Leaving any bookstore is hard, especially on a day in August...

 

"Leaving any bookstore is hard, especially on a day in August when the street outside burns and glares, and the books inside are cool and crisp to the touch..." is part of a longer quote from an older Publisher's Weekly essay by Jane Smiley regarding the worth of a bookstore. We at Bluestocking Books are in agreement and invite you into our literary sanctuary for a late-summer browse to find that last beach read before school is fully back in session and autumn and winter holiday planning takes precedent. If you would like to read one of Jane Smiley's books, check out the selection of paper options on Bookshop.org and audio on Libro.fm.

CityFest Returns Sunday, August 10, 2025!

Hillcrest's annual CityFest returns on Sunday, August 10 from noon through 11PM. Visit Bluestocking Books while you experience all that CityFest has to offer - live music, DJs, arts and crafts vendors, kid's activities, food, cocktails, and crafts brews. CityFest is San Diego's largest and best art and music festival, covering over 9 city blocks! Plan accordingly with this guide from Fabulous Hillcrest.

KPBS San Diego Book Festival

The inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival presented by the University of San Diego takes place on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 10AM to 4PM on the University of San Diego campus. Event registration and parking is free. Expect the presence of over 70 authors, panel discussions, activities, live entertainment, exhibitors, and independent booksellers. The 2025 pick for One Book, One San Diego will be announced during the event. Visit the KPBS website to plan your day and to access the registration link.

Visit Bluestocking Books in person at 3817 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, California, 92103 and online at bluestockingbooks.com.

Summer Means Happy Times and Good Sunshine

Brian Wilson with goat at The San Diego Zoo, 1966

"Summer means happy times and good sunshine. It means going to the beach, going to Disneyland, having fun." - Brian Wilson

Beach Boy Brian Wilson left for his final Surfin' Safari on June 11, 2025. Brian gifted us great music and Good Vibrations, he left us California Dreamin' and celebrated California Girls, and he elevated our enjoyment of The Warmth of the Sun. Wouldn't it be Nice to never have to say good-bye? Sail On, Sailor.

In the spirit of summer and Brian Wilson, Bluestocking Books presents events in San Diego throughout the month of July and on into August. Get out and enjoy the long days, the fresh air and the sunshine!

Independence Day in San Diego

July 4, 2025 marks 249 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. There are many ways to celebrate in San Diego, including the Big Bay Boom, California's largest fireworks show and  the Fireworks Spectacular at the San Diego County Fair. No matter which area of the county you find yourself in this Fourth of July, there are events for you! See the list at San Diego Tourism. 

Bluestocking Books will be closing at 4PM on July 4, so plan your booky visit accordingly!

Looking for a holiday read? The 40th anniversary 2016 edition of  "Born on the Fourth of July" with a foreword by Bruce Springsteen is still in print. This still relevant autobiography by Ron Kovic documents the life story of a severely injured Vietnam vet who became this country's most outspoken Vietnam War protestor and advocate for better treatment of injured and disabled veterans. This classic anti-war memoir is recommended reading from Howard Zinn and Oliver Stone. Order your copy from Bluestocking Books.

San Diego Pride

Hillcrest will be extra-fabulous on July 19 as the San Diego Pride Parade celebrates 50 years and winds it's way through the gayborhood into Balboa Park to the Pride Fest gates. 

On Pride Parade day, July 19, Bluestocking Books will be hosting Coronado Beach Coffee, so come early for your cuppa before we run out! CBC sells only Fair Trade Organic 100% Arabica coffee with no bitter taste - smooth on the tongue and easy on the belly!

Purchase My Little Golden Book About Pride at
Bluestocking Books

Comics and Cosplay and Fandom - Oh, My!

The world-famous San Diego Comic-Con returns to the San Diego Convention Center from July 24 through July 27, 2025. We look forward to welcoming back folks that only get to visit Bluestocking Books once a year during Comic-Con to shop for comic books, graphic novels, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books, gaming publications, and vintage pulp paperbacks. We are well-stocked and ready for you!

Never been to SDCC or curious to learn more? Listen to the audio book of "See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture" by Mathew Klickstein. The audiobook features Neil Gaiman, Frank Miller, Kevin Smith, Bruce Campbell, Felicia Day, Scott Aukerman, Stan Sakai, Sergio Aragones, Trina Robbins, the Russo Bros., Lloyd Kaufman, Tim Seeley, Kevin Eastman, and more, plus forewords by Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo) and Jeff Smith (Bone) with an afterword by Wu-Tang Clan's own uber-nerd mastermind RZA.

When in San Diego

Bluestocking Books is proud to be the first establishment for the "Business of the Month" article on the When in San Diego website! Jeremy Wasko visited the bookstore and interviewed our beloved Mary for the feature. 

Mary at Bluestocking Books recommends reading
Dog Man!

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Visit Bluestocking Books

Visit Bluestocking Books in person at 3817 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, California, 92103 and online at bluestockingbooks.com.