We had a very good time in Austin, even if it was just a short visit. Aside from seeing some friends I also had a chance to go check out Stitch, a craft experience extravaganza. I was tempted by a lot of products but only bought one Frida Kahlo pendant that I had to have.

After the crafty stuff it was time to go visit two of my favorite indie bookstores, Bookwoman and Book People. I love wandering around in these stores… I can spend hours checking out the cards, bookmarks, posters, and of course the books. Everything about them is just fantastic. I got a few goodies; a blank journal, Venus Zine, Tin House, and a copy of Rain Taxi, while my husband spent a small fortune on some design magazines.

And, of course we had to stop at a cafe at one point to relax, get some caffeine and read a bit. The Christmas music was playing, I was reading Hercule Poirot’s Christmas and it would have been so perfect except that outside the temperature was around 80 degrees. Ah, Texas weather for you.

Did you see the new button over on my sidebar? It’s almost time for the second annual Love of Reading virtual book fair. The great team of FSB Associates, who I review books for on occasion, is hosting this event again as a celebration for the online book community. Now I don’t feel so bad about not having gone to the Texas Book Festival last week. I can still get my fill of a book festival somehow.

Also, recently I have been enjoying some Loaded Questions. Kelly Hewitt interviews authors from different fiction and non-fiction genres.

And have you heard of Unshelved? How come I’d never seen this! It’s a comic strip set in a public library. Of course the hero’s name is Dewey. That is just too fun.

Hope you enjoy those links. I am off to Austin on Saturday for a little weekend getaway. I can’t wait to see one of my best friends, hang out at a yummy cafe and visit Book People.