Like many, we were devastated to see the destruction caused by the California  wildfires. 

Bookstores and publishers located in the Los Angeles metro area were affected by the fires, power outages, and extreme winds that devastated the region. Many bookshops have been a beacon of refuge and support in their communities. 

Here are just a few of the bookshops who have been helping those affected:

Co-owned by Rare Bird and Unnamed Press, North Figueroa Bookshop (@northfigbookshop) are offering their laundry machine to those in need, and are giving out detergent pods, quarters and water bottles.

Located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, Booksoup (@Booksoup) is offering customers the opportunity to support Direct Relief when purchasing books in their store. 

Specialising in books written by BIPOC writers, Octavia’s Bookshelf (@octavias_bookshelf) remains open as a distribution hub for essentials and will reopen as a bookstore next week, continuing to support its community.

Part of a women-led start-up founded by Zibby Owens, Zibby’s Bookshop (@zibbyowens) is  giving out books from their inventory and clothes to families who have lost homes. They have a pop-up open till Feb 2nd.

Akoya sends all our support to these bookshops and the many others from afar.