Loyalty Bookstores is thrilled to host a captivating literary event featuring Paul Yamazaki and Hannah Oliver Depp. This in-person gathering will celebrate the release of Yamazaki's book, "Reading the Room," a heartfelt tribute to the art of bookselling and an intellectually engaged life. The event will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 6:00 PM, at Loyalty's Petworth location (843 Upshur Street NW, Washington, DC 20011). Attendance is free, but registration is required to secure your spot. Attendees can purchase Yamazaki's book from Loyalty Bookstores, either online or in person during the event. "Reading the Room" is a love letter to the world of bookselling, spanning 24 hours in the life of Paul Yamazaki at the renowned City Lights Booksellers in San Francisco. The book delves into Yamazaki's meticulous approach to book buying, his upbringing in a Japanese American family, his move to San Francisco during a time of revolutionary fervor, and his collaborations with literary legends like Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Sonny Mehta. Through his narrative, Yamazaki underscores the value of generosity, knowledge-sharing, and dialogue in a life dedicated to books. He navigates the intricacies of building trust with readers and nurturing relationships across the literary industry, offering a vision for the future of bookselling. Paul Yamazaki has been the principal buyer at City Lights Booksellers for over 50 years. A champion of national and global literature, writers, publishers, and independent bookstores, Yamazaki received the National Book Foundation's 2023 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. He has mentored generations of booksellers across America. Hannah Oliver Depp, the co-owner of Loyalty Bookstores, will engage in conversation with Yamazaki during the event. Loyalty Bookstores is dedicated to diverse and intersectional literature, programs, and gifts for all ages. Oliver Depp has served on multiple American Bookseller Association committees and task forces and currently serves on the boards of Bookshop.org and the New Atlantic Independent Bookseller's Association. Loyalty Bookstores has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or intimidation of any kind during this event, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.