Megan Soyars

Read-iculous Turnout for WORD Holiday Party

Quirky independent bookstore WORD hosted its 3rd annual Holiday Open House this past weekend, December 11 and 12th. Like many of its events, the turnout was impressive. “We had a lot of people show up this time,” said Jenn Northington, the event manager of WORD. “It gets more fun and hectic every year.”

Following its yearly tradition of, “nibbles, holiday movies in the basement, guest authors, and fundraising,” WORD offered donuts and cider, showings of holiday films, and appearances by more than ten authors including Josh Ritter (Bright’s Passage), Sarah MacLean (the Love By Numbers series), Michael Showalter (Mr. Funny Pants), Haley Tanner (Vaclav and Lena) and Peter Brown (Children Make Terrible Pets).

Reflecting the atmosphere of the store, the event was cozy and intimate. Instead of standing at a podium, the authors mingled with patrons, informally discussing their favorite titles, and taking the chance to plug some of their own.

“It’s a lot of fun getting to talk to people about the books we like,” said folk musician-turned-writer Ritter, who recently published his first novel, Bright’s Passage. “I recommended Loitering with Intent,” he continued. “It’s a great little book about a young writer.”

Not only did the writers give book recommendations, they also assisted with gift-wrapping and other tasks around the store.

Proceeds from the gift-wrapping benefited the Greenpoint Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, which is part of the Greenpoint Reformed Church. Gift cards were also on sale to be given to needy children in the neighborhood, allowing them to pick out their own presents from WORD. “We wanted to make sure fundraising at the event was community-based,” Northington said.

In addition to conversing with authors, customers enjoyed refreshments and a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life. Another Holiday Open House is planned for next year.

WORD remains a gem to Greenpoint. One of the few independent bookstores in the area, it owes much of its success to its fun and entertaining events. Even more impressive, WORD is still relatively new. Although it can’t fall back on a hallowed history like the Strand, it’s more inviting than the Manhattan store.

“I found out about WORD a little while ago,” said Ritter. “I love getting to know the people here, and the closeness of [the store].”

Upcoming events can be found on WORD’s website, wordbrooklyn.com. Stop by any day from 11am-9pm. You might even rub shoulders with your favorite author amongst the cozy shelves!

WORD Bookstore
126 Franklin Street
(718) 383-0096

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