Reynolds and Aboderin in events for Independent Bookshop Week

Jason Reynolds and Bodé Aboderin will be taking part in events hosted by Bookshop.org to mark Independent Bookshop Week, which runs from 18th to 25th June. 

Aboderin will discuss Fatherhood by Papa B: A Game-changing Guide for Parents, Father Figures and Fathers-to-be (DK) live with Candice Brathwaite, author of Cuts Both Ways (Hachette Children’s Group) as well as fellow fathers and father-figures Tom Cox, Robert Douglas, Niran Vinod and Kevin Morosky on 21st June at 7 p.m. 

Reynolds will be in conversation with bookseller Carolynn Bain from Afrori Books on 23rd June at 7 p.m. They will talk about When I Was the Greatest (Faber), his coming-of-age novel about friendship and loyalty across neighbourhood lines, illustrated by Akhran Girmay. A recording of the event will be available to schools after the night.  

Access to Aboderin’s event is free when customers buy, or have already bought, a copy of Fatherhood by Papa B from a participating independent bookshop or via Bookshop.org. Reynolds’ event is free when customers buy a copy of any of the books above from a participating independent bookshop. The link to join the relevant event will be emailed to them on the day. 

Reynolds has also been selected as Bookshop.org’s author of the month for June, with free shipping when purchasing any of his titles via the platform – which won Book Retailer of the Year at the Nibbies this week – until 30th June. 

Aboderin said: “Apart from offering a safe and comfortable space that is all about community for those who love reading, independent bookshops play an important and crucial role in supporting and championing new and local authors like myself. I love browsing my local bookshop and discovering hidden gems and I feel many authors can accredit their beginning to these shops.” 

Nicole Vanderbilt, managing director at Bookshop.org UK, added: “Independent Bookshop Week is our favourite week of the year, where we celebrate the importance and incredible role independent bookshops play in our society – our world wouldn’t be the same without them. To mark IBW, we’re excited to present two very special events with Jason Reynolds and Papa B, and we encourage everyone to support their local indie bookshops in person or online during the week (and beyond)”.