Last leg of the INVISIBLE Indie Bookstore is in sunny California, the West Coast; as far from chilly New England as I could possibly be! Okay, I'll admit I'm feeling a little homesick, but that's one of the few advantages of being invisible...it doesn't really show!

Now we're into the holidays, I'm stuffed with stuffing and enjoying the walk outside, greedy for the chance to enjoy the beautiful weather, bright skies and favorite places like www.vromansbookstore.com. It's just a stroll down the street and the doors are wide open like old friends.

There's nothing like a bookstore!

Vroman's has a legacy of good books and good works dating back to 1894 and several generations of employees who follow his passion for books and philanthropy. For years, this was the largest bookstore south of the Mississippi, and with programs from author signings and charity days to school book fairs, local support networks and its own program "Vroman's Gives Back," it's easy to see why customers are loyal and proud to be part of the reading community of Pasadena, CA. Passionate and giving, Vroman's hosts free-to-the-public literary events and charitable giving. As it says on their website, "To date, Vroman's has donated over $634,2675.55 on behalf of our customers." You can always find out the latest on their awesome blog.

I can't tell you how honored I am to be walking down the aisles of this store. (And surrounded by my best friends: BOOKS!)

Pictured: Me standing next to the newest display--just in time for holiday shopping!

And to spread a little more holiday cheer, there's signed swag available to the first 7 people to purchase their copy of INVISIBLE and I hope you browse their stores and websites for the latest great reads to stuff into your stockings or wrap after lighting the candles this year!

You can buy your swag-o-rific copy of INVISIBLE at:

Vroman's Bookstore
695 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA
(626) 449-5320
www.vromansbookstore.com

Leaving Asheville, we're off to Nashville in the heart of Tennessee to visit Parnassus Books! I've passed through several weather fronts on my INVISIBLE journey and nothing's quite so amazing as being able to drive in the car. I do my best thinking while driving or daydreaming (shouldn't do both!) and have my handy voice recorder & plenty of paper to scribble on as I go. It's amazing what the mind will come up with once it's set free. Appropriate, then, to be off the famed "brainchild" bookstore!

Author Ann Patchett and Karen Hayes were the hearts and minds behind the indie bookstore revival back when Nashville woke one morning to find that all of their beloved bookstores--chains and local shops--had gone. Grit and determination and a refusal to let the boogeymen doomsayers get them down, Parnassus Books is still strong and a favorite for locals and traveling authors alike! A quote from the website's "The Bookstore Strikes Back" reminds me of what Ursula K. LeGuin mentioned during her now-famous National Book Awards speech:

"Amazon doesn’t get to make all the decisions; the people can make them, by choosing how and where they spend their money. If what a bookstore offers matters to you, then shop at a bookstore. If you feel that the experience of reading a book is valuable, then read a book. This is how we change the world: We grab hold of it. We change ourselves."

Parnassus isn't just a bookstore, it's a place that loves books. Whether checking out its blog or perusing the shelves, you can chat with knowledgeable bibliophiles who long to put just the right book in your hands including the latest bestsellers to signed stock and first editions! And, being an author myself, I feel right at home in Ann & Karen's bit of heaven.

Visit in person or online and nab your copy of INVISIBLE and remember that the first 7 people to order get their signed sets of swag!

You can order your copy at:

Parnassuss Books
Hillsboro Plaza Shopping Center
3900 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 953-2243www.parnassusbooks.net