#22in22 – The Grateful Reader

Book Store Visit #2

BLUE WILLOW BOOK SHOP-HOUSTON, TEXAS

I’ve followed this book shop for a few years now. Author Katherine Center’s hometown is Houston, so I’ve ordered her signed books from the Blue Willow. As part of the #22in22challenge, I planned a visit to Blue Willow on my way from Dallas to Galveston. (Those book store visits are coming soon!) Valerie and her wonderful staff welcomed me and showed me the layout of the store: From the left side, board books and children’s books, moving to middle grades & young adult in the middle, then adult fiction and nonfiction on the right. I had recently seen Adriana Trigiani’s interview with Mitch Albom on Adriana INk on FB and decided that would be my purchase at the Blue Willow. The books featured on the table are from local book clubs, which I loved seeing! So many I had read/reviewed, but a lot I hadn’t. As Katherine Center says, “READ FOR JOY!

Read all about Blue Willow and Valerie’s story of how the name came to be-Blue Willow- the Newbery Award Winner or the dishes? “I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since Blue Willow first opened its doors. Our first storytime friends are coming home from college, and our American Girl Club girls have children of their own.

I’m reminded of a quote we have on our wall, hidden among the 750+ author signatures: “And so it goes”.

Here’s to many more years of books and friendship. Valerie” https://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/about-us

https://adrianatrigiani.com/home/ Look for Adriana Trigiani Author on FB-Live interviews on Tuesday evenings!

Mitchell David Albom is an American author, journalist, and musician. His books have sold over 39 million copies worldwide. Having achieved national recognition for sports writing in his early career, he is perhaps best known for the inspirational stories and themes that weave through his books, plays, and films.

Visit 22 Bookstores in 2022!

Book Shop Visit #1

As an Ambassador for the new Zibby Books, @zibbybooks I’ve taken the challenge to visit 22 bookstores in the coming year. You can take the challenge, too! Visit http://www.22in22.net for all the details. Click “I’m In” on the homepage and read all the great reasons to accept the challenge! Let me know if you join in! I’d love to see and read about your book shop visits.

Here’s my first visit AND my review of The First Emma by Camille di Maio, with photos of San Antonio, Texas, from an earlier blog post. I loved the story of Emma Koehler and admired how she saved the Pearl Brewing Company after the murder of her husband, Otto Koehler! What a woman! I’ve wanted to visit the Hotel Emma in the Pearl District ever since!