” Perry said. “That $52 staying, for us, means we can offer author signings, personalized recommendations, free harm reduction and emergency contraceptives, fundraisers, midnight releases, community spaces, mutual aid and events like the Boozy Book Fair.”

Those future events might be the foundation of a crucial connection, just like the Scholastic Book Fairs that helped many readers fall in love with stories. Now—did we get tricked into reading as kids? In a lot of cases, probably. But has it served us as adults? Absolutely, because it gave us the gift of compassion and understanding.

“Books give us an insight into experiences that we haven’t had ourselves. It can help us understand communities, individuals, trauma and love that we haven’t had directly,” Perry said. “This, overall, makes us kinder, more empathetic human beings and global citizens.”

With these benefits and more, the Boozy Book Fair offers a unique, impactful trip down memory lane with a few new twists. So, let’s raise a toast to a night of nostalgic fun and years of mutual support to come.

If You Go >>

What: The Tiniest Bookshop’s Boozy Book Fair

When: 5-9 p.m., Nov. 16

Where: Moodright’s Bar, 2424 Abercorn St.

Info: $1 off well drinks with every book purchase, instagram.com/p/CyoYlEbgjM4/

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The Tiniest Bookshop hosts Boozy Book Fair at Moodrights Nov 16