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Anna Ilyin McClain

@offleashbooks

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roam & read with us | Memoir Pub’ 2027 | She Writes Press | Simon & Schuster Distribution |

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Fans of Powell’s City of Books in Portland must make a pilgrimage to Chicago to get lost deep in the stacks of the original Powell’s. Though no longer related, this Hyde Park shop exudes the powerful Powell’s “feel” of endless pages of possibility. We’ll have more to share about our visit in an upcoming post, thanks to Andrew and his colleagues at @powellsbookschicago #indiebookstore #bookstagram #travelgram by @offleashbooks

Road trip! Destination: books! 📚🚗

Thanks to Anna, Bill, and their four-legged friend Winnie (@offleashbooks) for spending some time with us on their four-wheeled adventure through the #indiebookstore landscape of America.

The trio started in the San Francisco Bay Area and headed east, making #bookstore stops in Montana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin before hitting Chicago.

We had a great time chatting with them about the history of Powell’s Books Chicago.

Be sure to follow them as they continue their journey. They may be visiting a bookshop near you!

#bookstagram #travelgram #shopsmall by @offleashbooks

Every class needs a clown, every court needs a jester, and every bookshelf needs a smile. We found these collections from @tbtoro @paulnoth @asherperlman on our indie bookstore road trip, and loved every page. Look for these books in your local independent bookshop when working through your naughty & nice lists. #thenewyorker #funnybuttrue #humor by @offleashbooks

At Chicago’s Printers Row Lit Fest we learned about the historical fiction novel, “Celia’s Blue Spring”, and the challenge and rewards of digging through incomplete records, long-forgotten speeches, and old publications to find family truth, from author Suzanne McKenzie and her poet husband Rick. @suzannemckenzieauthor @printersrowfest #printersrow #historicalfiction by @offleashbooks

On our way to Chicago, bookshop owners told us “You have to go to Seminary Co-Op Bookstore”. Now we know why. Browsing the stacks reminds us we have sooo much yet to learn… @seminarycoopbookstores @harifletch @uchicago @kieselaymon #indiebookstore #lifelonglearning by @offleashbooks

Crossing North Dakota, we visited the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and learned that he was a prolific author, writing over 50 books. @trlibrary #daregreatly #theodoreroosevelt by @offleashbooks

Traveling the country, we love to discover local authors. In Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, The Book Cellar features local favorite and nationally renowned John Green. We also found an intriguing new release by Sarah Spain from Chicago and Deland McCullough from nearby South Bend. @bookcellarchicago @johngreenwritesbooks @spain2323 @coachdmc #indiebookstore by @offleashbooks

We met author Cody Lakin at Bloomsbury Books in Ashland, Oregon. “The Family Condition” is a horror love story. Though I prefer cozy mysteries over psychological thrillers, it was fun to talk with Cody about the success of this book. Halloween noir vibes! @cody_lakin_writer @bloomsburyashland #scarystories #horrorbooks #halloweenbooks by @offleashbooks

At Chicago’s Printers Row Lit Fest, we met physicist, science writer — and poet — Michael Albrow. He read from his collection of short stories about the universe, including this poem he wrote for his girlfriend. @albrowmike @printersrowfest #printersrow #spaceagelovesong by @offleashbooks

In the “Land of Lincoln” (according to the license plates), we met Andrew at Powell’s Books Chicago. The stacks at Powell’s are so well curated with history, art, poetry… we could have stayed for four score and seven years. @powellsbookschicago #indiebookstore #bookstagram #chicago #lincoln by @offleashbooks

Colleen greeted us at Sandmeyer’s Bookstore on Chicago’s Printers Row. Appropriately it was the epicenter of the Printers Row Lit Fest. @sandmeyers_books @printersrowfest #indiebookstore #bookstagram #printersrow #chicago by @offleashbooks

At the Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, we met some fascinating, under-the-radar authors. Sarah’s work benefits shelter dogs, so we were eager to hear her story. @printersrowfest #printersrow #shelterdog #rescuedog by @offleashbooks