Books & Books Literary Foundation

The Books & Books Literary Foundation expands the mission of Books & Books, an independent center of Miami's literary culture since 1982, into three primary program areas: nurturing readers, cultivating community, and promoting the free exchange of ideas. Through our signature programs, like Meet an Author, Build a Library and The Great Big Free Book Fair, and through partnerships with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, The Children's Trust, The Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library, and Uplift Literacy, we've donated over 25,000 books directly to Miami-Dade residents of all ages who lack easy access. In the spring of 2025, we brought award-winning authors like Pablo Cartaya, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Brad Meltzer, Justin A. Reynolds, and Chantal Acevedo on 40 visits to underserved public schools, where every child in attendance was gifted a signed copy of the author's book, to start or build their home libraries. This fall, bestselling authors like Edwidge Danticat, Alan Gratz, James Ponti, Jennifer L. Holm, Aaron Reynolds, and Samantha San Miguel are visiting our least resourced schools, and students are receiving them like rockstars!

Since its founding in 2023, the Books & Books Literary Foundation has sustained the Books & Books stores as community hubs, supporting 400+ events annually in-store and at locations around the county. In addition to author events and signings, we provide engaging, free-to-join programs like Silent Reading Parties, Little Libraries, and Independent Bookstore Day, connecting people around the act of reading.

The Books & Books Literary Foundation is proud to partner with celebrated local organizations like Chapman Partnership for the Homeless, Guitars Over Guns, Exchange for Change, Marvin Dunn and the Miami Center for Racial Justice, Catalyst Miami, the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, Jackson Health’s Child Psychiatry Unit, and others, bringing books and literary programming to the populations they serve.

About Books & Books:

Books & Books is South Florida's premier literary destination and a haven for independent readers and thinkers. Founded by Mitchell Kaplan in 1982, Books & Books caters to locals and visitors with a comprehensive selection (also available online) and nonstop programming, presenting over 400 events each year across four locations: the flagship bookstore and full-service cafe in Coral Gables, stores in Coconut Grove and Bal Harbour, and the nonprofit location in Key West, started by author Judy Blume and her husband, George Cooper. We invite you to learn more about the Books & Books Literary Foundation on our website.