Every so often, an opportunity comes along that is just so incredible, it’s an instant-yes. Today I’m thrilled to share the news that I’m partnering with Baltimore’s newest bookstore Greedy Reads to curate their monthly Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Book Subscription! Every month, subscribers will receive a mystery hand-picked by yours truly, plus a letter sharing why I loved that month’s selection - and why I’m confident you will, too. In this post, you can learn all about the store and my partnership with them - plus read a mini-Q&A I did with Greedy Reads owner Julia Fleischaker about our collaboration!
I'm so excited about this new endeavor, and can't wait to take you guys along for the journey. Happy reading! xx A
Greedy Reads
1744 Aliceanna St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
Before I share more details on this partnership, let’s take a quick look at Greedy Reads! Greedy Reads opened its doors on February 25th, and will have its Grand Opening on March 10th - details here! Greedy Reads is the newest undertaking of a totally inspiring publishing industry veteran, Julia Fleischaker, whom I’m lucky to have worked with through Crime by the Book. (Julia is the publicist responsible for introduction me to Kate Hamer’s brilliant THE GIRL IN THE RED COAT - remember how much I loved that book?! Thanks, Julia!) Julia moved home to Baltimore in order to open a bookstore and serve her community there by connecting them with the thing that brings so many of us together: great books. If you’re in the Baltimore area, add a trip to Greedy Reads to your calendar - and tag me in any and all Instagram posts/Tweets about it. I’m dying to make a trip to the store myself, but until then, I’m living vicariously through you guys -- and through these fantastic pictures Julia sent me of the gorgeous new store! (Click the photos to enlarge!)
CBTB & Greedy Reads
What exactly will this partnership with Greedy Reads entail?
Starting in April, each month I’ll be selecting a recommended crime fiction title for subscribers! My monthly selection will also include a letter from me to subscribers, sharing what makes that month's book choice a standout. We all know there are so many new books released every month, my goal is (as always) to help cut through the noise and connect you with the best crime titles out there—and that’s exactly what this subscription will do, too.
Subscriptions are available in either 6-month or 12-month packages - I’ll include a link for more details on the Greedy Reads website below. If you live in the Baltimore area, you can pick up your monthly book selection in-store, but you can also opt to have your monthly selection delivered right to you. And I feel like it’s important for me to disclose: I’m not profiting from this in any way, this is 100% about supporting independent bookstores and connecting readers with great crime reads!
Learn More About the Subscription Here
Q&A with Greedy Reads
Last but certainly not least: I did a brief Q&A with Julia about our partnership, which I'm delighted to share with CBTB readers today! You can also find this Q&A (and all the details about our partnership) on the Greedy Reads website.
Julia: Thank you so much for doing this with Greedy Reads! When I started talking to people in the neighborhood about the bookstore, I heard from so many that they can’t get enough mysteries and thrillers.
What do you think it is about these books that has so many people hooked?
CBTB: Thank you so much for asking me to join in - this is going to be so fun! That's a great question. I tend to think that there are two levels to the appeal of crime fiction. At surface level, these books are just plain fun to read - and that's something to be celebrated! There's nothing like the feeling of getting genuinely hooked on a book - and crime fiction offers so many opportunities for this to happen, whether you're a fan of classic murder mysteries, psychological suspense, action thrillers, or anything in between. If you dig just a bit deeper, though, there's a weight and substance to crime fiction that is what I think gives it its staying power. I've always considered crime fiction a supremely honest genre: it shows us some of the worst in ourselves, but it also depicts ordinary people doing the best they can to combat that darkness. It brings readers face to face with issues worthy of discussion, ranging from mental illness to domestic abuse to discrimination and abuse of power, and it does so in a package that's digestible and engaging. It's that potent blend of entertainment and insight that always keeps me coming back for more, and I'm confident I'm not alone there.
Julia: I have to ask — how many books do you read in a typical month?
CBTB: My answer to this question honestly varies month by month! I'm a huge believer in reading each book in the way that feels right to you. Some books are meant to be binge-read, and others you just want to savor—and both are totally legitimate reading styles! I've had months where I've read just a couple really hefty crime novels - and others where I've breezed through a whole lineup of addictive, fast-paced thrillers. Depending on the type of crime novels I'm reading, I read between 6-12 books a month. (Like I said, it's quite a range!)
Julia: What will you be looking for when you’re selecting books? What will you be looking for when you’re selecting books?
CBTB: One of the things I think we have most in common is that we both love finding those "diamonds in the rough", and that's exactly what I'll be looking for when selecting books. Nothing excites me more than finding a crime book that does something new and different - whether that's a debut novel or a seasoned author who is taking a totally new approach to their work. There are so many crime books (and books in general!) being released all the time, my goal is always to cut through the noise and find that something special that deserves to be on your reading list - and that's exactly what I'll be looking for here, too.
I’m so excited about this endeavor - Julia and I are of such similar minds when it comes to all things bookish, and I just can’t wait to work with her on this project! Looking forward to sharing a whole lot more about this with you guys in the coming year! And as always, thank you so much for the incredible support you'e shown CBTB. xx A
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