Holiday greetings from the Prisoners Literature Project. Thanks for reading, donating and supporting our mission. We’re an inclusive, all-volunteer, grassroots nonprofit whose purpose is to encourage reading, the pursuit of knowledge, and self-determination among incarcerated people. And we’re still sending out 200+ packages of books to 49 U.S. states weekly, with your help.

Following our Giving Tuesday appeal (much appreciated, those who donated money or are still intending to!) we wanted to round out 2021 by listing some other ways that you can help support our work.

– Buying ‘much-requested’ books from our online wishlists

Although we get great book donations, some books require special ordering at the Prisoners Literature Project – especially ones around small business setup, homesteading, urban books, tiny houses, preventing domestic violence & more. We just can’t get enough donated books to meet these requests.

We’d really appreciate some help here.  Instead of donating money or donating your own books, you can also buy these books for us via our wishlist.  Buy a book!  Any title you purchase fromour wishlistwill be sent directly to someone behind bars.  You’ll never find a more grateful reader.

(If you’d prefer to use a wishlist service from a local bookstore, we have a Pegasus Books wishlist  or Books Inc. that you’re welcome to use.)

– Supporting our physical displays at local Bay Area bookstores

Please shop at these excellent stores who all gave up precious space to support the PLP – whether you buy books for prisoners or just as Christmas or post-holiday presents! 

The following bookstores have set up display shelves with books to donate to the PLP. Each display features a sign with the PLP logo, paperbacks customers can buy for those inside, flyers about PLP’s ongoing work and free PLP bookmarks:

In the East Bay:
East Bay Booksellers (formerly Diesel Books; 5433 College Ave. Rockridge) 
Moe’s Books (2476 Telegraph Ave in Berkeley)
Pegasus Books (in downtown Berkeley at 2349 Shattuck Ave & at 1855 Solano Ave., Berkeley.)
Owl & Company Bookshop (3941 Piedmont Ave., Oakland)
Walden Pond Books (3316 Grand Ave, Oakland)

in San Francisco:
Green Apple Books on the Park (1231 9th Ave, SF)
Fabulosa Books (Their display of LGBTQ titles was compiled with invaluable input from PLP volunteers and Madison’s LGBT Books-to-Prisoners.)

Finally, we wanted to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. We’re still surviving and thriving with your help, and intend to continue our work for many years to come.

Thanks so much,
Prisoners Literature Project co-ordinators and volunteers.