Jennifer Chang, the author of “An Authentic Life,” won the 2026 Kingsley Tufts Award. The honor, which comes with one of poetry’s largest cash prizes of $100,000, was announced by Claremont Graduate University.
Eduardo Martínez-Leyva, the author of the debut collection, “Cowboy Park,” won the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, which comes with a $10,000 prize.
Chang and Martínez-Leyva will be honored at a reading and reception at 6 p.m. April 15 at Lyman Hall, Pomona College, in Claremont. The event is free and open to the public.
SEE ALSO: Like books? Get our free Book Pages newsletter about bestsellers, authors and more
A new bookstore is opening in Claremont. TBR Books is having its grand opening on Saturday, April 11.
The shop is the brainchild of two sisters, Liana Colón and Lariza “Lolli” Rigor, and Liana’s husband, Daniel. The store is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. with drinks, baked goods and, of course, books.
“For the grand opening, we are going to have goodie bags for the first 50 people,” says Colón during a call yesterday, adding that they have plans for a cart selling iced coffee and matcha until 2 p.m. and a complimentary mocktail bar from 2 to 5 p.m.
As for the kind of books they’ll be stocking, she says they’ll be largely romance-focused, but with a range that should have something for every kind of reader.
SEE ALSO: Where’s the nearest bookstore? See our map of 80+ SoCal bookshops
“A little bit of everything. We want to try to have something for anybody that comes in,” she says.
Though they will have plenty of contemporary romance, they have something special planned for their dark romance, romantasy and other similar-type books.
“We also have a whole separate room we’re calling The Dark Room. It has a chandelier, so when you walk in, it’s a total vibe.”
If you want to bring your kids while you shop, she understands. “My sister and I both have small children,” she says, and so the kids’ area will have books, beanbags, LEGO items and more.
I wish them much success. Years ago, I used to live in downtown Claremont, and at that time, there was a children’s bookstore as well as a few used bookshops I’d visit on lazy afternoons. I remember finding up nice, inexpensive editions of Graham Greene, Albert Camus, and a 1930 “The Travels of Marco Polo” with wonderful, modern woodcut illustrations by Withold Gordon.
SEE ALSO: Get book recommendations and stories about bestsellers and authors in our book section
More recently, I’ve enjoyed stopping in at The Claremont Forum bookshop when I’m back. But the town — or any town — can always use another bookstore. I won’t be at the opening, but I do plan to check it out next time I’m in the area.
987 W Foothill Blvd, Suite 104, Claremont, (909) 541-5002
This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores