Liz Chiarello @ Kirkwood Public Library
Join us for a compelling discussion with author Liz Chiarello as she delves into her groundbreaking book, Policing Patients: Treatment and Surveillance on the Frontlines of the Opioid Crisis. Through extensive research and interviews, Chiarello exposes how surveillance technologies are reshaping the practice of medicine, forcing doctors and pharmacists to navigate the fine line between providing care and policing their patients.
Unseen STL History: Digging Deep
From brick-lined streets to smokestacks and railroads, the physical foundations of St. Louis were shaped in many ways by what came out of the ground. This month’s Unseen STL History Talk will explore the region’s history of coal and clay mining — and the immigrant labor that powered much of it. (It will expand on this article on coal mining with more information about mining in STL proper.) Whether you’ve heard whispers about lost mines in south St. Louis or wondered how Illinois coal kept St. Louis running, this talk will dig into the stories buried just beneath our feet.
Join us on Wednesday, May 15, at Leviathan Bookstore (3211 S. Grand Blvd.). Doors open at 6 p.m., giving you time to browse the shelves, grab a drink, and chat with fellow local history lovers. The talk begins at 7 p.m., with a $5 cover to support the venue.
Independent Bookstore Day
You’ll want to carve out time on Saturday, April 26 to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day. We, along with stores across the country, will be highlighting what makes us unique and worth applauding. It’s an all-day party we’re throwing for ourselves and you’re invited!
We’ll be handing out free Dad’s cookies for as long as they last and offering a couple of different bonuses with purchase. Spend $25 or more to get a free sticker, or spend at least $50 and get a free pick from our Blind Date with a Book Box.
In addition, we’ll be the hosts for a simple little scavenger hunt. Somewhere in the store will be secreted a Golden Ticket. If you’re the lucky finder, you’ll win a year’s-worth of free audiobooks, courtesy of our friends at Libro.fm!
After you come see us, we encourage you to bop around town and see what our fellow indie booksellers are up to. Drop back in before the end of the day and give us a rundown!
Unseen STL History: Mayor Raymond Tucker
Join us on Thursday, April 17th, from 7 PM to 9 PM (doors open at 6 PM) at Leviathan Bookstore, located at 3211 S. Grand Blvd. between Wyoming and Humphrey. For just a $5 cover at the door, you’ll hear from Dr. Andrew Theising, author of the new book Mid-Mod Mayor: How Raymond Tucker Shaped St. Louis, and Tim Tucker, the mayor's grandson and a longtime leader in local urban development. Together, they’ll explore how Mayor Tucker brought calm, competence, and forward-thinking to a city on the edge of transformation.
The Art of Patrick Weck
Followers of Leviathan Bookstore know that one of the things we're most excited about in our new space is a fantastic mural behind the counter, painted by St. Louis's own Patrick Weck. Patrick uses a variety of techniques to create paleoart, zoo habitat murals, science fiction scenes, and steampunk megafauna. On this evening, we'll be exhibiting a number of Patrick’s original paintings as well as his prints, comics, and zines.
Join us to raise a glass to the artist who created our mighty new Leviathan!
Unseen STL History: Baseball's Deep Roots in St. Louis
This month, we’re bringing two fascinating perspectives on St. Louis baseball history to the plate.
Adam Kloppe will explore a game-changing moment in Major League Baseball history. In 2024, MLB announced that Negro League statistics would officially be added to the Major League record book, finally giving legendary Black players the recognition they deserve. But this decision is about more than stats—it’s about honoring the talent, resilience, and innovation of the Negro Leagues. St. Louis played a major role in that history, from early professional Black teams in the 1880s to the only stadium built exclusively for Negro League play—and even a little-known Black women's baseball team.
James Crossley will dive into the deep connections he’s forged between baseball, books, and the city that lives and breathes the sport. His talk, Libraries and Diamonds: How a Lifetime of Balls, Bats, and Books Led One Man to America’s Last Baseball City, promises a unique journey through the literary and cultural side of the game.
Join us on March 20th at Leviathan Bookstore (3211 S. Grand Blvd., between Wyoming and Humphrey). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the talks beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 cover charge supports the event. Parking on Grand is metered until 7 p.m., and there's a small metered parking lot next door to the south. Parking is free on the residential streets to either side of Grand, and there's a large free parking lot behind the businesses on the east side of Grand at Hartford, across the street and a couple of blocks north of the bookstore.
Source: https://substack.com/home/post/p-158567700
Unseen History
Unseen STL History Talks highlight the vital work of archivists and historians who uncover hidden stories about our city’s history and preserve them for future generations. From genealogical research to book conservation and music history, this month's speakers will explore the many ways historical records are safeguarded and studied. The discussion will span a diverse range of projects—from family Bibles to the history of St. Louis punk rock—offering a unique look at how the past is documented and remembered.
Join us on February 20th at Leviathan Bookstore (3211 S. Grand Blvd., between Wyoming and Humphrey). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the talks beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 cover charge supports the event. Parking on Grand is metered until 7 p.m., and there's a small metered parking lot next door to the south. Parking is free on the residential streets to either side of Grand, and there's a large free parking lot behind the businesses on the east side of Grand at Hartford, across the street and a couple of blocks north of the bookstore.