What are you reading this summer? Join our conversation as we discuss the season’s new releases, much anticipated sequels and hard-knock tales. From the perfect beach book to rainy day must-reads, we talk to local bookstore owners and bibliophiles from across the First Coast to compile a comprehensive reading list. If you’ve got a favorite book to suggest, email firstcoastconnect@wjct.org or join our conversation on air at (904) 549-2937.
Guests:
- Rona Brinlee, owner of The BookMark in Neptune Beach.
- Angie Nixon, state representative and owner of Cafe Resistance Bookstore on Soutel Drive.
- Tricia Booker, University of North Florida journalism instructor and author of The Place of Peace and Crickets.
- Donna Paz Kaufman, owner of Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture in Fernandina Beach.
Then, another community takes it to the bridge — for a DIY lighting ceremony. We’ll tell you about Thursday’s planned Juneteenth bridge lighting, the second in less than a month. In May, the community supported Pride month with a display of rainbow colored flashlights on the Acosta Bridge. This week, the bridge will light up in red, green and black in observance of Juneteenth. Both holidays used to be celebrated in officially sanctioned bridge lighting displays. However, state officials recently limited bridge lights to the colors red, white and blue and restricted special illuminations to nine specific government holidays, which don’t include Pride month or Juneteenth.
Guest:
- Kelly Frazier, president of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville.
And, whether your instrument of choice is a harmonica, upright bass or just your own pipes, you’re invited to join in the inaugural Make Music Day in Nassau County. The annual international event was created in France more than four decades ago and migrated to New York in 2007. Since then, it has spread to more than 100 U.S. cities, with a goal of celebrating community, unity and the joy of making music. All ages and talent levels are welcome to join.
Guests:
- Richard Restiano, president, Nassau Council of Arts and Culture.
