A book registry for L.A. authors affected by the wildfires
BOOKS UNBURNED
Lots of authors lived in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, the communities most affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. That means lots of authors lost their entire book collections. In a matter of hours, libraries they’d built over a lifetime were reduced to ashes—to say nothing of their manuscripts, archives, and notes for past and future projects.
The manuscripts can never be replaced. But with time, patience, and some generosity, many of the books can be.
Books Unburned is a registry that helps L.A. writers rebuild their libraries by connecting them with those who appreciate them the most — their readers. In turn, readers get book recommendations from their favorite writers, plus the fun of sending those writers some of their own most-loved books.
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Writers create entries on this page, briefly describing what their book collections meant to them. This connects to bookselling registries where readers can peruse their favorite authors’ lost libraries and, if they choose, send them a book.
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Browse the author profiles below and click on their registries. You should be able to send a book by simply buying one from there.
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No need to spend money. If readers would like to send their own used books (or pre-loved books, as we say around here), they may send them to The Unspeakeasy’s business address and our elves will make sure they reach the right person.
Send it like so:
Author’s Name
c/of The Unspeakeasy
254 N. Lake Avenue #337
Pasadena, CA 91101 -
All authors of any genre who lost their books in the wildfires are eligible. The only requirement is that they must be a book author. (If we included all the screenwriters, we’d be overwhelmed.)
How to build a registry: For new books, we recommend Bookshop (you can see instructions on how to build a registry here) an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent booksellers. For used books, we recommend Thriftbooks. But authors can use any bookselling platform they like.
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If you’re interested in submitting a registry, fill out this form or send an email to info@theunspeakeasy.com.
MORE AUTHORS COMING SOON
Do you know an author who lost their books? Send us an email at info@theunspeakeasy.com, and we’ll reach out.
AUTHORS
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Meghan Daum
Author of several books, most recently The Catastrophe Hour.
My library, which you can see in the background of this photo, had books leftover from my college days all the way up to books acquired a week before the fire. Most of the books had been in storage for many years before I got everything out and moved them into the Altadena house in 2022. One of the things I loved most about the house was the built-in bookshelves. To look at them was to look at a timeline of my entire reading life, from the Laura Ingalls Wilder collection I had as a child right up to books published last year. Having all of my books with me was how I knew I was truly at home.I love used hardcovers, so most of my registry is at Thriftbooks here.
For newer books, I support authors and independent booksellers on Bookshop here.
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Erika Schickel
“Some of the books I used for reference and teaching, others were just old friends that I liked to stay in touch with. Many of the books I lost I hadn't even read yet. Books have always felt like home to me.”
Erika is the author of “Yes You're Not the Boss of Me: Adventures of a Modern Mom” (2007) and “The Big Hurt” (2021)".