Katy Lemieux and Valerie Walizadeh, co-owners of Talking Animals Books in Grapevine, are sending book lovers on a month-long treasure hunt across North Texas starting the first Friday in August.
The second annual North Texas Bookstore Crawl connects 31 independent bookstores spanning 19 cities, which organizers say makes it the largest regional bookstore crawl in Texas. The event runs through Sunday, August 31.
Lemieux and Walizadeh created the crawl last year, inspired by similar collaborations in Austin and Houston. The concept is simple: pick up a free Bookstore Passport at any participating shop or download one online, visit stores throughout the month, and collect a stamp at each stop. No purchase required. Every store visited earns one raffle entry for prizes and gift cards.
"We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for last year's inaugural Crawl," Lemieux told Southlake Style. "Independent bookstores aren't competitors, we're truly collaborators. Every bookstore has its own personality, its own specialties, and its own community."
Four NE Tarrant-area stops are on the list: both Talking Animals Books locations in Grapevine (103 W. Worth St. and 909 S. Main St.), A House With Books in Keller, and Tropes Bookstore in North Richland Hills.
The full crawl stretches across cities including Fort Worth, Denton, Plano, McKinney, and Arlington.
Since last year's inaugural crawl, North Texas indie bookstores have begun meeting quarterly to discuss trends, troubleshoot challenges, and plan together.
Co-owner Walizadeh said one of her favorite outcomes is hearing participants discover bookstores they never knew existed.
The crawl is free to join, and families can turn it into a series of day trips or tackle it all in a few weekends.
A full list of participating shops and downloadable passports is available online.
Upcoming community events
- Thursday, July 24: Colleyville Public Library's "Chill Out and Read" Summer Reading Program Grand Finale, 5:30–8 p.m. at Heroes Park at City Hall. Live DJ, arts and crafts, carnival games, bounce houses. All ages; no registration required.
- Saturday, July 26: Grapevine Summer Splash Bash final session, 5–8 p.m. at Peace Plaza, Grapevine Main Station, 815 S. Main St. Free splash pads, bounce houses, foam machines, and music. Bring your own towel.
- Wednesday, July 30: Southlake Public Library's "Jumpstart Your Fall Garden" family workshop, 9:30–10:30 a.m. at Parkwood Training Center. Hands-on gardening tips for fall planting.
