Flintridge Bookstore celebrates Independent Bookstore Day with special events including author appearances, artist displays, book drawings, giveaways, and other activities for all ages. This day of recognition was established in 2013 to promote and highlight the value of the independent bookstore community. It is organized by the American Booksellers Association, a national non-profit that works with booksellers to ensure their success. Hundreds of stores across the country are participating in the celebration this year.
Here’s our schedule for the day:
Author Appearances
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Children’s Book Activities
JUDY CAMPBELL-SMITH: Ice Cream Everywhere – Everyone eats ice cream! And while some spoon up sundaes and some savor Syrian bouza, no matter where you live in the world, ice cream is always joy! (ages 6-9)
Judy writes books that spark curiosity & celebrate diversity. She lives in southern California.
ANN SUK WANG: The House Before Falling into the Sea – A child and her family take in refugees during the Korean War. This story is about how showing kindness in the darkest of times is a gift we’ll never regret. (ages 6-9) JOIN HER IN A UKELELE SING ALONG!
Born in Korea, Ann has degrees in mass communications from Boston University and UCLA. A former journalist, she lives in Pasadena with her husband, two sons, and a canine son.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Meet & Greets
NEAL ENGSTROM: Your Lifepath: How to Make Each Stage of Your Life Exceptional – This “manual” for personal fulfillment explores how greats such as Giorgio Armani, Beyonce Knowles, Tom Brady, Coco Chanel, Jane Goodall, Jay-Z Carter, and many others, have successfully lived life on their own terms.
Neal is a Harvard graduate and Stanford MBA. He was a flight instructor and skydive jump pilot prior to founding the investment firm Engstrom Realty Fund. He lives in southern California with his wife of 27 years, Giselle, with whom he has raised three children.
NORMA SAKEN: May I Have Seconds Please: Personal Memoir and Cookbook Celebrating the Art of the Pivot – A series of circumstances led Saken to earn her living cooking and entertaining. Recipes included in the book come from her mother-in-law, her catering days, her Bed and Breakfast Pine View House; and the years she spent working for her favorite CEO.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Norma currently lives in Palm Desert with her fur baby, Spanky.
Local Artist Displays
11:00 AM-3:00 PM
ANN CUTTING: Ceramics – Porcelain and stoneware mugs, bowls and wind chimes.
Ann’s ceramics are primarily wheel thrown, many incorporating transfer techniques and decals. She earned her BA in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at UCSD and a BFA in Photography at Art Center College of Design. She lives in southern California.
VAL ECHAVARRIA: Handmade Goods for the Body and Home – Hand-painted leather, crocheted and woven accessories and home goods.
Val has many years of experience as a visual artist and graphic designer. Influenced by this background, she has created a collection of handmade functional items. She lives in Pasadena with her four dogs and her cat.
Independent Bookstore Day is a wonderful way for the community to come out and show their support of these vital brick-and-mortar businesses, but it also gives bookstores the opportunity to give back by providing an exciting day of programming and festivities for all ages.
Flintridge Bookstore is an independent, family-owned bookstore that has served the La Cañada Flintridge community since 2007. Our shelves offer a wide variety of books, as well as gifts, toys, stationery, and greeting cards. We carry core literature for the La Cañada Unified School District, so students and parents can swing by for their classroom requirements. We also have a full schedule of events, including author appearances and book clubs, and we offer self-publishing services through our off-site Espresso Book Machine.
Also check out other Arts events in La Canada Flintridge, Literary Art events in La Canada Flintridge.
