Novel Books Needs Your Help

Novel Books is in trouble and is asking for your support.

When I walked in I was greeted by owner, Patrick Darby. He told me about the facial recognition software the book store uses– you walk in…and he recognizes you.

Darby has been selling books since he got out of college back in 1981. He worked for Crown Books for a while before he got tired of the corporate attitude of selling books and wanted to get back to the basics.

​Fast forward a few years…
Novel Books opened back in 2011 and has been in its current location, in the historic district of Clarksburg, since 2014 (23330 Frederick Rd. across from Clarksburg Market).

The store saw continue growth in each year of its existence until last year, when unexpected costs put the business in jeopardy. Patrick tells us the store is now on the verge of closing and is asking for your help.

In addition to stopping in for a visit, he’s asking you to consider supporting through his GoFundMe page.

Patrick wants Novel Books to be a place where Clarksburg and MoCo families can gather to enjoy books, classes, and other events. Novel Books currently offers Story Time for toddlers, a space for local books clubs, and gaming tables for chess clubs and Magic: the Gathering card tournaments. New programs include multi-week courses on music for toddlers, and a class that used Legos to teach science and engineering.  A goal is to bring authors to the store for signings and new release events.

We wish Patrick and Novel Books the best of luck and hope things can turn around for the local bookstore.

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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival

Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

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2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES

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Bethesda Film Fest

The 2024 Bethesda Film Fest will feature five short documentary films made by filmmakers from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Screenings will be held Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6 at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema.

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