Miscellaneous Bookish Updates

This week I am writing about a number of miscellaneous bookish things that I want to share with you. 

More book recommending: Late last week, I was on Houston Life again to recommend 5 engaging summer reads. I chose two from my Summer Reading Guide and then three new ones that I had completed and enjoyed since the Guide went live. I am always a little nervous right before the segment starts but then once we begin chatting, it is a lot of fun to discuss books with Derrick and Lauren on Houston Life.

Leave a book, grab a book: For the Nov. 2021 issue of The Buzz, I wrote an article highlighting various Little Free Libraries in the area. I have received so many nice emails about the article and several photos of some Buzz residents’ LFLs that I look forward to visiting soon. If you have not read it yet, check it out here and keep your eye out for these little libraries around your neighborhood. If you come across one, leave a book and grab a book! I am constantly restocking mine in Southside if you are looking for something to read.

Gathering together: The Conversations from a Page literary salon that I host with my cofounder Krista Hensel has had a big year so far, hosting Jane Harper in February and Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai in March. Next week, we host Houstonian Kristen Bird for her book I Love It When You Lie and Texan Julia Heaberlin for her latest Night Will Find You. Julia’s book is being turned into a TV show on Fox. Both books are thrillers and fabulous reads, and I am really looking forward to chatting with them next Tuesday evening. If you would like to attend, you can sign up here.

Southside Book Club: Southside has a neighborhood book club run by Nicole Anderson, and we met on Tuesday night. I recommended 8 summer reads and then everyone in the group gave their recommendations. It was such a nice evening with neighbors. If you are on the neighborhood and are looking for a book club, let us know!

Cindy and Annabel Monaghan recently were "in conversation" at Blue Willow chatting about Annabel's new book, Same Time Next Summer.

Author interview: Last week, I interviewed the delightful Annabel Monaghan at Blue Willow Bookshop for her latest book Same Time Next Summer (which is a wonderful vacation read). There was quite the crowd, and Annabel entertained them all. Blue Willow has a great lineup of author events this summer if you want a break from the heat.

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram. Find upcoming Conversations from a Page events here.