Ready to ‘Get Pop-Cultured’ Again?

After the success of last year’s events, Barnes & Noble booksellers are inviting book, comic, movie, television, and music fans to once again “Get Pop-Cultured” throughout the month of July.

This year’s events will be not only be consolidated into one month, but there are more of them. Look for something happening every Thursday through Saturday, and on other select nights.

Two of this year’s highlights are devoted to some of the women who have left a significant mark on the pop-culture and literary worlds. First up, the store will participate in a nationwide read-a-thon of Harper Lee’s classic, To Kill A Mockingbird, on Monday, July 13. The official release of Lee’s second novel, Go Set A Watchman, is Tuesday, July 14.

Fangirl Friday is July 24, celebrating the women of Marvel, as well as offering an exclusive Vinyl Vixen Metallic Wonder Woman Figure from the DC Universe.

Another fun addition this year is Throwback Thursdays (July 2-30), which will be devoted to some of the familiar pop-culture icons of various decades, from the 1950s through the 1990s each week.

Doctor Who, which was part of last year’s Page to Screen Weekend events, gets its own evening July 3 as part of Time Travel Weekend, with giveaways, trivia, and other events. The weekend rounds out with a Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark storytime Saturday and an afternoon event devoted to the Diana Gabaldon book (and now television series), Outlander.

The second week of July doubles up with two weekend-long events. DC Comics Days, from July 8-12, will feature a free Young Gotham comic collection and poster. Comic Convention Collectibles, from July 9-12, coincidentally the same dates as Comic-Con International: San Diego, will have items from Diamond Select Toys, Funko, and Titans. There is no indication whether these collectibles are special offers or giveaways, but it will be interesting to find out, nonetheless.

The weekend of July 17-19 is devoted to three favorite fandoms with a Minions Fun Night Friday, Star Wars Saturday, and Manga Mania events and giveaways on Sunday.

The rebirth of the popularity of vinyl albums won’t be overlooked with Vinyl Day on Saturday, July 25, and the return of James Patterson Day, one of last year’s offerings, will follow on Sunday, July 26.

Events conclude with a celebration of the beloved author Dr. Seuss, including a storytime event celebrating his newly discovered book, What Pet Should I Get, on Thursday, July 28, and a Dr. Seuss Spectacular family celebration Friday, July 31.

All giveaways and special offers are available, of course, while supplies last. There might be a line or two, so get there early. Just keep in mind that events may vary with different stores. Also, certain days are devoted to material that would be of interest to older audiences, but all events are family-friendly and appropriate cosplay is encouraged.

This means there is no excuse to not have something to do at least one weekend this July.

Check out Barnes and Noble’s Get Pop-Cultured on their website or via Twitter with the hashtag #getpopcultured.