Bookstores

Independent Bookstore Day is this weekend! This special day, which was first marked in 2015, is a time to appreciate, support, and celebrate independent bookstores. I’m a big fan of ... Read more

April 2, 2020April 3, 2020

7 favorite independent bookstores that are doing great things

Books & Reading, Bookstores, Literary Destinations

I love visiting independent bookstores. I’m a regular at my local store, and visit new ones every opportunity I get. One of the (many) reasons I was so excited about ... Read more

December 19, 2019May 6, 2022

A book lover’s guide to literary Edinburgh

Books & Reading, Bookstores, Literary Destinations, My Life, Stuff I Love

About this time last year, my husband Will and I went to Scotland. It was our first trip, and we loved it. We were there for a week, which was ... Read more

August 28, 2019August 28, 2019

8 things I learned this summer

Bookstores, My Life, What I learned

Regular readers know I love sharing a monthly round-up of what I’ve been learning lately, ranging from the (occasionally) significant to the (mostly) shallow. This spring and summer I’ve been hard at ... Read more

April 24, 2019February 8, 2022

6 favorite independent bookstores

Books & Reading, Bookstores, Literary Destinations

Saturday is the fifth annual Independent Bookstore Day, a national event celebrating bookstores and the readers who frequent them. I’m looking forward to spending Independent Bookstore Day at Tulsa’s Magic ... Read more

February 12, 2019June 4, 2020

WSIRN Ep 171: A podcaster, a barrister, and a joiner walk into a bookstore

Bookstores, Literary Destinations, Podcast

Today we have a one of a kind episode for you: during my trip to Scotland’s national book town back in December, I sat down with Ruth Andersen, a brand-new bookseller in ... Read more

January 28, 2019December 18, 2019

My visit to Wigtown, Scotland’s national book town

Books & Reading, Bookstores, Literary Destinations, My Life

Well over a year ago, my friend Mel invited us to visit Wigtown, Scotland with her. Mel and her husband had booked The Open Book for a week, the bookstore ... Read more

October 29, 2018September 11, 2020

10 things I learned on book tour

Books & Reading, Bookstores, My Life, What I learned

This fall I hit the road for I’d Rather Be Reading. I’m done with the bulk of my travel: I’ve visited 20 cities so far, and will visit the 21st ... Read more

September 21, 2018August 28, 2019

16 books recommended by indie booksellers

Book Lists, Books & Reading, Bookstores, Reading Challenge

The ninth category in this year’s Reading Challenge is “a book recommended by a librarian or indie bookseller.” This is your nudge to engage with the librarians and booksellers in ... Read more

June 13, 2017April 21, 2020

WSIRN Ep 83: An epic birthday bookstore roadtrip