Local author Janice Airhart talks with us about her two memoirs, Mother of My Invention: A Motherless Daughter Memoir and (newly-released) Subject to Change: Teaching and Learning from Teen Moms . Airhart also shares her favorite moments from her writing process and a message she hopes readers take away from her work. Check out her website here .

Lioness Books is highlighting the freedom to read and the dangers of censorship this August with Banned Books Month. Anne Russey, co-founder of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, talks with us about advocating against book bans and censorship, and the biggest roadblocks they face in the process. Russey also shares the inspiration for their nonprofit organization as well as their mission and values. We are running a social campaign all month long—DM us a photo of you with your favorite banned book to be featured on our socials (@lionessbookstx)! Check out our curated booklists featuring a variety of banned books on our Bookshop and Libro sites too.

In a world increasingly built on the transient, the trendy, the swift, and the disposable, rare and antiquarian books stand as testaments to permanence, intention, and the physicality of knowledge. They are not simply vessels of content, but expressions of culture; culture you can touch and preserve. At Lioness Books, our mission transcends the simple act of selling books. It is about curating experiences, assembling libraries not only of words, but of meaning. That is why we have decided to expand our collection to include antiquarian, rare, and collectible books. This is a natural progression for us, not a TikTok craze or a trend driven pivot. It is a purposeful expansion born from our core values, an evolution committed to depth and legacy. For in the world of books, trends are fleeting but legacy always endures. Let’s define our terms carefully, because this is a space where language matters. The distinctions between antiquarian, rare, and collectible books are rooted in their origins and significance. Antiquarian books, typically born before the boom of industrial printing, are historical artifacts. Printed on handmade paper and bound by artisans, they were labors of love and craft, and from an era when books were considered treasures, often housed in private collections and passed down from generation to generation. Rare books, regardless of age, are valued by their scarcity, whether due to limited printing, notable provenance, historical suppression, or singular attributes like authorial inscriptions or errata; a first edition of Galileo’s “Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems” (printed in 1632 and banned by the Inquisition), and Harriet Ann Jacobs’s slave narrative “Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl” are both perfect examples of this rarity. Collectible books, while sometimes overlapping with antiquarian and rare, are defined by their historical, cultural, or aesthetic significance. For example, a signed first edition of Dickens’s “A Tale of Two Cities” or the seminal and prosecuted poetry collection “The Love Book” by counterculture icon Lenore Kandel, are both considered collectible, along with illustrated editions, niche genres, or books with personal inscriptions. These treasures are often coveted due to their unique ability to encapsulate pivotal moments in literary history or embody the personal, artistic touch of their creators, making them cherished pieces of our cultural heritage. The allure of these books is their capacity to signify beyond their content. A rare book, such as a copy of a 19th-century abolitionist pamphlet, is a codex of resistance, its scarcity a testament to what it defied. An antiquarian book, with its marginalia or bookplate, becomes a linked-text, connecting readers across the centuries through recognized and shared engagement. Collectible books, whether valued for their aesthetic beauty or their role in literary history, are icons of cultural memory, their value amplified by the stories they carry. For the book lover, handling such volumes is a dialogue with the past that reveals the eternal power of the written word. At Lioness Books, we consider our expansion into the antiquarian, rare, and collectible book market an act of cultural stewardship, a commitment to preserving the material signs of human thought and creation. These books are not mere commodities but relics. They are legacies and testimonies which outlast trends, endure censorship, and speak to us from generations past. To engage with them is not just to read, but to remember, to feel, to understand, and to inherit. To make our collection more accessible, we have launched an eBay storefront, where the majority of our rare and antiquarian collection will be available to browse and purchase. This platform allows us to reach a broader audience (collectors, scholars, and passionate readers around the world) while ensuring each book is accurately described, carefully packaged, and treated with the care it deserves. For those who prefer the immediacy of browsing in person, we are curating a rotating in-store selection of notable works - titles chosen not only for their value or rarity but for the way they resonate with our community and the literary spirit of Lioness. In this era of doom-scrolling and self-serving algorithmic curation, we offer an alternative: intentionality. To collect a rare book is to rebel against disposability. To preserve an antiquarian volume is to guard the voices that history tried violently to silence. And to walk into a store like ours is to believe that discovery still matters, that there are still books waiting to find you, and still readers who will know what it means when they do. We at Lioness invite you to join us in this new chapter, and we encourage all collectors, readers, historians, and lovers of the written word to support small local businesses like ours, especially now. The existence of independent bookstores like Lioness depends on a community that still believes in craftsmanship, care, and the power held in objects that bear our stories, our sufferings, and our splendor. Because that’s what books are. They are not simply commodities, they are evidence. Of defiance. Of beauty. Of brilliance that refuses to disappear.

International Youth Day is held on 12 August and was created by the United Nations to honour the voices and ideas of young people. It’s a day to recognise the role youth play in building a fairer and more inclusive world. To honour the day, we’ve put together a list of 12 young adult novels that explore themes like identity, strength, friendship, and change . All of these books are available through our network of independent bookstores in the USA, so by reading them, you’re also supporting local communities. 1." The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon This story follows two teenagers from very different backgrounds who meet by chance in New York City. One is facing deportation to Jamaica, and the other is under pressure to follow a strict life plan set by his Korean American family. Over the course of one day, their connection challenges what they believe about love, fate, and the future. It’s a thoughtful look at immigration, cultural identity, and the choices young people make when their lives feel out of their control. Purchase The Sun Is Also a Star 2. "Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo Two teenage girls are living in different countries, one in New York City, the other in the Dominican Republic, when they discover they share the same father after his sudden death in a plane crash. As they process their grief, they begin to uncover long-held family secrets. This novel is written in verse and explores sisterhood, loss, and finding trust after betrayal. It highlights how young people can grow stronger when faced with painful truths and unexpected change. Purchase Clap When You Land 3. "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez After the sudden death of her older sister, a teenager tries to make sense of her family’s expectations while uncovering secrets her sister left behind. Living in a traditional Mexican American household, she struggles with grief, cultural pressure, and her own plans for the future. This novel gives an honest look at mental health, family roles, and identity. It speaks to young people who feel torn between different parts of themselves and the people they want to become. Purchase I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 4. "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins This prequel to The Hunger Games takes readers back to the 50th Hunger Games, long before Katniss Everdeen’s time. It follows a new set of characters living under the same harsh system, where survival depends on strength, strategy, and luck. The story looks closely at power, fear, and what it means to resist. It gives a voice to young people living in systems they didn’t create but must find a way to challenge. Purchase Sunrise on the Reaping 5. "Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow" by Jessica Townsend In the latest Nevermoor book, Morrigan Crow continues to explore her place in a magical world where not everyone is welcome. She faces hidden truths, powerful enemies, and new lessons about her own identity. This series shows a young girl learning to stand up for herself while also protecting others. It speaks to the importance of courage, fairness, and belonging—especially when growing up means facing things that don’t always make sense. Purchase Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow 6. "The Enchanted Greenhouse" by Sarah Beth Durst Two sisters discover a magical greenhouse that seems to respond to their emotions. As they spend time there, they learn more about themselves and the world around them. This is a gentle story about change, hope, and connection. It reminds readers that even in small, quiet moments, young people are always growing, sometimes in ways they don’t notice right away. It’s a story about healing and the value of being open to something new. Purchase The Enchanted Greenhouse 7. "We Are Not From Here" by Jenny Torres Sanchez This novel follows Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña—three teens who flee violence in Guatemala and journey north through Mexico toward the U.S. border. Their path is dangerous and uncertain, but driven by hope. Through their voices, the story shows the real struggles faced by many young migrants. It’s a powerful look at courage, friendship, and the search for safety, encouraging readers to think deeply about justice, borders, and human dignity. Purchase We Are Not From Here 8. "A Thousand Steps into Night" by Traci Chee In this fantasy tale inspired by Japanese folklore, Miuko is cursed to slowly become a demon. She leaves her quiet village to break the curse and discovers a world filled with gods, spirits, and power struggles. Along the way, she learns what it means to speak up in a world that tells her to stay quiet. The story reflects real-world questions about gender, freedom, and who gets to decide their own future. Purchase A Thousand Steps into Night 9. "Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao In a world where girls are used to power giant battle machines, a young woman takes a stand after her sister dies. She joins the system that took everything from her, but instead of following the rules, she fights to change them. This story mixes science fiction with history and challenges ideas about gender, power, and control. It’s a strong reminder that young people can question unfair systems, and rewrite them. Purchase Iron Widow 10. “The Grace Year” by Kim Liggett In Garner County, girls are sent into isolation for a year when they turn sixteen. The community believes this “grace year” removes their dangerous magic. Most don’t return the same. Tierney, the main character, begins to see how fear and control shape their lives. The story explores survival, power, and gender-based violence in a rigid society. It encourages readers to question harmful traditions and reflect on how young people are taught to follow or resist. Purchase The Grace Year 11. “The Black Flamingo” by Dean Atta This novel follows Michael, a mixed-race British teen growing up between cultures and expectations. He feels out of place until he discovers drag, a space where he can explore who he is without fear. Written in free verse, the book gently explores race, masculinity, and queer identity. Michael’s journey is about self-expression, pride, and being seen. It’s a strong example of how creative spaces can help young people define themselves on their own terms. Purchase The Black Flamingo 12. "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson Jade is a thoughtful and driven African American teen who lives in a low-income neighbourhood but attends a mostly white private school on a scholarship. She’s proud of her abilities, especially in art, but often feels that adults focus more on “fixing” her than listening to her. When she’s placed in a mentorship programme, she begins to speak out about inequality in her school and community. The story explores race, privilege, and what real support looks like. Purchase Piecing Me Together Ready to Read, Reflect, and Support Local? Each of these stories offers a window into the lives, challenges, and voices of young people today. Whether you’re reading for yourself, your classroom, or your community, we believe these books invite powerful conversations about identity, justice, and belonging, and empower the next generation to lead with empathy and courage. You can find many of these titles right here at Lioness Books . We're a proudly independent, community-focused bookshop based in Texas. And we're thrilled to be opening our first permanent location in Old Town Leander , bringing even more books, events, and literacy resources to local readers. Visit our homepage to browse, shop, or see where our mobile bookshop is headed next. We’d love to see you there.

July is Disability Pride Month and commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lioness Books is celebrating this month by featuring authors with disabilities, amplifying their voices, and highlighting literature that focuses on self-representation, reclamation, inclusion, and history. Here are some authors with disabilities and literature to engage with this month and beyond:

Lioness Books is welcoming the sunshine this July and celebrating summer reading! Incorporating reading and promoting literacy over the summer holiday is not only important, but should be fun and relaxing! Therefore, we created a summer reading bingo game for everyone to enjoy. Check out our summer reads July booklist here , and challenge your friends and/or family to see who can get a bingo first! Happy summer reading! 

Book Review by B. Rushton In mid-twentieth century America, the publishing industry was revolutionized by the streamlined production of pulp novels. The printing and distribution of cheaply produced and cheaply priced paperback novels, which had begun in the late 1930s, steadily grew until it reached its full force in the early 1950s. These books were sold at drugstores, newsstands, and other places where one might purchase inexpensive, consumable entertainment. They were compact enough to fit in your pocket and cheap enough to discard when you were through with them which, given the surreptitious nature of purchasing these books, was sometimes a necessity. It was in this environment that the burge oning golden age of lesbian pulp novels took place, where new, independent publishers made transgressive fantasies of lesbian life available to readers through dime-store shelves or discreet mail-order catalogues. While many of these titillating books were aimed at an audience of curious heterosexual men, it was also through these clandestine entertainments that many lesbians found the maps and signposts for entering the half-hidden world of their own sexualities. The transportive power of reading these books gave reflection to the hidden desires of readers that often could find no expression beyond the wood-pulp pages of their imaginations. Even well into the women's liberation movement, pulp novels like these were like life-preservers for lesbians seeking community.

Photos by: John Miller Bookstores belong to the community. Lioness Books embraces this philosophy and is opening a new independent bookstore! We recently opened the doors of our new brick and mortar for a Vision Night to gather feedback from local authors, artists, community leaders, and key stakeholders about what people want to see in their local bookstore. The idea for the night was to give people the chance to walk through the store before it is renovated, gather ideas and hopes for what the store can become, and foster connection and collaboration between local authors, artists, businesses, and creatives.

Co-founders of Local Queer ATX , Caleb Armstrong (he/they) and Chase Brunson (he/him), share the inspiration behind their organization and tell us about their non-profit, Pride Month events, and monthly book club called The Local Queer Book Club. AS: Can you start by introducing yourselves and telling us about your backgrounds? CA & CB: “We’re Caleb Armstrong (he/they) and Chase Brunson (he/him), co-founders of Local Queer! We’ve been organizing queer community events since we met at Texas A&M in 2013. While at A&M, we founded Transcend, the university’s first recognized organization dedicated to transgender and gender expansive students and faculty. We also lobbied to have Texas A&M pay for the queer community to walk in the 2017 Houston Pride Parade—pretty exciting for a campus consistently ranked in the top 10 least LGBT friendly universities. So, when people ask us how we manage Local Queer we simply tell them it’s what we’ve always done! It also helps that outside of Local Queer, we are both event industry professionals operating in the nonprofit space. We have working experience planning galas, fundraisers, conferences, seminars, and other events which you can see reflected into everything we do for Local Queer.”