About 1 — Friends & Neighbors

For Immediate Release

June 12, 2024

08:00 am Pacific Time

San Francisco Adults Compete in Summer Reading Challenge to Win Fabulous Prizes

Green Apple Books and Friends & Neighbors Reward Bookworms

June 12, 2024, San Francisco – Today, 57-year-old legacy business Green Apple Books and 1-year-old community-building nonprofit Friends & Neighbors announced the Summer Reading Challenge, which will run from June 23, 2024, at noon to September 22, 2024, at noon. The opening ceremony will take place on June 23 at 12 pm at the corner of 6th and Clement in the Inner Richmond.

To enter, participants must be over 18 years old and must pick up a reading log at Green Apple Books (506 Clement St). Participants will log the number of hours they read, and can compete in bonus categories including reading books from 10 different genres. Physical, electronic, and audio books count. Participants are encouraged to patronize libraries and independent bookstores, or exchange tomes between friends. Podcasts and periodicals are not qualifying materials. See the Summer Reading Challenge website for more details.

Valerie Luu, co-founder of Friends & Neighbors, said, “There is no nobler motivation than the thirst for victory. I hope that the Summer Reading Challenge brings out the competitive verve that can deepen anyone’s appreciation of literature. I only learned how to read as a child because I was promised Round Table pizza coupons. I hope that our prizes—generously furnished by local Richmond businesses—spark neighbors to read voraciously this summer.”

Eileen McCormick, store manager at Green Apple Books, said, “For too long, reading has been a peaceful and solitary pastime. That changes this summer. Green Apple Books is proud to support thrilling rivalry among readers as they compete for donated treats and gifts from the Richmond’s finest establishments, and gather to read together.”

The Summer Reading Challenge continues to accept donations of prizes (suggested cash value of ~$10-$25), and local businesses can partner to host reading-themed events. Reach out to hello@friendsandneighborssf.com for more information.

The Summer Reading Challenge will be punctuated by gatherings at local coffee shops and bars to read books. These events will allow competitors to make friends and build alliances to propel them to their reading goals. Richmond Republic (642 Clement St.) will host the first Reading Together Extravaganza associated with the Summer Reading Challenge on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 12:00-3:00 pm. Bazaar Cafe (5927 California St.) will host another on July 18 from 4:30-6:30 pm. More reading parties will be announced through the Friends & Neighbors Instagram and newsletter and Green Apple Books: subscribe and follow!

The closing ceremony will take place on October 6, 2024 at noon, mostly to honor our champions but also to recognize all of the brave contestants.

As of today, these businesses have donated prizes to the Summer Reading Challenge:

Blue Danube, 306 Clement St

Body Philosophy Club, 111 Clement St

B*Star, 127 Clement St

California St. Cannabis Co., 235 Clement St

de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr

Eats, 50 Clement St

Fleetwood, 714 Clement

Friends & Neighbors, 275 6th Ave

Green Apple Books, 506 Clement St

Le Soleil, 133 Clement St