The Sunday Spiral is arriving late because this was a very big week.

I’ve been excited about Christina Lauren’s newest book, The Romance Revival, partly because it’s a new Christina Lauren book and partly because I was going to see them in person.

Friday night was the big night. My friends and I piled into the car and drove almost four hours to Kansas City for the event, and they did not disappoint. They also brought Ali Hazelwood, Julie Soto, and Susan Lee with them.

I laughed so much, and now I need to read every book Susan Lee has written because she seemed genuinely delightful. She was essentially a golden retriever in human form or maybe Bob Barker take your pick. 

This made me go down a google rabbit hole for other author events within driving distance. As long as all of these events bring this energy and fun I am here for it. 

I hate not knowing everything people are talking about. When the authors mentioned Ali Hazelwood’s BTS obsession and her deep dive of fanfiction on AO3 I now feel like I need an account and to read all the things. 

Of course, we also stopped bookstores on the way to Kansas City and then about four more while there. I can’t say whether seven is too many or not enough, but I can confirm that I am exhausted. And that driving somewhere means more room for books.

We also stopped at IKEA, where I showed remarkable restraint by not buying more bookshelves. Mostly because they would not fit in the car.

Twenty-seven books later, I’m home.

One of those stops was Under the Cover, a romance bookstore, and it made me want to visit more specialty bookstores. Now I want to find mystery bookstores so Michelle can experience the same dangerous lack of restraint, except with significantly more murder.

What did I learn from visiting all those bookstores? That every indie has it’s own personality and maybe a store dog or cat. I love stores with shelf talkers and how each store displays books differently. Books are a love language and indie bookstores really like to spread the love to the world. 

And of course we went to the multistory Barnes & Noble. They always feel familiar and if you didn’t remember what city you were in you might forget. While indie bookstores are all so different you won’t forget where you are. 

I’m now home with 27 new books, at least one new tote bag, a possible AO3 account, and more trips to plan. Also, I still need more bookshelves.