Staten Island’s Book Fair Pages in St. George

St. George flipped last night with Staten Island’s Book Fair, reading NYC’s spring near the ferry. Seller Lena Carter stacked novels as 300 shopped, a $5 entry fest of spines. It’s borough words—pure SI vibe, shelves hot. A kid nabbed a comic; a pro bagged a tome. ‘Staten reads—this is it,’ Carter says, shelving stacks. The lot turned library.

The fair’s fresh—April 5’s kickoff, it tripled since RSVPs, packing tables by 10 a.m. Carter’s a Tottenville reader; last night’s crowd hit max—pages flew. A line snaked for signings; cash buzzed—NYC grit glowed. Runs one day—books ruled. #SIBookFair trended; Bronx wants a shelf.

Some griped—’Too packed,’ sniped a browser, dodging stacks. Dust tickled—sneezes hit; reads held. A rival’s pitching a Midland fair, splitting spines. Still, 400 stayed—stories reigned. St. George’s never paged so bold.

Carter’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a park if spring bites. ‘NYC’s mind—this feeds it,’ she says, boxing books. The fair’s a Staten win—grit meets ink. It’s a book rush; catch the next. Bring a bag—tales call.