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Welcome back to Bookstore Pix, where we celebrate independent bookstores and share their booksellers’ best reads.
This week’s newsletter is taking you to Austin, TX, home to the largest indie bookstore in the state of Texas!
Francesca McDonnell Capossela
The Shelf Talker
Austin’s Literary Mainstay
Photo provided by BookPeople
BookPeople was founded as Grok Books in 1970 by two Austin couples near the University of Texas with a meager budget of $5,000 and the belief that engaged reading can foster change and growth in individuals and subsequently society.
Over 5 decades, it has expanded, changed locations multiple times, and become the literary mainstay Austin readers know and love. Their current and forever name, BookPeople, reflects the book people of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, the community that keeps books, stories, and expression alive in a world where they are outlawed.
Follow BookPeople on Instagram here.
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BookPeople Bookseller Picks
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Recommended by Chloe
“McQuiston writes the European setting so vividly that I forgot I wasn’t reading a fantasy novel. In my mind, CMQ invented Europe, wine, and bisexuality.”
Best Woman by Rose Dommu
Recommended by Mallory
“An absolutely delightful read. Dommu explores family, transness, and being a wedding guest with depth and wit. I had so much fun reading about Julia and her chaotic friends and family.”
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
King Christian Hotel
The Vibe: Charming Caribbean escape
The Location: Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Sitting on the picturesque Christiansted waterfront rests King Christian Hotel, a historic getaway in St. Croix. The hotel is boutique by design, with harbor views from select rooms and boardwalk access to duty-free boutiques you won't find stateside. Rooms have been fully remodeled with terra cotta floors and floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms. With five on-site eateries—including Caroline's oceanfront brunch restaurant and Breakers Roar Tiki Bar—it's easy to fuel up before or after a day of snorkeling, parasailing, or scuba diving. Plus, the beach is only a two-minute water taxi from the hotel's own dock!
BookPeople Bookseller Picks
Fight by Sloane St James
Recommended by Avery
“Who would’ve thought firefighter romance could be so gooddddd! I am obsessed with these books and it’s fun to try out different authors! These books bring the HEAT!”
Seduction Theory by Emily Adrian
Recommended by Helena
“A fake MFA thesis becomes as riverting as hot, messy gossip! The ending will have you reeling to reread it again!!”
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
Recommended by Madelina
“Rich and decadent, this is a fantastically fun read about two young women making their way through a hot NYC summer. Grandos offers razor-sharp observations on high society and examines what it means for women to wield charm, glamor, and personality as currency.”
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
The Troubadour
The Vibe: Eclectic eye candy
The Location: New Orleans, LA
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Just three blocks from the French Quarter, The Troubadour puts the best of New Orleans within walking distance. Inside, the city's musical spirit inspires an eclectic deco-meets-'70s design, with warm woods, contemporary artwork, and plenty of natural light. For the best views, book a city-view room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking New Orleans, or go big with the 16th-floor Troubadour Suite, featuring panoramic windows, a wet bar, dining table, and separate bedroom. Bourbon Street, Canal Street, the Superdome, and Warehouse Arts District are all within a 5 to 12-minute walk. Plus, The Troubadour is pet friendly!
Until next time!
Look at those gorgeous shelf talkers! Thank you to BookPeople for sharing their brilliant recommendations with us. We’ll see you soon to visit another reader-recommended bookshop, this time in Brookline, MA.
Happy reading!
Francesca
P.S. Found your next read? Please forward this email to anyone who you think might enjoy a little more bookish content in their inbox.
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