A Novel Concept

Excuse us while we emerge (fashionably) late to the week in the post-IBD comedown. It’s for good reason — we have been positively REELING from the love y’all brought to this year’s Independent Bookstore Day celebration. From Friday’s teen open mic hosted by Alexx Lynette to witnessing two humans in love literally get ENGAGED in the shop on Saturday, this weekend was a whirlwind of beautiful conversation, book finds, and human connection points. Thank you from the bottom of our bookish hearts to Lansing’s exceptionally lovable community — we are so grateful to be here with you.

Spend your Friday night with the coolest people you know: teenagers. We are kicking off Indie Bookstore weekend with a special event on Friday, April 25, to celebrate the creative work of our Lansing youth! Join A Novel Concept and everyone's favorite English teacher, Miss D Alexx Lynette, as we host an open mic prioritizing teen voices. First slots for open mic sign-up will be reserved for 13-19-year-olds, while teens-at-heart will have to stay up past their bedtime to claim the closing open mic slots. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., readings begin at 6:30. Sign ups will be available first-come, first-serve at the ANC checkout counter. No required theme, and open to all genres, styles, and levels of experience!

Join us for a hoppin’ good time at our Kids’ Story Time this Saturday, April 4, at 11:30 a.m.!

Our family friendly event will take place on the hippity hoppity heels of the Capitol lawn’s Easter egg hunt at 10–11 a.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to spring over if you’re participating in the Downtown Egg-Stravaganza.

Enjoy timeless tales, creative crafts, and a welcoming space for our Lil’ Lanstronauts. Plus, coffee and hot cocoa will be available courtesy of 517 Coffee Co. We’re eggcited to see everybunny there!

Join us at A Novel Concept on Friday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. for a stimulating author reading and discussion on Christine Carmichael’s recent book “Racist Roots: How Racism Has Affected Trees and People in Our Cities — and What We Can Do About It.” Carmichael will be joined by Urban Forestry Associate Professor Asia Dowtin in conversation about the link between our nation’s history of racism and its effect on the green spaces within our cities countrywide and what environmental justice looks like in tending to these spaces.

Come find out how we can contribute to creating a fairer future for urban forests and the communities that live among and around them 🪾