4 Local Literary Venues

Every summer we include some literary travel spots in our family vacation. However, this year, I decided to also spotlight some local (within approximately 30 miles of my house) locations. I love that there are so many small business owners able to celebrate their love of literature.

1. The Book Nook Inn: We attended a Steampunk themed wedding here. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing with various buildings and bedrooms themed after different time periods, a pool, a game room, water hole for fishing, a movie room, seating areas with a fireplace, a gypsy wagon, balconies, porches, gazebos, libraries, and decor that changes with the seasons. There is also an event center that offers a variety of indoor and outdoor possibilities for your gathering. Located in Lumberton, Texas and run by the sweetest couple, I highly recommend this charming inn whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or planning that special occasion. https://booknookinn.com/ 

2. Boss Lady Books: This locally owned company is also located in Lumberton, Texas. While I have not been yet myself, I had a friend recently recommend this locale. Part bookstore and part event center, this shop looks amazing and I can't wait to check it out. https://boss-lady-books.square.site/

3. Fleur Fine Books: I gave a book signing here once (click the tag below to see that post), and I've been back multiple times to purchase books I couldn't find in other locations. I love that a local seller can provide what I desire and the money stays in my community. They have a location in Port Neches and another in Galveston. While I have not been to the Galveston location, the local one is located in an old church. Both are run by another sweet couple.  https://www.fleurfinebooks.com/

4. The Charmed Page: Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana I believe this one has only been open for a few months. A friend recently made me aware of this new location when I ran into her at the bank. While most of their books are new, they do offer several shelves of used books in a variety of genres for approximately a dollar each. They also host a variety of events and had some of the cutest decor that has now inspired my own classroom decor for this upcoming school year. https://charmedpagebooks.com/

How about you? Have you been to any great literary locales lately? Do you know of any small business owners you could support locally?

Adding to Our Literary Travels

This is the time of year that my family starts planning and taking trips. We all enjoy traveling, the sun, and being together.

Of course, I usually try to work in a few literary stops along the way. Anything from where an author stayed or lived, to towns or building mentioned in favorite stories are options on my list. Our travels usually inspire my own writing as well. We haven't decided for sure what we are doing this summer yet, although several options have been shared.

However, we did make a trip to Orlando in March to visit Disney and Universal. One of our stops at Disney Springs included a visit to an Irish Pub: Raglan Road. This is a table-service restaurant that serves Irish fare in a festive atmosphere. The restaurant has been a mainstay, and one of the most popular locations in Disney Springs, since opening there in 2005. Yet few know its name actually comes from a poem by Irish author Patrick Kavanagh. Here is a link to that wonderful poem: "On Raglan Road". The poem also refers to the "Queen of Hearts" which I found interesting.

Below you can see a few other literary inspired wanderings:

Literary Travels:

The Haunted Book Shop

Six Authors and Their Literary Stops in California

10 Literary Stops in San Antonio

17 New Orleans French Quarter Literary Hot Spots
26 Days of Literary Scotland
7 Austin, Texas Literary Locations
10 Italian Literary Hot Spots
10 Places You Can Drink Like Your Favorite Writer
10 Reading Venues Worth a Visit
7 Literary Locations to Visit With Kids
5 Writers Homes for Literary Vacations
Poe Museum

How about you? Do you enjoy travel? What have been some of your favorite locales? Have any of them inspired your own stories? Have you been to Raglan Road of read the poem?

Literary Travels

I have recently returned from vacation with my family. We used to enjoy a lot of road trips together. This is the first one we have taken since 2019 and the pandemic. In honor of my love for travel and literature, I thought I'd share:

Literary Travels:

10 Literary Stops in San Antonio
The Haunted Book Shop
6 Authors and Their Literary Stops in Southern California
17 New Orleans French Quarter Literary Hot Spots
26 Days of Literary Scotland
7 Austin, Texas Literary Locations
10 Italian Literary Hot Spots
10 Places You Can Drink Like Your Favorite Writer
10 Reading Venues Worth a Visit
7 Literary Locations to Visit With Kids
5 Writers Homes for Literary Vacations
Poe Museum
Presidential Library Visits

10 Literary Stops in San Antonio

I often plan vacations around my love for reading, writing, and history. Then I share my literary travels with you. (See a list of my previous literary travel posts at the end of this story.) This year, we spent time in San Antonio. While I have been here many times to visit friends and family, this was the first time I focused more on the literary offerings of the area.

The seventh most populous city in the US, second in the south, offers many historical and literary delights for tourists as well as locals to enjoy.

The Menger Hotel - Located directly next to the Alamo, this site is designated a Literary Landmark by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, the Menger Hotel has hosted a number of literary legends since it opened in 1859 including “The Picture of Dorian Gray” author Oscar Wilde, “The Gift of the Magi” author O. Henry, Confederate soldier and poet Sidney Lanier and “Dinner at Antoine’s” author Frances Parkinson Keyes, as well as many others. It is even said that Robert Frost contemplated his famous poem “The Road Not Taken” during several stays here. This hotel also has a hauntingly wonderous offering for anyone interested in tales of the paranormal. We took a highly enjoyable ghost tour of the hotel, which is said to be haunted by no less than 37 ghosts - including President Teddy Roosevelt. I highly recommend this tour, or one of the city ghosts tours for anyone interested in historical sites and tales. 

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Library - Special Collections - we took my daughters on a tour of this campus. While many places were under construction the John Peace Library is home to an extensive collection of research materials documenting the diverse histories and development of San Antonio and South Texas. Its nationally recognized collection of more than 1,500 Mexican cookbook titles includes a selection of handwritten cookbooks, as well as a copy of the first cookbook printed in Mexico, giving an intimate view of Mexican culinary culture. Visit the website for information on public viewing of the collection.

San Antonio Book Festival - The San Antonio Book Festival attracts bibliophiles from far and wide for a day-long celebration of reading, writing and imagination. Held at the San Antonio Central Library and nearby Southwest School of Art, this free event brings books to life through author presentations, cooking demonstrations, innovative panel discussions and book sales and signings. A great event for families, attendees will find children’s theater performances, a technology area, interactive art and play stations and a selection of San Antonio cuisine from some of the city’s best food trucks.

Gemini Ink - For budding writers, San Antonio’s leading literary nonprofit Gemini Ink offers creative writing workshops led by published writers, in addition to free public readings by nationally and internationally recognized authors and open-mic nights throughout the year. The annual Gemini Ink Writers Conference offers a full schedule of workshops, readings, panel presentations and a small press book fair.

San Antonio Library - The 240,000 square-foot San Antonio Central Library was designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta and opened in 1995. The brightly colored downtown building is a bold departure from traditional library design and is easily spotted thanks to its signature “enchilada red” exterior. In addition to an expansive art gallery, the Central Library is home to the recently expanded Latino Collection and Resource Center, the Texana/Genealogy Department and the BookCellar, a used book store operated by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library.

Landa Library - Located in the charming Monte Vista historic neighborhood, the Landa Library originally served as the private residence of Harry and Hannah Landa. Built in 1929, the gorgeous Italian-style stucco home features ornate ironwork and mosaic tiles throughout. Following Hannah’s passing in 1942, Harry bequeathed the home and the surrounding five acres to the City of San Antonio for a public library and playground. The library celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017 with a major interior and exterior renovation and continues to serve as a dreamy escape for readers of all ages.

The Twig Book Shop - Since 1972, The Twig has been a destination for book lovers in San Antonio with a vast collection for children and adults ranging from newly released bestsellers to award-winning classics. Located in the popular Pearl district, The Twig frequently hosts regionally and nationally acclaimed authors for readings and book signings, as well as a weekly story time for kids. The shop’s extensive Texana section is a must-see for history buffs. (The Twig is also a great place to find books published by San Antonio-based Trinity University Press.)

Cheever Books - This is the place for those seeking rare and unusual finds. This cozy shop along the Broadway Cultural Corridor is stacked from floor to ceiling with first editions, leather bound classics and captivating novels. Get lost in their sprawling stacks or ask a knowledgeable staff member for help finding a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Magik Theatre - Young bookworms can see some of their favorite stories come to life with whimsical performances by this professional troupe, which produces live stage versions of children’s classics and contemporary literature in the historic Beethoven Hall at Hemisfair Park. The Magik Theatre also offers an introduction to theatre for children ages zero to five with its Theatre for the Very Young series and smaller, sensory-friendly performances for patrons on the autism spectrum.

Hotel Emma - Housed in a former brewery built in the 1800’s, the Hotel Emma is infused with rich detail, but of all the splendid touches, none is sure to delight readers as much as the property’s dazzling library.  A respite from today’s technology-driven world, the library houses a selection of historic brewing books from the Pearl Brewery collection and a diverse 3,700-piece collection acquired from novelist and cultural anthropologist Sherry Kafka Wagner.

We had a wonderful vacation with a large portion of our family. There are so many other literary and historical worthy sites to visit in San Antonio as well. 

What about you? Are there any sites in San Antonio you recommend? Did you go anywhere exciting this summer?

Other Literary Travels:

The Haunted Book Shop

6 Authors and Their Literary Stops in Southern California

17 New Orleans French Quarter Literary Hot Spots
26 Days of Literary Scotland
7 Austin, Texas Literary Locations
10 Italian Literary Hot Spots
10 Places You Can Drink Like Your Favorite Writer
10 Reading Venues Worth a Visit
7 Literary Locations to Visit With Kids
5 Writers Homes for Literary Vacations
Poe Museum
Presidential Library Visits

6 Authors and Their Literary Stops in Southern California

Known for its abundance of sunshine and movie stars, Southern California has also offered many writers inspiration with its unique environments and colorful array of people.

1) F. Scott Fitzgerald - there are two distinct places that bear his presence. The first is his West Hollywood home at 1443 N. Hayworth Avenue in West Hollywood. More than a decade after publishing The Great Gatsby, "The Great American Novel," Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood hoping a career in screenwriting would bring him the continued success and lavish lifestyle he and Zelda so loved. Unfortunately, he died broke just a couple of years later following another heart attack. The second is Gatsby Books at 5535 E Spring St. in Long Beach. Inspired by Fitzgeralds legacy, this new and used bookstore offers complimentary coffee, a generous selection of Fitzgerald work, frequents readings, and other literary events.

2) Ray Bradbury -  this Los Angeles resident got his start at age 14 writing for George Burns. As if that wasn't impressive enough this scifi author went on to bring the public some of the most memorable tales of the genre. If you're in the area and want to feel close to this beloved author, spend some time in Clifton's Cafeteria at 648 S Broadway in Los Angeles, CA. Bradbury ate many lunches and dinners here. In the 1930s, the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society held meetings in their Brown Room, indulging in soul food and discussing weird science. Bradbury continued to visit Clifton's over the years, even celebrated his 89th birthday here. Today, you can visit his booth on the third floor and admire memorabilia that Bradbury's family donated.

3) Steve Martin - his first job was at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Located just two miles from his house Martin started out selling guidebooks, keeping $.02 for every book he sold. He graduated to the Magic Shop on Main Street, where he got his first taste of the gags that would later make his career. He also learned the rope tricks you see in ¡Three Amigos! from a rope wrangler over in Frontierland. Martin later landed his first writing gig for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He began rubbing elbows with and learning from a number of other well known writers including a brief relationship with Hollywood IT girl Eve Babitz.

4) Eve Babitz - notorious for indulging in drugs and romantic conquests (including Jim Morrison, Steve Martin, and Harrison Ford to name just a few) Babitz still resides in Hollywood. Ports (now called Jones)7205 Santa Monica Blvd.; Los Angeles, CA was a favorite hangout for the author who was said to have come in around noon on most days to have food, trade pills with others, and continue on to enjoy the evenings. The Beverly Hills Hotel 9641 Sunset Blvd.; Beverly Hills, CA 90210 was also frequently visited by Babitz with her variety of lovers.

5) Charles Bukowski - born in Germany, Bukowski was about as "L.A." as a writer could get. He's most known as an alcoholic, a misogynist, and a reckless gambling man. However, his work reveals a tenderness, love, and pain not always expressed in his daily life. De Longpre Apartment at 5124 De Longrpre Ave.; Los Angeles, CA is where he lived from 1964 to 1973 "somewhere between alcoholism and madness." It's also wheret he completed seven novels, including Factotum. The Santa Anita Racetrack at 285 Huntington Dr.; Arcadia, CA. Bukowski loved his horses. He was a gambling man, and life at the tracks was a common theme throughout his career. He spent many drunken afternoons at the Santa Anita Park, betting on the horses. His ex-wife Linda has hinted that this may be the reason why the nearby Huntington Library displays some of his original work. The King Eddy at 131 E 5th St.; Los Angeles, CA - he was a regular at countless watering holes reaching beyond L.A.'s city limits. Some of his old haunts included Cole's and the Frolic Room. (He even had a delivery system set up at the Pink Elephant Liquor Storewhen he lived in Los Feliz.) However, Bukowski wasn't always an admired poet who was welcome in bars. It was here, in Skid Row, that he'd plant himself and wash down his troubles with countless beers.

6) Joan Didion - While Didion was raised in Sacramento, she made L.A. her home after kicking her career off at Vogue magazine in New York. From personal essays to novels to political journalism, her writing is as eclectic and extensive as Southern California itself. At the age of 84, she continues to produce noteworthy works while looking back at her success and loss itself. House in Hollywood at 7406 Franklin Ave.; Los Angeles, CA 90046. A friend of Didion's described this area of Hollywood as a "senseless killing neighborhood;" perhaps this was an omen for the nearby Manson murders that were to come. Didion lived here with her late husband, John Dunne, and their daughter while penning The White Album. She lived in a constant state of horror, as reflected in her writing, until she moved up the coast with her family in 1971. The Freeway - seriously. When you live in Southern California, you learn to live with the freeway, to accept your time on it, and it becomes part of your daily landscape. As Carolyn Kellogg stated, "Writers who know Los Angeles... have done some of their best writing about freeways. Think Joan Didion in her novel Play It as It Lays... The rhythm of Los Angeles's roads has seeped into its decentralized heart, into the minds of writers for decades, and you, too, will hear it as your wheels spin and spin and spin." Try driving down the 405 to San Diego, or head northbound on the 101. You'll see that the freeway becomes a character in and of itself.

7) Bonus - interested in a few more modern authors and reads from Southern California? Check out: 
5 Powerful Books by 5 Powerful Southern California Women 
The 10 Contemporary L.A. Writers You Should Know
10 Contemporary Californian Writers to Know
27 Books to Read If You're California Dreamin'

The Haunted Book Shop

Every summer I make sure to include some kind of literary stop in my vacation. Last week I came across a truly enjoyable find.

The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama was a surprising delight. The original namesake was created in 1941 by Adelaide Marston (later Adelaide Trigg) and Cameron Plummer and named for their favorite book, The Haunted Book Shop, by Christopher Morley. 

The Haunted Bookshop is not a novel of  the supernatural. Rather, the name refers to the ghosts of the past that haunt all libraries and bookstores: "the ghosts of all great literature." - Christopher Morley

The current bookstore’s owner, Angela Trigg, is the granddaughter of Adelaide Trigg and knows that the store is “..haunted by the ghosts of all great literature.”

She’s also been moonlighting as a romance author, writing under the pen name Angela Quarles. She is a RWA RITA® award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, time travel, and steampunk romance.

This charming store is full of interesting finds, tidbits, and more. Wall displays offer interesting breakdowns and ties between genre stories, authors, and timelines.

Sticky Notes can be found around the store pointing out interesting information about the plots, cover designs, and more.

Themed rugs adorn each genre section of the store. And a writer's room mimics a dream home office complete with shelves full of books on craft.

To learn more about Trigg and this delightful bookstore, you can visit:  https://thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/

For other ideas on fun Literary Travels:

17 New Orleans French Quarter Literary Hot Spots
26 Days of Literary Scotland
7 Austin, Texas Literary Locations
10 Italian Literary Hot Spots
10 Places You Can Drink Like Your Favorite Writer
10 Reading Venues Worth a Visit
7 Literary Locations to Visit With Kids
5 Writers Homes for Literary Vacations
Poe Museum

How about you? Have you found any great literary spots you would recommend while traveling?

Literary Travels and Inspiration

This is the time of year that my family starts planning and taking trips. We all enjoy traveling, the sun, and being together.

Of course, I usually try to work in a few literary stops along the way. Anything from where an author stayed or lived, to towns or building mentioned in favorite stories are options on my list. Our travels usually inspire my own writing as well. We haven't decided for sure what we are doing this year yet, although several options have been shared.

Below you can see a few of our literary inspired wanderings:

Literary Travels:
17 New Orleans French Quarter Literary Hot Spots
26 Days of Literary Scotland
7 Austin, Texas Literary Locations
10 Italian Literary Hot Spots
10 Places You Can Drink Like Your Favorite Writer
10 Reading Venues Worth a Visit
7 Literary Locations to Visit With Kids
5 Writers Homes for Literary Vacations
Poe Museum

How about you? Do you enjoy travel? What have been some of your favorite locales? Have any of them inspired your own stories?