Dear reader,

We are three weeks into the new year and have officially gotten used to writing 2026 on our special order forms!

This feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the last year in books by sharing Between the Covers' 2025 Best Sellers in fiction, nonfiction and youth categories (lists do not include Festival of the Book titles). For even more variety and more reading options, check out our individual Bookseller Top Tens for 2025. These lists include—in no particular order—our booksellers' ten favorite books they read in 2025, regardless of publication year.

You will see some new promotions in the months ahead, as well as the return of old favorites like $5 Grab Bags and Pie Fridays (psst! The next one is this Friday, January 23rd. Doors open at 9:30 am. A purchase of at $25 earns you a slice of Susan's homemade pie, while supplies last!)

Continue reading for more details about our annual Bookmark Design Contest and sponsorship opportunities for our third year of Summer Book Bonanza for Harbor Springs Public School students. And, as always, the year is off to a rollicking start with a smörgåsbord of new books!

Happy Reading,

Katie

SUMMER READING BOOK BONANZA IS BACK AND WE CAN'T DO IT AGAIN WITHOUT YOU!

In our continued efforts to support literacy, combat summer slide, and offer resources for local students and educators, Between the Covers is pleased to announce the return of Summer Reading Book Bonanza!

Our goal, once again, is to provide every Harbor Springs student in grades

preK through 8th with a book to read

this summer.

Titles will be selected by Between the Covers' booksellers and will focus on authors and illustrators with whom students may be less familiar. The featured titles will be spring 2026 releases of high interest to young readers, and catered appropriately for grade level.

While we firmly believe it is part of our mission as an indie bookstore to share a love of reading, we cannot take on the financial commitment alone. This is when we turn to you—our friends, readers and customers.

We are now asking for sponsorships to make this program a reality!

• Contributions may be made in any increment.
• $350 sponsors an entire classroom (not grade level).
• You may sponsor a particular grade level (preK-8th) or designate for area of greatest need.
• Between the Covers is not a nonprofit organization. Your contribution is NOT tax deductible.
• Contributions may be made in-store or by phone.

We hope you will help us in meeting a goal of $11,500 by April 1st. This ensures that each preK through 8th grade student receives a new book before the end of the school year, and allows ample time for the selection and ordering process.

Any funds in excess of the goal will be distributed towards classroom libraries in the childcare facilities in Blackbird Elementary, which was enthusiastically appreciated last year.

Thank you for your support in helping us to put good books into the hands of good young readers!

Store Hours

Monday - Friday 

9:30 am - 5:30 pm 

Saturday

10 am - 5 pm

Sunday

11 am - 4 pm

For every $100 spent in most small businesses, $68 stay in local downtowns and their environs. Between the Covers continues to give away an average of

2 months of profits

every year.

Thank you for joining in our efforts to support arts, culture, general welfare and literacy by buying your books from local booksellers and returning dollars to our town.

Welcome to Between the Cover’s latest Bookmark Series! 

Theme:

“The Quotable Reader"

Please take a moment to read through all of the guidelines for submission. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to let us know. Our customers and readers are always so excited when new bookmarks arrive. It is a wonderful way for a miniature reproduction of your art to end up in the hands of many. Thank you for submitting your artwork for consideration.

Guidelines:

1. All entries must be received by 8:00 pm on June 1, 2026. The series will run from July 2026 through June 2027. $100 cash prize for the winning series!
2. Artists must submit two to four designs within the series’ theme. The theme is open to interpretation, so be as creative as you’d like (but do keep at least one design child friendly!). Please submit all designs at the same time.
3. Any media that can be transferred in some way to paper is acceptable. Black-and-white, full color, or grey scale—that is up to you. (Bookmarks are NOT printed on photo paper.)
4. Art should be created for bookmarks whose dimensions measure 2 1/4” x 6”. This includes a 1/4” bleed surrounding the entire image, which must be allowed for printing purposes. 
5. Bookmarks are single-sided.
6. Do not include bookstore information on the bookmark. Our in-house graphic designer will add digitally before printing.
7. Designs must be submitted in a jpg format via email to books@btcbookshs.com. If your artwork has not been created in a digital way, you may scan and send as a jpg file. If your designs are chosen for the series and the printers require any adjustments, we may ask for your assistance in resizing or reconfiguring a file.

Have fun, let your imaginings wander, and thank you again for making each reader’s visit to Between the Covers a little more special.