Canio's Books

03/17/2026

We had a wonderful celebration of Irish Poetry & song. Here’s Daniel Hartnett singing a classic tune. ☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

02/22/2026

HEADS UP: we've canceled the READ IN due to weather. Share a favorite book we can read on a snowy day!

The African American Read In planned for 2pm at the John Jermain Memorial Library today is cancelled due to weather. Eastville Community Historical Society and Canio's are co-hosts. I was going to read from Imani Perry's book, "Black in Blues." An amazing book. What's your current favorite book by an African American writer? Lora Tucker Kimberly Quinn Johnson Heidi Rain Kimberly Wilder

01/11/2026

Fascinating. Have you heard about this behavior? Humpback whales as protectors of the vulnerable. Amazing!

Humpback whales are displaying one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries: they actively intervene in orca hunts — not to feed, but to protect.

A seal is being pursued by killer whales when, without warning, massive humpbacks rush in. They position themselves between predator and prey, use their barnacle-covered fins as shields, and sometimes even lift the threatened animals out of the water.

This behavior is far from rare. In over 115 documented encounters, humpbacks disrupted orca attacks in nearly 90% of cases — often protecting species that weren’t their own, including seals, sea lions, and gray whale calves.

And then they leave.
No food. No reward. No clear benefit.

Some scientists believe this behavior evolved from calf defense, while others suggest it may point to social awareness — or even empathy — in whales.

As one biologist put it:
“It’s almost as if humpbacks don’t like bullies.”

Instinct or something deeper?

🎥 Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBjMf_z4l_s&t=3s

01/03/2026

Poet Cornelius Eady transfixes the crowd with his powerful poem,
PROOF.

You have to imagine it.
Who said you were too dark?
Too Large, too Q***r, Too Loud?
Who said you were too poor, too strange, too fat?
You have to imagine it.
Who said you must keep quiet?
Who heard your story then rolled their eyes?
Who tried to change your name to invisible?
You've got to imagine.
Who heard your name and refused to pronounce it?
Who checked their watch and said not now?
James Baldwin wrote 'the place in which I'll fit will not exist until I make it.'
New York, city of invention,
Roiling town, refresher
And re-newer,
New York, city of the real,
Where the canyons
Whisper in a hundred
Tongues,
New York,
Where your lucky self
Waits for your
Arrival,
Where there is always soil
For your root.
This is our time.
The taste of us, the spice of us, the hollers and the rhythms and the beats of us and the echo of our ancestors who made certain we know who we are.
City of insistence, city of resistance.
You have to imagine an army that wins without firing a bullet.
A joy that wears down the rock of no.
Up from insults, up from blocked doors, up from trick bags, up from fear, up from shame, up form the way it was done before.
You have to imagine that space they said wasn't yours.
That time they said you'd never own.
The invisible city lit on its way.
This moment is our proof.

A defining moment in New York City history unfolded during Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as acclaimed poet Cornelius Eady delivered a powerful and deep...

12/31/2025

Congratulations Cornelius Eady! So well deserved. ❤️

12/21/2025

It's the last day of our Holiday Pop Up! We're here til 5pm with a special dramatic reading of A Child's Christmas in Wales at 3pm with actor Paul HECHT and musician Daniel Hartnett. Light Refreshments. Join us! All books 25% off.

12/19/2025

Come on by the Whaling Museum, today thru Sunday for our Holiday Pop Up! Great books and photographs for the holidays.

12/13/2025

Canio’s Pop Up at the Whaling Museum! I’m here til 5; Sunday 12-3. Stop by!

12/08/2025

Stop by the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum for Canio's Holiday Pop Up!

12/04/2025

Helen Harrison reads from her latest article mystery, A Willful Co**se, for Canio’s at Christ Episcopal Church. FUN.

09/13/2025

Canio's Cultural Cafe is at HarborFest today & tomorrow. Stop by. Find out about our GREAT GATSBY Marathon next May …

We’re at HarborFest! Come say Hello. Free Raffle prizes! It’s a great day to be out & about in Sag Harbor.

09/12/2025

Canio's Cultural Cafe has a booth at Harbor Fest this weekend on Long Wharf, #68. Stop by. 10-4pm to see what our nonprofit is up to! Free Raffle Prizes!