The card catalog and the Dewey Decimal system were my best friends when I was six. Ever since Mrs. Attias, my elementary school librarian, let me sneak into the big kids’ section of the library when I was in kindergarten, I was hooked. Couple that with trips to Barnes and Noble near Union Square in NYC with my dad and secretly stealing my mom’s Danielle Steele books from her closet, and a card-carrying book addict was born.
Books are the things that feel like home to me. If you’ve been to my house, you’ve likely seen the piles pretending to be decor. I used to study my dad’s bookshelves when we stayed over every other weekend, trying to glean a little bit about the life he led when we weren’t there. And I’ve moved dozens of his books with me cross country. They’re my favorite possessions, and the only thing that makes me feel like he’s still around. I think that’s why bookstores feel so sacred to me.
Getting to tour around—via car and boat—to my favorite local bookshops to share my own books is an absolute dream come true. Like it doesn't get better for me. Give me a few hours in an indie bookstore to talk with readers and dig through the shelves, and I’m basically in heaven.
The pics on Instagram don’t tell you enough about each of the stores, so I just wanted to share a little bit about each one I visited. If you didn’t get to see me…no worries because I’ll be at Bundok Books and Salmonberry Books on 5/23 and Traveling Tales on 5/29!
Away With Words—You know my love runs deep for Bittina and Kevin. Their shop is like my second home. They have the best curated selection of books. If you’re a lover of romance they’ve got you covered. Horror? Check. Hottest new titles? Check. Check. Want to meet a local author? Away With Words is the best place to do it. To top it off, they have an amazing selection of bath products and the handmade pottery. Oh and the best stickers! If you need a gift or just need a little something for yourself, you’ll find it there. But back to the book tour…Bittina and Kevin hosted me twice in the last few weeks—once for a release party for The Housewives of Greensea Island at Ty’s Wine and Brew complete with rom-com trivia and then for Indie Bookstore Day. Both events were more than I could have hoped for. Rom-com trivia was filled with laughs and we all left with a long list of movies to rewatch. If you asked me to picture the perfect book release, I couldn’t have imagined anything better, except maybe a little less rain, and I’m so grateful for the support from Bittina and Kevin.
Invitation Bookshop—I had never been to this adorable little shop in Gig Harbor, but I had the extreme pleasure of visiting and talking with my friend, Denise Ivie. Funny story, we met in Georgia Clark’s online writing class via Zoom several years ago and have become friends. Our husbands even biked together the next day(we had a good laugh about their first date;)) and I’m going to be the ‘writer-in-residence” at Denise’s first reading retreat!
Lost the Plot—Ash has created a dreamy mobile bookstore with a highly curated selection of books. The chic decoration sets the mood as soon as you pop in. Lost the Plot was parked at a brewery when I had my signing and it was the perfect venue. Beer, books, and cupcakes? What could be better?!?
Lovestruck in Seattle-I love this quintessential neighborhood bookstore all decorated in pink and celebrating every type of love. McKenna’s shop is always bubbling with customers pouring over the latest books. I think I bought four while I was there! If I lived closer, I’d be begging McKenna to hire me.
It’s hard to express how much I appreciate every bit of time the bookstores have spent promoting my work. And meeting all of you fills me up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
xoxo,
julie
p.s. Have you bought The Housewives of Greensea Island yet? Go get it! Check out this review…from someone not related to me or my books!
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