Ya know, we had some long-winded eloquent post written out about kindness and empathy and then we decided to cut to the chase. Yes, we’ve closed a little early each day this weekend. Yes, our hours are shortened tomorrow. Yes, we have a handwritten note on the door, asking for people to extend understanding. Have most of you extended understanding? Yes, probably (because we like to believe the world is at least half decent). But today, when our staff closed twenty minutes early, and were still in the back of the store wrapping up, two groups of people came by and expressed irrational levels of frustration. One man even mentioned smashing our sign in his emotional rant. First of all, calm down, we sell books. Second of all, we guarantee that if it wasn’t for the staff who is coming to be there at all, the store would’ve been closed for days, not minutes. And finally, maybe trust that there are more than valid reasons why we aren’t at full capacity and are having to adjust our hours—most of which, we’d gladly wish away to have the privilege of selling books. 🏹❤️

As tourist season comes to a close, we want to thank the people who keep us in business all year long — our local community! Your continued support through shopping our shelves, and special ordering books, is why we make it through the cooler, slower months. So for two days only, enjoy 20% off every book in store! 🏹❤️ #indiebookstore #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopsouthernoregon

A couple of months of ago, we shared that someone had placed chewed up gum in one of our LGBTQ+ books, and we encouraged our fellow readers to consider buying the same book from their local indie as a way to support the author and queer community. So many people did. And one person took it a step further. Shortly after our post, a beautiful, handwritten thank you card arrived in our post office box, with $20 and instructions to gift it to someone who could use a little kindness. We waited for the right moment, the right person, and along came a customer who was purchasing The Emperor of Gladness by @ocean_vuong; a customer who shared that they had just come out to their family a few days prior. What an honor we’d been given to be a vessel for such kindness. So to our little magical mail fairy, and to our whole community, we are grateful for the ways you show up for others, the ways you stand up to injustice, and the ways you take care of each other. We are in this together. And hate will never win here. 🏹❤️ #independentbookstore #shopsmall #shoplocal #diversifyyourbookshelf

LAST CHANCE! 📣 We are celebrating 9 years of ‘Leaving The Light On’ at Rebel Heart Books with a limited edition t-shirt and you only have 2 more days to order yours! These shirts are only available online through our Bonfire campaign (link in bio). We know it can be tricky to order online and not know the fit and feel of a shirt, so we got Eileen to model one in the second slide. 😈😜 (hurry and look before she makes us delete it) But for real, we are using Bonfire because they allow small businesses like ours to drop new merch without the extensive overhead costs as they handle the production, shipping, and customer service. And even though our photoshop and marketing skills might tell you differently, we aren’t experts at everything. 😆 If you’ve been here from the beginning or just stumbling across us now, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating that the lights are still on at independent bookstores. ❤️🏹 #independentbookstore #bookstoremerch #shopsmall #shoplocal

Pottery, books, probably some cookies, and definitely supporting an awesome, local artisan? This is what our Saturday night dreams are made of! As a part of the upcoming Jacksonville Jubilee celebration on July 11th, we are so thrilled to host Ceramics by Kenzie in our bookstore from 5-7pm. Many of you will recognize Kenzie from behind the espresso machine at Good Bean, but, like us up until last month, you might not know that she’s an insanely talented artisan who creates beautiful ceramics. From the moment she casually dropped pics of her pottery on social media, we knew we wanted to feature her work for this special city-wide celebration! She’ll have a range of pieces — small bowls, mugs, espresso cups, candlesticks, and more — available for purchase (cash or Venmo), and with every ceramics purchase, we will be offering 10% off your book purchase! Mark your calendars and help us welcome and support Kenzie! @nomadicpilgrimage 🩵💙 @visitjacksonvilleoregon @jacksonvillereview #shopsouthernoregon #jacksonvilleoregon #independentbookstore #jacksonvillejubilee

✨Leaving the Light on✨ Against all current political and economic odds, Independent Bookstores around the world are still here. Almost 9 years ago, Rebel Heart Books joined that indie bookstore community and we want to celebrate that the lights are still on, still providing a safe place to connect through story: ours, yours, and the books we choose to share space with. To celebrate we are releasing a very limited edition “Leaving the Light On” t-shirt! For now, this shirt can ONLY be purchased online through our campaign with Bonfire. And you only have until June 30th to order!! Bonfire allows small businesses like ours to drop new merch without the extensive overhead costs as they handle all the production, shipping, and customer service. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 9 years of Leaving the Light On at Rebel Heart Books!! Order your shirt by June 30th online www.bonfire.com/rebelheartbooks-light-on (link also in bio) Storefront artwork: Andrew Brozyna of @ratherkeen Photography, third slide: Darcie Sternenberg #bookstoremerch #shopsouthernoregon #indiebookstore #jacksonvilleoregon #rebelheartbooks

This month, our Pride window and main table display features some book recommendations from North Medford High School’s Queer Student Union. We are so grateful that the students took the time to share with us the books that have had a lasting impact on them. We encourage you to pick up one of the middle grade or young adult books on these displays, knowing that the words written, the stories told, mean a lot to a young person in our community. Everyone belongs at the bookstore. ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜 What book has helped you show up more fully as yourself in the world? What book have you found yourself in? 🏹❤️ #pridemonth #independentbookstore #readqueerallyear #shopsouthernoregon #jacksonvilleoregon

“To be ill adjusted to a deranged world is not a breakdown.” —Jeanette Winterson At Rebel Heart, we are honoring Mental Health Awareness month and celebrating all the people who mother. 🏹❤️ #independentbookstore #mentalhealthawareness #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopsouthernoregon

First things first, you all showed us so much love on Independent Bookstore Day!! We are still recovering and restocking. Thank you!! Second thing, our Rebel Hearts Books x @libro.fm Golden Ticket has not been found yet! Meaning there is still a year’s worth of audio books waiting for one of you! The ticket is hidden in our store and if you ask kindly, we miiiight give you a hint. But for now, keep searching! Your 12 free audiobooks are calling your name! 🏹❤️ #rebelheartbooks #indiebookstore #shopsouthernoregon #audiobooks #bookstagram