Bookstore Openings: Barnes & Noble is relocating and reopening in Livingston, NJ on Aug. 5, expanding to 25,000 sq. ft. with a café and events. Major Literary Honors: The Center for Fiction named Julia Alvarez its 2026 Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction award (Dec. 8 benefit). Book Prizes: The Booker Prize 2026 longlist was unveiled, and the Cundill History Prize added Canadian authors Jonathan Cheng and Eric T. Jennings to its 15-book longlist. Publishing & Culture: Northshire Bookstore marks 50 years with a two-location celebration in August. AI and Books Under Pressure: Multiple reports say AI firms are buying used books via middlemen and destroying them after scanning for training data. Community Reading & Democracy: Moab’s “Voices and Votes” Smithsonian exhibit runs through Aug. 7, with residents’ recorded stories and write-ins. Local Governance: North Wales council adopted an updated zoning code after years without revisions. Author News: Benjamin Alire Sáenz, beloved for Aristotle and Dante, died at 71 after a lengthy illness.