RE: https://kind.social/@EnfysBook/116556311346782242

Oh hey - this is tomorrow! Come say hi! I'll have two brand-new zines available! #BookSigning #OldEllicottCity #OECPridefest

Summer Solstice & Storytelling: How to Keep Your Book Club Hot All Season

Before we dive into the art of the summer gather, let’s talk about the essentials. A great book club is nothing without a stellar reading list. We’ve curated a selection of works that are as vibrant and compelling as a Georgia sunset.

The Summer Essential Reading List:

• Judge Stone by Viola Davis & James Patterson
• Ghalen: A Romance in Black by Walter Mosley
• The Revelation of Dionne Daphne by Mara Brock Akil
• The Healing Pulpit by Cedrick Von Jackson
• The Rough Side of the Mountain by Keisha Lance Bottoms
• Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
• Score by Kennedy Ryan

Summer in Atlanta is more than just a season; it’s a mood. It’s the scent of blooming jasmine, the rhythmic hum of the cicadas, and the way the city slows down just enough to let us catch our breath. But for the modern bibliophile, summer also presents a unique challenge: the “Vacation Void.” Between the trips to the coast and the family reunions, keeping your book club’s momentum can feel like chasing the sun.

At Urbane Renaissance Society we believe the city is your salon. We don’t just host meetings; we curate experiences that celebrate storytelling and the intellectual beauty of our community.

Connect.

Ultimately, a summer book club is about Homecoming. It’s about creating a space where intellectual curiosity meets warm hospitality. Whether you are discussing the heavy themes of The Healing Pulpit or the romance in Ghalen, the goal is to leave the meeting feeling more connected to your community than when you arrived.

So, grab your straw hat, your favorite novel from our list, and find a shaded spot in the city. The sun is out, the books are open, and the conversation is just getting started.

Ready to join a community that values your voice? Check out our upcoming calendar for the next pop-up literary soiree. We can’t wait to see you there.

As an Amazon associate Urbane Renaissance Society earns from qualifying purchases

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Schedule.

Summer is the season of the spontaneous, so your scheduling needs to be strategic. Don’t fight the vacation calendar; dance with it.

Instead of a rigid “third Thursday” rule, try a Summer Anchor Date. Pick one major weekend in July and one in August. If you can’t get the whole crew together, don’t cancel! Host a “Mini-Soiree” for whoever is in town. Small, intimate gatherings often spark the deepest conversations.

Pro-Tip: Utilize polls early in May to lock in dates. Once it’s on the calendar with a “Save the Date” that looks like a high-end invitation, people are much more likely to prioritize it.

Gather.

The “City is Your Salon” means stepping out of the living room and into the atmosphere. Atlanta is teeming with picturesque, high-quality spaces that feel like an extension of your own chic aesthetic.

• Garden Aesthetics: Think private courtyards or the lush corners of Piedmont Park. There is something incredibly sophisticated about discussing Walter Mosley while surrounded by the greenery of the South.
• Rooftop Elegance: Many Midtown residents have access to stunning rooftops. A sunset view of the skyline paired with a chilled glass of Rosé is the ultimate backdrop for cultural events in Atlanta.
• The Porch Revival: Never underestimate the power of a historic West End or Cascade porch. It’s breezy, communal, and perfectly “Atlanta.”

Curate.

To make your meeting a true literary soiree, focus on the sensory details. We want our guests to relax and delight in the moment.

• Taste: Serve light, chilled fare. Think seasonal fruit, artisanal cheeses, and a signature cocktail (or mocktail) named after a character in your book.
• Sound: A curated playlist of neo-soul or soft jazz creates a “fashionable” and “relaxed fit” atmosphere.
• Touch: Ensure seating is comfortable. If you’re in a park, high-quality blankets and floor cushions are a must.

The Do’s of Summer Hosting

• DO embrace the “Paris in Atlanta” vibe. Whether it’s a themed tablescape or a nod to global Black excellence, make it feel like an escape.
• DO provide “Cliff Notes” or discussion prompts. In the summer, some people might only get halfway through the book: make them feel welcome anyway! The goal is fellowship and shared culture.
• DO take plenty of photos. Documenting the joy of Black readers is an act of resistance and a celebration of our narrative.
• DO keep it breathable. Encourage a “Summer Chic” dress code: linens, sundresses, and stylish hats.

The Don’ts: The Sacred Space of the Author

When hosting an author or a special guest, there is a fine line between organization and gatekeeping. At Urbane Renaissance Society, we believe in the power of the personal connection.

• DON’T gatekeep the author. This is the ultimate “No-Go.” Your guests aren’t coming to a lecture; they are coming to a conversation.
• DON’T force a “Facilitator-Only” dialogue. There is nothing more frustrating for a guest than listening to a middleman talk to the author for an hour while they sit in silence. The magic happens when the audience can ask their own questions and share their own reflections.
• DON’T refuse personal autographs. If a guest brings their own “guest book” or a cherished copy of the work, allow the author to sign it. That personal touch is what builds a lifelong reader.
• DON’T prevent photos. In our digital age, a photo with an author is a badge of honor. Let your guests capture the moment. It’s part of the celebration of Black storytelling.

Enjoy the season. Relax into the rhythm. Read with purpose.

I

What do you look for in an author book signings?

* Listening to the author read a passage from the book
* One-on-one conversation with the author
* Behind-the-scenes tidbits
* Giveaways
* Anything else

Let me know in the comments, please! I've got my first signing coming up in a couple of weeks, and I'm trying to prepare. . .

#AmWriting #BookSigning #AuthorEvents

If you like board games, you'll LOVE this #Tallahassee #bookstore where I'm signing copies of DROWNING IN DECEPTION next month!

I'll be at My Favorite Books, located in the courtyard next to WinnDixie on Magnolia St., from 10 AM until noon, on Saturday, June 13. Stop by and say hi, and enjoy some surprises.

#BookSigning #DrowningInDeception #mystery #event

Next month, I'll be doing a book signing for DROWNING IN DECEPTION in this adorable bookshop/cafe in #Tallahassee, Florida! More details to come.

#BookSigning #EdgyCozyMystery #LilyGallagherMysteries #AmWriting #Whodunnit

⚓ Today’s the Day, Adventure Awaits! ⚓ Join local author Kristi Copeland Beyer for TWO exciting in-person signing events today!

☕ 10:00 AM – The Happy Tree Cafe 825 Westside Hwy, Kelso, WA
📚 1:00 PM – Vault Books & Brew 20 Cowlitz St W, Castle Rock, WA

Kids (and kids at heart), come enjoy pirate fun, meet the author, grab a signed book, and get your picture taken with the Captain! 🏴‍☠️📸

#CastleRockWA #KelsoWA #BookSigning #FamilyAdventure #SupportLocalAuthors #CaptainScalleyWag

🚨 Today’s the Day, Cowlitz County! 🚨 Set sail for adventure with local author Kristi Copeland Beyer at TWO fun family events today!

📚 10:00 AM – Children’s Discovery Museum 404 Long Ave, Kelso, WA
📚 3:00 PM – Storyboard Delights 1339 Commerce Ave Ste 103, Longview, WA

Bring the kids (and kids at heart) for storytime, book signing, and a chance to get your picture taken with the Captain! 🏴‍☠️📸

#CowlitzCounty #KelsoWA #LongviewWA #FamilyFun #BookSigning #SupportLocalAuthors #CaptainScalleyWag

Bloom Where You Read: A Springtime Love Letter to Books

There’s something sacred about spring—the way the air softens, the light lingers a little longer, and everything begins again. It’s a season that invites us to stretch, to breathe deeper, to rediscover ourselves. And what better companion for that renewal than a good book?

Reading isn’t just a pastime—it’s a quiet reset. It’s rest. It’s reflection. It’s reclaiming time in a world that so often moves too fast. This spring, let reading be your soft place to land.

Romance in the Ritual

Imagine this: a warm breeze brushing against your skin, a cozy blanket spread across fresh grass, and a novel resting gently in your hands. Whether it’s on your porch, at the park, or curled up by an open window, spring creates the perfect backdrop for intentional reading.

Make it a ritual. Brew your favorite tea. Light a candle that smells like blooming jasmine or citrus. Turn your reading time into a moment that feels like it belongs only to you.

Stories That Speak to You

Spring is also a beautiful time to explore stories that reflect your curiosity and imagination. Seek out authors and genres that expand your perspective—stories that feel immersive, comforting, or even a little transformative.

Whether you’re diving into contemporary fiction, memoirs, romance, or fantasy, let your bookshelf bloom with voices that inspire and captivate.

Reading as Rest, Not Hustle

Not every book needs to be a productivity tool. You don’t have to read to “get ahead.” This season, give yourself permission to read slowly, to reread passages, to pause and simply feel. Let reading be an act of rest—free from pressure, rooted in enjoyment.

Build Your Spring Reading Circle

There’s something special about sharing stories with others. Start a small book club, even if it’s just a couple of friends. Gather virtually or in person. Talk about the characters like they’re real. Laugh, debate, reflect.

Reading together creates connection—and connection is its own kind of bloom.

Let Yourself Be Transformed

Spring reminds us that change can be gentle. That growth doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. The right book, at the right time, can shift something within you—open your heart, affirm your path, or simply offer a moment of peace.

So step into the season with intention. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read. Carve out a moment just for you. Let the pages turn as the flowers bloom.

You deserve this softness. You deserve this space. You deserve stories that stay with you.

Happy Spring—and happy reading.

As an Amazon associate Urbane Renaissance Society earns from qualifying purchases