I made a quick dash over to New Orleans to visit The Garden District Book Shop. Any excuse to go to New Orleans is great, but a visit to this well-known book loving shop was incredible.
I’m so happy they will be carrying “Exploding Hushpuppies, More Stories from Home.”
I’ve been to The Garden District Book Shop many times as a shopper, but this was the first time as a real-life bona fide author! The shop is in the beautiful Garden District, so I rode the St. Charles Streetcar out that way and walked a couple of blocks to the store.
They carry a great selection of books, with many of the authors being from the Gulf Coast area. Of course, I saw a large collection of one of New Orleans’ favorite authors, Anne Rice.
Still using safe social distancing practices, TGDBS hosts many online events. You can view them on their YouTube page.
I had to pick up one of their T-shirts with signatures of famous authors, and told the manager, Amy Loewy, “I think I’ll get a red Sharpie and add my name to this shirt.” She laughed and said, “I’m sure it won’t be the first time someone has done that!”
I wasn’t joking. Right next to Pat Conroy, baby! Dream big – someone, somewhere once said.
New Orleans was quieter than usual, but throughout the day, pockets of activity would pop up here and there. Magazine Street had most stores open, and the French Quarter was also 95% open (at least it seemed like it to me). Restaurants were open, but we found most had a limited menu. Boo-hoo, we only got to chose from 10 mouth-watering entrees instead of 14!
The business owners were so gracious and happy to see people returning to the city. It really is a great time to go, before the crowds and heat return.
For all my readers in New Orleans, and for those of you traveling that way, be sure to stop in Garden District Book Shop and pick up a few good things – like Exploding Hushpuppies! Thanks!