Since our last roundup, literary Texas has been doing even more celebrating, relocating, and supporting of their communities.

AUSTIN 

Alienated Majesty Books held their soft opening on 8/15/23 Austin. A bookstore and community space, they specialize in small press poetry, fiction, and works in translation. They are located at 613 West 29th Street. 

First Light Bookshop and Café, located at 4300 Speedway, opened on August 19. The bookstore offers a wide selection for all readers and a strong emphasis on its community programming slate. First Light offers an annual membership program called First Light Years. Members receive free drip coffee daily, 20% off book purchases, free delivery within a 5-mile radius, and invitations to some select members-only programming. 

The Bat Mobile, run by Austin Bat Cave, began its life providing creative writing programs to students in the greater Austin area. Lone Star Literary Life recently learned that, since the pandemic, it has found new life as a bookmobile. Organizer Leticia Urieta focuses on making sure students have access to books threatened (or gone from shelves altogether) due to the uptick in book ban struggles in school and public libraries.  

DENTON 

Recycled Books & Records celebrated their 40th anniversary with a weekend-long party on July 28-30th. 

HOUSTON 

The Book Cycle, Inc. reopened on 8/17 after taking a break for the summer. They resumed summer hours: Thursdays 9-1 and 1st + 3rd Saturdays from 9-1.  

LUBBOCK 

Wild Lark Books announced that, while the bookstore and tea cart will remain the same, they are reopening as a nonprofit that will work to support their Young Writers Program, attract lecturers, support local artists, host touring authors, and create + host a national storytelling conference in Lubbock.  UPDATE: On 8/28/23, Wild Lark Books announced on their Facebook page: "The funding goals were not able to be secured to keep the bookshop open, so we're sad to say that the bookstore will not be able to reopen in September. We'll be liquidating the bookshop this week, so come on by to stock up your TBR for the coming cozy, autumn season! As for the Wild Lark Books Fund nonprofit organization, we're not going anywhere!"

PFLUGERVILLE 

The Book Burrow officially opened in its new home at 401 W. Pecan St., Suite G. After losing their original space on very short notice, a GoFundMe campaign combined with an outpouring of community support helped them raise the needed funds and provided help for moving into the new space. A grand opening celebration is planned for August 26. 

TEMPLE 

The Friends of the Temple Public Library donated $83,000 to the City of Temple for the new bookmobile library to help the library connect to community members at pop-ups, schools, daycare centers, senior centers, and other partner events. 

WACO 

Fabled Bookshop & Café will celebrate their 4th anniversary on August 25-26 with a weekend full of giveaways, new merchandise, themed drinks, special events, and a Winnie the Pooh theme.