Free Book Pop Up Aims to Help Fire Victims Restock Their Shelves
This article was originally published April 13, 2025 on laist.com.
A free book pop up event is scheduled for early next month in Hollywood, where people affected by the Los Angeles firestorm can pick up donated books and listen to local authors.
The “Stack the Shelves” event, scheduled for May 4, is organized by Traci Thomas — host of the book podcast, The Stacks. Thomas is a book expert who regularly contributes to NPR’s Here and Now. She also created the LAist live literary series One for the Books.
Why a book pop up?
Thomas said she was struck by how many people came together to donate basics and support each other during the fires that ignited in January and wanted to do her part the best way she knew how: through books.
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Thomas said she also became tired of hearing the refrain that the precious items many people lost were just “things.”
“I kept thinking how much I hated that. Because I thought about how so many of the things in my house are the things that have created the story of my life. And books are obviously a huge piece of that,” Thomas told LAist.
Thomas said the plan is to have each attendee leave with a gift card to Octavia’s Bookshelf, a Pasadena independent bookstore. After the fires, Octavia’s Bookshelf owner Nikki High turned the bookstore into a mutual aid center, where people could pick up essentials like baby formula or toothpaste.
How you can help
Thomas said people looking to contribute can sign up to volunteer or make monetary donations over at her website: thestackspodcast.com/shelves.Thomas said her goal is to raise $50,000.
Books available at the event will be a mix of new and older titles.
Details on the event
The pop up bookstore will is set for May 4 at the Lombardi House, 1717 N. Bronson Ave., in Hollywood. The event is scheduled to run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Any families affected by January’s fires are welcome to attend, but must RSVP. All the info for how to attend or contribute is here: thestackspodcast.com/shelves
