Anytime I can head home to Philadelphia is a good time, but my latest trip was extra special because I got to meet @ariel.lawhon AND take my cousin with me to her tour stop! Massive thank you to @bam_district32 and BAM Mays Landing for hosting us!

My book club read Frozen River a few years ago and not only was it an amazing story, but I was fascinated by Ariel's in-depth research into the real-life woman who inspired the main character of the book. I knew that she would bring that same passion to the story of Gráinne Ní Mháille. Books A Million made an excellent call in selecting The Pirate Queen as their Book of the Year!

It only seemed fitting that such an epic heroine have her story shared in the incredible main building of Drexel University. There is no storyteller of badass women like Ariel Lawhon and The Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley was no exception. The fact that the building lobby featured a replica of Venus of Samothrace, one of my favorite classical artworks, was an unexpected surprise. I remember seeing the original at the Louvre when I was 18 and having my breath absolutely taken away. So many things about this event and the space gave me hope that the arts are still alive and well.

While I may have been all smiles for my whirlwind trip to Philly, I was absolutely in tears when I finished The Pirate Queen. The way Grace's inspirational story was brought full circle? Beautiful. This book is a work of art and hearing Ariel talk about her research and writing process was a truly memorable experience. I am not much of a crier at this point in my life, but every now and then a book really gets me. Did know I have a Bindery shelf just for those books? I do! Mostly because I want to remember them for myself, but also because I want to share the best of the best, in my humble opinion, with you.

🗨️ What's the last book that made you cry?