Little Bus Books

November 30, 2024: I'm not a big shopper. Re-purposer (which is most certainly not a word) best describes most of my "purchases" - except during the holiday season. I am notorious for giving the gift you didn't ask for. If you want something special it would be best not to tell me, as that will surely strike it off my list of items to be considered.

Books are the best surprise gifts. It is certainly joyful to receive a read that you have been eyeing for a while, but have not found the time or place to make your move. However, to me, there is nothing better than opening your stocking to find a book that someone "found" just for you. Whether you love the content of the gift or not - the real gift is the time, effort, insight......community.

This holiday season if you are looking for a place to build or provide community - below are a few starting points. 

Rose Dynasty Foundation Library Wishlist

Hope House Literacy Landing

2024 Indie Gift Guide

#1 Pick for December - Indie Next

September 23, 2024: The Vision of Little Bus Books is to be a "Catalyst to community collaborations". A catalyst does not sit around waiting for something to happen, a catalyst "rides" out to actively engage.

September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Prior to starting this business, our cultural emersion boundary was limited to our culinary experiences. While Purto Rican seafood paella has held the grand champion meal title, dinning experiences aren't exactly collaborations. Little Bus Books has given us the opportunity to build community through our customers, community partnerships and volunteers.

Many of the Spanish language titles you will find in the Little Bus have, in some way, been curated with the support of our Latine community. While mighty in collaboration, our Spanish selection is limited in size. In other words, we have great content, but not a lot of space to dedicate. This is where Bookshop.org has stepped up once again.

From now until October 15th, use the Code LHM24 at check out to receive 15% off select titles. Don't know where to start? As always, we have recommendations...

Defectors by Paolo Ramos

Solito by Javier Zamora

Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

August 19, 2024: Pro-Tip #4. If you find a book you really like, fully explore the author of that book to find your next epic read. Diversity and space management are primary focal points in the Little Bus, so I like this tip for Bookshop.org. You need an expansive book selection to apply this tip well. So, what do I mean by "explore"?

1. For sure, look toward other books your author has written.....but don't stop there......

2. What books, foods, cultures, time periods, people, and places are referenced by your author?

3. Is there an auto-biography or biography written about your author?

I have been an Anthony Bourdain fan since his early Food Network days. I was deeply saddened by his passing a few years ago, but found joy in exploring his legacy this summer with The Definitive Oral Biography and some of his first published fiction novels; Bone In Throat and Gone Bamboo.

Your last great read is the North Star to your next great treasure. 

July 14, 2024: Look Am*zon is what it is. I'm not going to sit here and tell you I don't buy products, or watch, or listen to any of their content (dang Jack Ryan series). What I am asking you to consider is how to make small businesses fit within your buying habits. Indie bookstores are the gold standard in bookselling, providing a personal conduit between you and your next reading experience. For us at Little Bus Books, our small, curated selection offers "The book you didn't know you needed." 

The reality is, Little Bus Books is a small family business that does not offer as much value through pricing and convenience as bigger businesses do. So how do we offset that? The answer: We hold hands with other small businesses in our "community".

In our physically local community, when you are in our store, you will learn who in town offers the best lunch menu, where the most generous kombucha pours are, or maybe what car wash lets you use the vacuum for free.

In our digital community, we partner with Bookshop.org - another small business providing a service they believe will make this place we call life a little better. Through Bookshop we can offer shopping convenience, competitive pricing, discounted shipping (LBB Passenger Program, [email protected]) and "timely" promotions.

This week, make the choice to shop "local". Monday July 15th 12am EST - Wednesday July 17th 11:59pm get free shipping and a free Bookshop tote with your $100 Purchase from Bookshop.org. If there's a book or two you want, but need some help getting to $100 - check out some of our recommendations or wishlists highlighted below and some of the Best Sellers listed above.

We thank you for your support.

July 3, 2024:  Do you remember participating in the local library summer reading children's program?  The one where you visited the library each week to load up on books to read and add to your paper log in order to win prizes. Well, prepare yourself for the adult version from Bookshop.org....The one where you could win $50 worth of your choice books or a travel getaway! Also, the one where you can register as an individual or family (because the more you read, the more changes you have to win prizes.) Go to bit.ly/summerreadingchallenge2024 to sign-up and be sure to check out our newest book lists to find new reads to add to your book challenge log! 

June 10, 2024: Pro-Tip #3. Let someone else buy you a book. One of the coolest features of Bookshop is the ability to create a Wishlist, allowing people that love you to invest in your quest for enlightenment through reading....or a quick way to source a last minute birthday present...whatever....

Make a list - Send a link - Get a book - Fund a Little Bus Books non-profit initiative

Don't forget to ask us about our Passenger Program where you get 20% off all Bookshop.org purchases. [email protected]

About Your Bookstore...Little Bus Books is a family-owned mobile community bookshop located in Lakeland, Florida. We sell new and used young adult through adult reads. Our mission is to provide a mobile service to the surrounding community, offering curated book selections based on broadening cultural perspectives through customers existing interests. Along with our mobile bookshop on wheels, we have additional shopping opportunities to shop at our storefront location.