Gainesville Regional Airport’s specially curated and designed book vending machine is ready for passengers, with an array of Florida-themed reads. 

An initiative of The Lynx Bookstore, the vending machine highlights classic Florida authors like Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway and Zora Neale Hurston, along with contemporary ones like Jonathan Escoffery and Judy Blume. 

Lauren Groff, co-owner of The Lynx, also makes an appearance with her book “Florida,” a National Book Award finalist. In a press release, she said her hope is that the vending machine helps counter the “Florida Man” stereotype by showcasing its literary legacy. 

Clay Kallman, Groff’s husband, said the idea for the book vending machine dates back as far as the bookstore, if not earlier. 

Speaking to the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority, he said Groff flies in and out of the airport frequently and will be able to check the stock and curate the wares. Since going live a few days ago, Kallman said some sales have already been made. 

Kallman thanked the authority for its help getting the project started. 

Mayor Harvey Ward also spoke at the meeting and called the new vending machine a differentiator for the city. 

“That’s a big step forward I think,” Ward said. “It’s unique and will stick in people’s minds about GNV and about our larger community.” 

Ward highlighted Gainesville as a literary jewel for Florida with Groff and Pulitzer Prize winner Jack E. Davis. The vending machine includes a book by UF instructor Padgett Powell called “The Interrogative Mood.” 

Hunter Turner of High Springs designed the custom vending machine livery, featuring lynx animals and links to the bookstore’s socials and physical presence at 601 S Main St.