Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Thank You Books grand reopening Saturday, Aug. 1: What’s new
Reading time: 5 minutes
Book lovers, fear not: Thank You Books is throwing open its doors again. After a week fully closed for construction, the Crestwood bookshop celebrates its grand reopening Saturday, Aug. 1, showing off a renovation that nearly doubles its footprint.
It’s the store’s second expansion since opening in 2019. The first came in 2021, when Thank You Books moved its children’s section into an adjoining space.
Co-owner Elizabeth Goodrich, alongside general manager Joyce McKinnon, who runs the shop’s day-to-day operations, says it’s been a long time coming.
Here’s everything you need to know about Thank You Books’ reopening and what’s in store.
Thank You Books expansion nearly doubles the Crestwood store
The new space extends the shop all the way to the neighboring Subway, giving Thank You Books significantly more sales floor, plus a roomier back-of-house for events and off-site prep.
Goodrich, who owns Thank You Books with Kristen Iskandrian, said the expansion will almost double the space.
“It will give us lots more sales floor space, including an expanded children’s section that we’re really excited about. It also gives us a lot more back-of-house space, which will help with events and off-site things.”
Co-owner Elizabeth Goodrich
Right now, Goodrich said staff are “kind of working on top of each other.” The extra room means more space to move — and more room to grow the in-store events the shop has become known for around Birmingham.
“It’s just very fulfilling to see that a dream we’ve had for a long time meets a need that other people experience. This will give us a lot more space to do more of what we’ve been doing and to continue to dream about what’s possible in Birmingham.”
Co-owner Elizabeth Goodrich
Thank You Books hours and grand reopening details
Shoppers won’t need to relearn anything. Thank You Books is holding onto its regular hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10AM-6PM
- Sunday: 12:30-5PM
- Monday: Closed
After-hours events are added throughout the week and posted on the shop’s website and social media.
Saturday’s grand reopening kicks off at the store’s normal 10AM opening time, followed by the shop’s regular Story Time at 10:30AM — now hosted in the new, larger children’s section.
Thank You Books events in Birmingham this fall
The bigger space means a busier calendar! Here’s what’s on the books at Thank You Books through September. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the store, located at 5502 Crestwood Blvd.
- Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sci-Fidelity Book Club discusses “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor
- Time: 6:30-7:30PM
- Cost: Free
- Synopsis: A disabled Nigerian American writer’s science fiction novel becomes a global sensation, and as her fame grows, the line between her story and reality begins to collapse.
- Sunday, Aug. 23: August Book Club discusses “John of John” by Douglas Stuart
- Time: 5:30-6:30PM
- Cost: Free
- Synopsis: An Oprah’s Book Club pick, the novel follows a young man who returns to his rural Scottish hometown hiding his queer identity, only to discover his father and grandmother are keeping secrets of their own.
- Saturday, Aug. 29: Author event with Maggie Rapier for “Wolftamer,” in conversation with Megan Beam
- Time: 5:30-6:30PM
- Cost: Free; RSVP requested
- Synopsis: The concluding novel of the Magpie and the Wolf duology reunites characters Saoirse and Faolan as their story reaches its climax.
- Wednesday, Sept. 2: Book launch for Charlotte Donlon’s “Spiritual Direction for Writers,” in conversation with Elizabeth Hughey
- Time: 6:30-7:30PM
- Cost: Free; RSVP requested
- Synopsis: Donlon offers contemplative practices and personal stories that treat rest, doubt, grief and joy as part of a sustainable writing life.
- Wednesday, Sept. 16: Poetry Book Club discusses “Constellation Route” by Matthew Olzmann
- Time: 6:30-7:30PM
- Cost: Free
- Synopsis: Structured as a series of letters, the poetry collection uses the U.S. Postal Service as a lens for exploring grief, race, violence and connection.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: John Green brings his first adult novel, “Hollywood, Ending,” to the Alabama Theatre, in an event hosted by Thank You Books
- Where: Alabama Theatre, 1817 3rd Ave. N.
- Time: 7-8:30PM (doors at 6PM)
- Cost: Tickets start at $68.48, prices vary via Ticketmaster; each ticket includes a signed copy of the book
- Synopsis: Green’s first adult novel follows two young actors whose lives spiral into the chaos of fame after they’re cast in a buzzy Hollywood biopic.
- Sunday, Sept. 27: September Book Club discusses “Hurricane Girl” by Marcy Dermansky
- Time: 5:30-6:30PM
- Cost: Free
- Synopsis: After a hurricane destroys her rented beach house, a woman navigates a chaotic, darkly comic aftermath involving a head injury, a brain surgeon and an ex.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30: Book launch for Ross Blankenship’s “Friction”
- Time: 6:30-7:30PM
- Cost: Free; RSVP requested
- Synopsis: The organizational psychologist offers a framework for understanding workplace tension and using it to build trust and improve outcomes.
