Reading Around Town: Royal Street Round-Up
Happy May, dear readers! As we swing into the gorgeous weather of spring, it’s hard to believe that just a few months ago we were buried under seemingly endless mountains of dusty cardboard. These days we’re embracing the sunshine at our gorgeous new location. We’ve been having a fantastic time connecting with our regular and new customers alike, chatting about favorite authors, forthcoming releases, book clubs, and more. In the spirit of book loving community, we reached out to some of our new neighbors here on South Royal Street. Check out their recommendations below and be sure to give them a visit next time you’re in Old Town!
Old Town Music School (120 S Royal St)
Julie Zupan, Founder & Director
What are some of your favorite recent reads?
Atomic Habits, Cozy White Cottage, We Belong to Each Other, This is How it Always Is, Hillbilly Elegy
Photo courtesy of Old Town Music School
Where is your favorite place to read in Old Town?
On the Adirondacks in front of Old Town Music School or any lovely bench in Old Town!
Where can our readers find you online?
www.OldTownMusicSchool.com
Instagram @OldTownMusicSchool
Facebook: @OldTownMusicSchool
Alexandria & Company (121 S Royal St)
Meaghan Foran, Owner, Creative Director, & Director of Operations
Tim Shaheen, Owner, Goldsmith, and Principal Designer
Janay Kittrell, Assistant Workshop Manager
What are some of your favorite recent reads?
Janay: I haven't had time to read for fun in years while I have been working on my Master's degree (haha), but one of my favorite books from undergrad was The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
Tim: The Witch Elm by Tana French, which I stole from Meaghan after she finished it.
Meaghan: I loved Exhalation by Ted Chiang. I didn't realize Science Fiction could be so beautiful.
Where is your favorite place to read in Old Town?
Janay: I'm still new to the area so I don't have a favorite spot yet!
Tim: In bed, right before turning off the light.
Meaghan: Before I had a child, I used to go to the cemetery/courtyard at Christ Church and read. It's a beautiful and quiet spot right in the middle of Old Town. Now, the days of reading outside by myself are long gone...
Where can our readers find you online?
www.alxandcompany.com
Instagram: @alxandcompany
Photo courtesy of Fontaine
Fontaine Caffe & Creperie (119 S Royal St)
Stacey Wharam, Manager
What are some of your favorite recent reads?
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and What I Know About Running Coffee Shops by Colin Harmon
Where is your favorite place to read in Old Town?
Fontaine Caffe Coffee Shop
Where can our readers find you online?
www.fontainebistro.com
Instagram: @fontainecaffe
Facebook: @FontaineCaffe
Shannon Mullins & Wright LLP (124 S Royal St)
What are some of your favorite recent reads?
Inspired by the handwritten recommendation she read in-store, Erin Metzger fell in love with her first purchase from Old Town Books: The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson. Meghan Szejner recently finished Educated, by Tara Westover, and is excited to start reading her first purchase from Old Town Books, The Bees by Laline Paull. Alison Mullins enjoys reading to her twins; How to Catch a Unicorn, by Adam Wallace, has been their most recent bedtime favorite!
Where is your favorite place to read in Old Town?
In front of the City Hall building, tucked away on one of the benches surrounded by flowers. It feels like a little bit of an escape from the workday and the bustle around you.
Where can our readers find you online?
www.smw.law
Facebook: @shannonmullinsandwright
LinkedIn: Shannon Mullins and Wright LLP
Boxwood (128 S Royal St)
Leah Donahue, Owner
What are some of your favorite recent reads?
For the past year, I've been distracted by the outer world so murder mysteries have captured my attention the most. I loved the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French and anything by Lucy Foley. I also devoured like a teenager all eight Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn. On the more thoughtful side, after the last page I couldn't stop thinking about Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. One of the top ten books of my 15-year-old book club has been Station Eleven. So I was excited to read the latest from Emily St. John Mandel, The Glass Hotel. It did not disappoint.
Where is your favorite place to read in Old Town?
Outside my kids bedrooms at night is the honest answer. But probably Mischa's.
Where can our readers find you online?
www.boxwoodoldtown.com
Instagram: @boxwoodoldtown
Many thanks to our new neighbors for sharing some of their current reads. We’re grateful to be joining such a welcoming and generous community here on South Royal Street!
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Additional photos by Nicole Blair.