The Second Story - Bartow

10/21/2026

We’re launching a book subscription, and we want you to be part of it.

Each month, you’ll get a book by a Florida-local author (some indie published, some trad published), wrapped like a present. If you choose local pickup, your subscription also comes with a locally crafted good.

We’re only sending 25 out for the first three months, so you want to preorder yours now to make sure you’re the first to get a book in January.

This book subscription is ideal for adult readers that don’t mind exploring a variety of genres.

10/20/2026

You can listen to audiobooks and support your favorite bookstore by using libro.fm. Break up with that rich guy who’s monopolizing the publishing industry and get all the benefits of audiobooks while still investing in your local economy.

It’s worth it.

What audiobook do you recommend?

.fm

10/20/2026

We love a book ball.

Calling all teens: a clean book ball this weekend! Every ticket gets you a free book and a free snow.

10/20/2026

If we were to start a journaling club over video call once a week, would you come? Also, would you rather it be at 6am or 9pm?

Each meeting we would read an essay from Suleika Jaouad's "The Book of Alchemy" and follow a prompt, writing silently together for 10-15 minutes. After, we would have a few minutes to share highlights, but sharing your writing is not required or expected.

Cost would be $3 a week or $10 for a month. Is this something we're interested in?

10/20/2026

National Novel Writing Month is almost here!

Dust off your hands, Patrick, it's time to write your book.

November is National Novel Writing Month, where people all over the world commit to completing a first draft of their novel in 30 days.

If you're looking for a reason to commit to your book, this is it.

Every Friday at The Second Story, local author and previous winner of National Novel Writing Month, Katlyn Skinner, will be hosting a generative writing workshop from 10am-noon. Together, we will set goals, write, and reflect on our progress.

You're also welcome to join us Friday, October 23rd from 10am-noon for a prep-session. We'll be figuring out our plans and goals to ensure success in November.

Audiobooks are Here!

If you're that one guy who came up here and said, "Man, this place is so cool! But I only read audio..." we want you to know that we've been thinking about you. A lot.

You, with your backwards cap, eyes lit with that classic reader delight. We decided we didn't want to let anything come between a man, his love for books, and his local bookstore.

So, finally, we're offering audiobooks.

Libro.fm offers the same titles as audible, but instead of forcing you into a monthly subscription for credits, they offer both a subscription option, and the option to purchase books a-la-carte. The best part about it? Every purchase benefits the indie bookstore of your choosing. We're crossing our fingers that you'll choose us, but we won't be mad if you choose another indie bookstore. We love indie bookstores, and as long as you're shopping local, we're happy about it.

Want Books Delivered to Your House?

Did you know you can shop Bookshop.org, and still invest in your local economy? Every purchase made on Bookshop.org benefits the indie bookstore of your choosing. You can pre-order books, get ebooks, or physical copies delivered directly to you.

Attend Bookish Events

Find Your Community

October
Poetry Critique Group | Saturday, October 3rd 3-4:30pm
Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | Middle Grade Book Club | Friday, October 2nd 1pm-2pm
Silent Book Club | Bonnet Springs Park | Tuesday, October 13th 6-8pm
Death Meets Cute | J Penner | Romance Book Club | Wednesday, October 14th 7pm
Writing Group | Restless Writer | Friday, October 16th 10am-12pm
Author Signing | Steve Altier | Saturday, October 17th 3-4:30pm
Poetry Critique Group | Saturday, October 17th 3-4:30pm
Ocean of Ink | AR Conwell | Teen Book Club | Saturday, October 24 2-3pm
That's What Friends Are For | Wade Rouse |Exploratory Book Club | Saturday, October 24 3-4pm

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting. We couldn't exist without you. Your trades, purchases, and dedication to supporting local make all the difference. Thank you.

Click here for an update from The Second Story !

10/19/2026

The books want you to buy them, too, you know.

10/18/2026

We have lots coming up this weekend.

Whether you’re crafting with us, book clubbing, or you’re a teen attending the dreamy clean book ball, we’re just glad we’ll be seeing you.

10/16/2026

We have kids toys! Did you know? Some of these are perfect for entertaining your child while you enjoy coffee & snacks at Unfiltered Bartow.

10/16/2026

A long time ago, I taught in the public schools. The kids, in general, struggled with reading, many sixth graders reading at a second or third grade level. While the research points to reading for pleasure as the best tool to increase reading comprehension, the schools refuse. In my class, I had the kids read for pleasure for the first ten minutes every day. I watched students who had never finished a book in their life tackle classics, enjoy poetry, and reach for another book. I saw test scores rise, children find love in stories, and anxiety decrease as I focused on the love of reading.

Reading was making a difference.

Then, right around testing season, my admin came in my class every single day for a week during our reading time and gave me the worst evaluations of my life. They didn't want the kids reading. They wanted test prep. I knew then that my passion for connecting readers with books would be wasted in the school system.

But it isn't wasted here. Here, we offer book clubs for middle graders and teens, led by a teen.

Last week, a parent reached out after book club to tell me about their son:

"He was super nervous because it was new, but on the way home he couldn't stop talking about how fun it was to talk about the book with someone (who isn't me 😂)."

We believe that reading, especially a love of reading, begins in community.

Send this to a friend with a kid that needs it.



A

10/16/2026

Harmony Book Ball

Midnight Release Party

Sarah J Maas broke all our brains when she told us she was dropping two new books this year. If you stared at the internet with your jaw on the floor, you are not alone.

The excitement is killing us. That's why we've teamed up with Inklings Book Shoppe and Love at First Cookie to throw the most fantastical book ball we always wanted, all in celebration of the newest in ACOTAR: A Court of Splintered Harmony.

There will be dance lessons. There will be dancing. There will be delicious food. And games. And activities. And prizes. (If you came to Threshing Day Midnight Release, you'll remember how generous Fin at Inklings is with his giveaways.)

But here's the catch.

After October 18th, ticket prices raise to $50 a person.

Right now, the tickets cost $35 each.

That's why now is the absolute best time to grab your ticket, secure your spot, and guarantee yourself a night of dancing & then binge-reading the newest in the series.

Audiobooks are Here!

If you're that one guy who came up here and said, "Man, this place is so cool! But I only read audio..." we want you to know that we've been thinking about you. A lot.

You, with your backwards cap, eyes lit with that classic reader delight. We decided we didn't want to let anything come between a man, his love for books, and his local bookstore.

So, finally, we're offering audiobooks.

Libro.fm offers the same titles as audible, but instead of forcing you into a monthly subscription for credits, they offer both a subscription option, and the option to purchase books a-la-carte. The best part about it? Every purchase benefits the indie bookstore of your choosing. We're crossing our fingers that you'll choose us, but we won't be mad if you choose another indie bookstore. We love indie bookstores, and as long as you're shopping local, we're happy about it.

Want Books Delivered to Your House?

Did you know you can shop Bookshop.org, and still invest in your local economy? Every purchase made on Bookshop.org benefits the indie bookstore of your choosing. You can pre-order books, get ebooks, or physical copies delivered directly to you.

Attend Bookish Events

Find Your Community

October
Poetry Critique Group | Saturday, October 3rd 3-4:30pm
Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | Middle Grade Book Club | Friday, October 2nd 1pm-2pm
Silent Book Club | Bonnet Springs Park | Tuesday, October 13th 6-8pm
Death Meets Cute | J Penner | Romance Book Club | Wednesday, October 14th 7pm
Writing Group | Restless Writer | Friday, October 16th 10am-12pm
Author Signing | Steve Altier | Saturday, October 17th 3-4:30pm
Poetry Critique Group | Saturday, October 17th 3-4:30pm
Ocean of Ink | AR Conwell | Teen Book Club | Saturday, October 24 2-3pm
That's What Friends Are For | Wade Rouse |Exploratory Book Club | Saturday, October 24 3-4pm

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting. We couldn't exist without you. Your trades, purchases, and dedication to supporting local make all the difference. Thank you.

Click here for an update from The Second Story !