Houston for Book Lovers

6/18/2022

Houston For Book Lovers

Every other week during the summer my mom would take my little brother and me to the library for story time and to collect the books we would read over the next two weeks. As we got older, we refrained from joining the younger kids for story time, but our bi-weekly ritual continued throughout elementary school and most of junior and high school. We participated in the annual Pizza Hut BOOK IT! challenge, each of us earning our free personal pan pizza each year.

Read on to see book reviews
+ my favorite bookstores & more.

Kyle read Hardy Boys and Boxcar Children mostly. Through junior high, I solved crimes with Nancy Drew and Mandie, engaged in the drama of the members of the Baby-Sitters Club, and read everything I could find about horses and anything else that sparked my interest. In high school I turned to the classics - Dickens and Doyle, Hugo and Hawthorne, Austen and the Bronte sisters, Poe and Twain, Edith Wharton, Louisa May Alcott, Agatha Christie, and so many more - while still reading numerous and sundry books that my English-teacher-mom endearingly calls "fluff." Dickens was my favorite, though, and still is.

As a bibliophile, I have a list of books to read that's longer than my list of places I want to travel (and that list is long, my friends!), and I love visiting libraries and book shops to see what treasures they'll reveal. I also enjoy finding unique places that incorporate books into other enterprises, like coffee shops with a little lending library. (In Honduras many years ago, a large, mostly-open-air restaurant on the island of Utila that quickly became a favorite of mine featured a small lending library. A sign instructed visitors to take a book, read it, and return it, or simply exchange one book for another. It was the first time I had seen this concept and I adore this bookish take on the barter system.)

But I digress. Houston is truly an amazing city. Bustling, diverse, metropolitan but with great neighborhoods that almost offer a small-town feel, it has something for everyone, including my fellow book nerds.

Houston Bookstores

Blue Willow Bookshop

1. Blue Willow Bookshop

This adorable book store has a fantastic selection of kids' books, with the cutest displays, complete with the stuffed friends who go along with several of the books. Adult readers can find novels, cookbooks, non-fiction books, and more.

Blue Willow has three in-house book clubs, including one for middle school readers, and they host book signings, plus weekly story times for the kiddos.

Location: 14532 Memorial Dr, Houston

Murder by the Book

2. Murder by the Book

Y'all. I L-O-V-E love this book store. I love me a good who-dunnit (remember Nancy Drew, Mandie, and Agatha Christie?), and this place has more mystery, conspiracy, and suspense novels than I could possibly read in a lifetime. I also love that they have a nice selection of gently-used discounted books. Oh, and their vintage decor is so right up my alley!

Murder by the Book also hosts lots of book signings, so don't miss your favorite scary authors, like Rhys Bowen and Christopher Brown.

Location: 2342 Bissonet St, Houston

Brazos Bookstore

3. Brazos Bookstore

Brazos Bookstore has a funky hipster vibe that I am totally digging. If you're looking for a great selection of non-fiction books with a political or socioeconomic theme, this is the place to find it. They also have a sweet little children's book section and some great choices of books with a travel theme.

Speaking of travel writing, Nomadic Matt, one of my favorite travel bloggers, was here signing his new book a couple years ago, and I finally got to meet him!

Location: 2421 Bissonet St, Houston

Kaboom Books

4. Kaboom Books

Kaboom Books is a fabulous used book store that is filled wall to wall, floor to ceiling with used, antique, and rare books. I found several great mystery novels on my last visit, and can't wait to go back to see what else I can find!

Location: 3116 Houston Ave, Houston

Brown Sugar Cafe and Bookstore

5. Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar Cafe and Bookstore, a new bookstore in North Katy that doubles as a coffee shop, merges two of my very favorite things. It's also an African-American-owned bookstore whose selections are predominantly by black authors.

They have a small private room upstairs, an adorable children's area, and an all-around great vibe. Every Friday, they offer open-mic storytelling. Please go show some love to this gorgeous new bookstore!

Location: 5330 N Fry Rd, Katy

Books about Houston

Run, Brother, Run

1. Run, Brother, Run

Prominent Houston lawyer David Berg's Run, Brother, Run: A Memoir of a Murder in My Family chronicles the true story of the murder of David's brother, Alan Berg. David introduces readers to his brother, with all his strengths and weaknesses, through their childhood and into adulthood. David then brings readers along as he and his family search for his missing brother, discover his brother's body, and seek his brother's killer. We learn that Charles "Chuck" Harrelson, father of actor Woody Harrelson and renowned hitman, had a part in Alan's disappearance.

This story is deeply intimate and personal, complete with humor and some "colorful" language. In spite of its disturbing nature, I was hooked from beginning to end and read it front to back in one sitting.

2. Friendswood

Friendswood by Rene Steinke follows the lives of several average citizens - some teenagers, some adults. These typical Americans are caught in both the normal everyday drama of small-town life and the abnormal medical issues caused by some unethical and unlawful practices by an oil refinery at the edge of town.

Though a work of fiction, Friendswood is based on actual events and enlightens readers about the problems caused by the Brio Superfund Site, about 20 miles southeast of Houston. With over 40 known pollutants dumped at the site, for decades abnormally high cancer rates, blood disorders, birth defects, respiratory problems, and psychosis plagued the citizens who lived nearby.

With a gripping plot and intriguing characters, some of whom unfortunately, but realistically, never evolve and have their "aha" moment (the realist in me found this element especially fascinating), I found Friendswood impossible to put down.

3. The Astrodome: Building an American Spectacle

The Astrodome: Building an American Spectacle by James Gast describes the visionaries behind the building of the Astrodome, the extraordinary building process, and the marvelous building itself. Gast also includes relevant baseball history and historical facts about the city of Houston that I found captivating. Every Houstonian should be aware of these important facts about the Astrodome:

the architects of the Astrodome were almost exclusively Texas natives, many of whom graduated from Rice Institute (now Rice University),
the Astrodome was, when built, the largest room in the world, the dome with the largest span (by far) in the world, and baseball's only air-cooled stadium,
the dome consisted, in part, of 4,596 skylights to allow light in to help the grass grow,
the Astros were originally called the Colt .45's, but when the space program took off with Houston at its center, the name was changed to Astros as a nod to the astronauts,
and the Astrodome's official name is the Harris County Domed Stadium, with its unofficial nickname becoming the Astrodome after the team's name change in 1964.

This was a great book, with interesting historical facts and riveting personal stories.

Note: In 2014, the Astrodome was added to the National Register of Historic Places, alongside other notable historic Houston buildings like the Heights Neighborhood Library, Annunciation Church, and the Cotton Exchange Building.

Houston Chef's Table

4. Houston Chef's Table

Houston Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Bayou City's Iconic Restaurants by Arthur Meyer features dozens of recipes from Houston's best chefs. Several of the restaurants included here have closed since 2012 when this book was published, but many of them, including Hugo's, Soma Sushi, Kata Robata, Vincent's, Ninfa's on Navigation, and Uchi, are still in business and are some of our personal favorites! Several unique recipes from this book that stood out to me include:

Grouper with Jalapeno Grits and Avocado Relish,
Gulf Shrimp Corn Dogs and Tabasco Mash Remoulade,
Sashima Tuna and Soba Noodles with Jicama Slaw,
Roasted Quail with Pumpkin Seed Sauce,
and Cream of Poblano Soup with Roasted Corn and Sausage.

Each restaurant write-up includes some history of the restaurant and its chef(s), as well as information about the flavors and styles of the food served. The foodie in me absolutely loved this cookbook, and I can't wait to try out some of these delicious-sounding recipes!

5. Murder & Mayhem in Houston

From the Wild West to Bonnie and Clyde to the JFK assassination, Murder & Mayhem in Houston: Historic Bayou City Crime by Mike Vance & John Nova Lomax chronicles Houston's historic murders, murderers, suicides, and unsolved mysteries. Some of the stories are downright gruesome, while others are filled with mystery and intrigue.

6. The Hogg family and Houston

The Hogg Family and Houston: Philanthropy and the Civic Ideal by Kate Sayen Kirkland recounts the various philanthropic endeavors of the Hogg family - particularly siblings Will, Ima, and Mike - and other early Houstonians. This book is dense with historical facts, chronological timelines, and information about the politics of the late 1800's and early 1900's. But the overall theme of philanthropy centers around the Hogg family's ideals of city planning so that parks areas, community centers, schools, hospitals, and theaters, would remain available for the people amidst the onslaught of industrialization and commercialism in Houston. The Hoggs also advocated for mental health care, social and educational programs, and the importance of the fine arts.

This was not the easiest read by a long shot, but it was full of carefully-curated information about the people and ideals that shaped Houston's early years.

7. Historic Photos of Houston

This non-fiction photo book by Betty Trapp Chapman features roughly 200 black and white pictures of Houston throughout its history, starting in the 1860's. The informative captions tell stories of times gone by, as well as information about buildings that are still standing today, some of which have been converted into loft apartments, restaurants, and bars.

If you, like me, enjoy history and vintage fashion, this is a fantastically fun, easy read, complete with loads of gorgeous eye candy!

Fat Stock Stampede

8. Fat Stock Stampede at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

This children's book by Dottie Enderle is a fun read about a boy's outing with his family to the Houston Rodeo. Jake accidentally lets the animals out of their pens. Oops! Chaos ensues, and Jake must get creative to fix the mess he made.

9. Magnolia City

Magnolia City by Duncan W. Alderson follows the life of Esther "Netty" Allen, granddaughter of one of Houston's founders. Torn between competing worlds - that of her family and Houston's elite versus excitement and the man she loves - Netty makes a series of difficult decisions, often based on the premonitions she receives while dreaming. Through financial struggles and miscommunications in her marriage, Netty embraces her Mexican heritage, and learns where she came from, who she is, and who she is meant to be.

I enjoyed seeing the names of Houston's early elite, many of whom have streets named after them. I also love Prohibition-era history, and Prohibition plays a large role in Magnolia City. In spite of the language and mature content, I would recommend this to adult readers who have an interest in Houston history.

10. Cordua: Foods of the Americas

In his introduction to Cordúa: Food of the Americas, Michael Cordúa writes, "I am simply an explorer and a cook. Food is the medium I use to show you who I am. Sharing these recipes with you is the next leg of my voyage." With recipes for ceviches and campechanas, empanadas and taquitos, and unique soups and salads, with this book, your appetizer game will be on point. But the full plates get even better, with options like:

Paella,
Filete en Salsa Verde,
Pollo Encamisado,
and Swordfish Churrasco.

And don't forget the sides and sweets, like traditional Nicaraguan Gallo Pinto and Tequila Bread Pudding. The Latin flavors Michael and David Cordúa introduce us to are as diverse and delightful as the people of Latin America themselves.

Beautiful, Historic Libraries

Heights Neighborhood Library

1. Houston Heights Neighborhood Library

Built in 1926 and included in the National Register of Historic Places, the Heights Neighborhood Library doesn't just contain stories; it could tell some stories too! Though some of its original Italian Renaissance Revival style was lost in the renovations and changes over the years, this stunning building still retains much of its old glory.

Also, I have found the staff members who work here to be friendly, courteous, and eager to help.

Location: 1302 Heights Blvd, Houston

2. The Julia Ideson Building

Also opened in 1926, the Julia Ideson building was the sight of the Houston Public Library's Central Library. It was named for Julia Bedford Ideson, who was the first head librarian. Now the Central Library has been moved next door and the Julia Ideson building holds the Metropolitan Research Center, the archival branch of HPL. The building itself, with its Spanish Revival architecture, is a work of art, and the massive amount of information contained inside the walls between the pages of its books is awe-inspiring.

Location: 550 MicKinney Street, Houston

This has been possibly my favorite article to research and write, and I hope it's been as fun for you as it has been for me!