The Neme Reads Book Swap at Muse Coffee Studio created something magical with a room full of readers and the possibility of discovering a new favorite story.
Readers from every corner of Chicago arrived with bags of gently loved books — stories that shaped them, challenged them, or simply stayed with them long after the final page. In return, they left with new treasures, new authors to explore, and new conversations buzzing in their hands.
I walked in thinking I might browse a few titles. I walked out with two books:
-
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, a chilling deep dive into the human psyche
-
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a sweeping story about identity, love, and belonging
Both books feel timely, especially as I continue to build the world of Dominion: Ascension and its sequels. Events like these feed my imagination. There is something powerful about watching strangers connect over a single table of paperbacks. Stories do more than entertain, they gather people.
Muse Coffee Studio was the perfect host. The scent of roasted espresso filled the room while readers swapped recommendations, laughed over shared favorites, and lingered over pages they hadn’t touched in years. It was cozy, vibrant, and full of the collective joy that only book lovers truly understand.
I left deeply grateful for the books I took home and for the community that continues to form around reading, sharing, and the love of storytelling. Thank you to Neme Reads and Muse Coffee Studio for creating a space where books continue doing what they do best: connecting us.