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\n\u201cHe who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it”.
\n\u2014Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\nDear Readers,<\/p>\n
Welcome to Black History Month at Book Beat, a time for learning and honoring the pioneers, dreamers, doers, and thinkers who came before us and who helped make this nation fulfill its dream and become truly great. Black History Month is a time for reflection, building bridges and coming together. Theodore Parker, A 19th-century radical abolitionist and Unitarian minister, said in his 1853 sermon ‘Of Justice and the Conscience’: “I do not pretend to understand the moral universe. The arc is a long one. My eye reaches but little ways… But from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice.” Words that inspired Martin Luther King Jr.,in speeches and deeds and a great sentiment of hope for the future.<\/p>\n
In moments of uncertainty, silence and disengagement are not neutral acts. Bookstores matter precisely because they are safe, welcoming community spaces\u2014places to learn, ask questions, share ideas, and better understand what is happening around us. Through books, art, and conversation, we gather not just to observe the world, but to engage with it thoughtfully and humanely. Thank you for continuing to make Book Beat a place where ideas are shared and voices are heard.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Haidt author of The Anxious Generation <\/em>recently put together The Amazing Generation<\/em> a handbook for living a happy and exciting life that isn\u2019t hijacked by a smartphone, aimed at young adults and tweens. An interesting quote in the book from the first president of Face Book spells out the sinister nature of apps that were purposely designed to \u201cconsume as much of your time and attention as possible\u201d\u2014 this \u201caddictive-by-design\u201d approach was made to hook people addiction is their focus. The creators and designers of these products will not allow their own children to use them because they are aware of the dangers in the design. Here\u2019s a passage from the book:<\/p>\n
When Facebook was getting going, I had these people who came up to me and they would say, “I’m not on social media…. I value my real-life interactions, I value the moment, 1 value presence, I value intimacy.” And I would say “We’ll get you eventually.”
\n\u2014Sean Parker, first president of Facebook<\/p>\nSoon, young people were rushing to get smartphones and download apps, especially social media apps, and were spending hours every day using them. This left them with a lot less time for the things kids used to do (and that scientists know are really important) like playing together in person, spending time outside, exercising, and sleeping.<\/strong><\/p>\n
I would also add reading books to the list.;)<\/p>\n
Another recent book on Big Tech: Enshittification<\/em> by Cory Doctorow explains the betrayal of technology into dominating platforms that at one time provided helpful free services that once seemed harmless and are now \u201cfrustrating, demoralizing and even terrifying.\u201d It\u2019s a fascinating book that helps explain how things got from good to bad and worse entering the state of surveillance and extraction now surrounding us.<\/p>\n
Doctorow presents the history and pathology of four case studies; Facebook, Amazon, iPhone, and Twitter. The cure he provides near the end is based on the model set by the European Union who are \u201cmore willing to take on Big Tech than the United States is.\u201d The good news is a cure is possible<\/strong> and can happen by political pressure to change the system propping up Big Tech, or by no longer supporting it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d Love to Change the World but I Don\u2019t Know What to Do\u201d <\/strong>is a famous song written by Alvin Lee<\/a> and performed by Ten Years After on their album A Space in Time<\/em>. The apathetic sentiment of the song has held up with relevance to our current struggles and problems. Apathy is no good. We must choose kindness and compassion to make change happen.<\/p>\n
The ALA book awards <\/strong>were announced earlier this month. Congratulations to all the winning authors and illustrators! The awards are given out yearly by the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) for the best published books for children and young adults. Here’s a complete listing of the 2026 Youth Media Awards<\/a><\/strong>. Many of the winning books are in stock now or ordered awaiting reprints. Stop by soon or let us know if you’re interested in any specific title(s).<\/p>\n
Thank you for your continued support of our bookstore and your faith in reading. We hope to see you soon! We’re here to help.<\/p>\n
Warmest regards,<\/p>\n
~Cary, Colleen and the Book Beat staff<\/p>\n
\nUpcoming Events<\/h3>\n
Amy Goldman & Cindi Cook \u2014 February 12 6:30 PM at Book Beat<\/strong><\/p>\n
Authors Amy Goldman and her co-author Cindi Cook will lead a conversation on our current political reality, self empowerment, and action, followed by a signing of their book. Goldman is the founder of the political action group Fems for Dems. This promises to be an engaged and timely discussion. Learn how to make change happen and reject apathy by showing up.<\/p>\n
Lori Goldman & Cindy Cook: Fems for Dems return!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n