It’s been a while, and so I have a lot to catch you up on. Hmmm, let’s see, where to start?

Well, first, we had Hajar Hussaini, author of Disbound: Poems (we have copies for sale in the shop) and recipient of the 2026 Whiting Award in Poetry (among many other accolades), in the shop on Sunday, May 3rd to lead a poetry workshop, and when I tell you it was phenomenal, I’m not exaggerating. The group was small, but I think that made the experience even better. During the workshop, we used close reading to analyze a few poems, then we worked on our own using the same concepts and prompts. I loved digging deeper into the poems and discovering new things, things I wouldn’t have noticed if Hajar hadn’t had us point them out and discuss their meaning and effectiveness. I also loved hearing the poems my peers wrote and shared during the workshop. It can be intimidating sharing your writing with others, especially when it’s so raw and fresh, but they did it with courage and grace, and it was a thing of beauty to behold.

I was blown away by Hajar’s teaching, her keen eye, gentle guidance, and intuitive feedback. She even brought a Skidmore napkin, which she slipped out of her belongings at some point and used to write the first line of what would become a collaborative poem while we were working. She explained that this was a tradition as she passed the napkin around so that we could each add a line, with only the line before as a reference to what we were writing. By the end of the workshop, we’d created a beautiful collaborative poem which I fully intend to frame and hang in the writer’s room. Here is a picture:

Speaking of the writer’s room, it’s almost done! I just need to finish a few more details, and then I’ll open it up to writers (and some readers and reading groups). Registration will be required, as I’ll have a schedule in place since I’m also donating time in the space to the Saratoga Writers Center for workshops, and will, of course, use it for my own workshops, book clubs, and write-ins. I can’t wait for you to see it, especially the patio!

Let’s see, what else is new? Oh, I recently met some wonderful ladies from the Hyde Collection, a historic house and art museum in Glens Falls, who shared their beautiful book, A Feast of Flowers, with me. This book is not only gorgeous on the outside but also holds incredible treasures within, showcasing the work of women still-life painters from the seventeenth century and beyond. The artwork is incredible, and what’s even more amazing is that I found a painting of Stevie Nicks (the bird) and me within its pages!

Okay, okay, so it’s not Stevie and me, but if we were alive during the seventeenth century, it totally would be. Just dye the lady’s hair black and give her a spray tan, and, of course, add some more colorful plumage to the bird, and we’ve got us some doppelgangers!

These beautiful books are now for sale in the shop. Stop by to check them out!

On the topic of new books in the shop, I recently had a customer stop in and tell me about Persephone Books, a UK bookstore that publishes a stunning series of neglected and forgotten fiction and non-fiction by mostly mid-twentieth-century women. Intrigued, I set out to discover more about them and was excited to find the cutest bookstore showcasing these gorgeous books, which are designed to be uniform on the outside with an elegant grey jacket. Each book has its own uniquely patterned endpapers inside, which are “taken from a textile designed around the time the book was written or is set.”

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I adore these books. Not only do they look splendid on the shelf, but they have each been hand-picked, lovingly plucked from the dusty annals of antiquity, chosen for their superior stories and content, and placed, rightfully, within the literary canon for posterity. I now have every single book from their collection in the shop for you to peruse and purchase. Thank you, Elisa, for bringing these books to my attention so that I can bring them to Saratoga Springs!

Another note on new books…I’ve just finished building a new bookshelf in the shop which will house our, wait for it, children’s section! It’s not a large bookshelf, and the selection won’t be extensive. I have no illusions about people carting their kids all the way up to the shop to buy books, but some have brought their littles, and I’ve felt bad that I didn’t have anything for them. Since I used to own a children’s bookshop, and my love and appreciation for those books has never faded, I decided that I’d add this section with the stipulation that it would follow the curatorial rules of the rest of the shop, mainly that I’d only carry classics, award winners, and, of course, my personal favorites.

I’m excited to announce our very first author reading in the shop on Saturday, June 6th at 4pm! This is an extra-special reading, not only because it will be our first, but also because it is from author Greg Hrbek’s current work in progress, a science-fiction novel about a troubled woman at a psychotropic drug retreat, trapped in a time-space loop between utopian and dystopian futures. I know, I know! When will this book be done so I can buy it?! Also, how often do you get to hear an author reading from their work-in-progress?

Registration is not required for this event, but space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.

Greg Hrbek is the author of Not on Fire, but Burning, an NPR Best Book of the year. His short fiction has appeared in Harper’s Magazine, Tin House, and “The Best American Short Stories.” He is Writer-in-Residence at Skidmore College.

Our first official book club is underway! In case you missed it, the Practical Magic Book Club started on May 23rd. We’ll be reading one book from the Practical Magic series each month and meeting at the shop to discuss them. We still have a couple of spots left if you’d like to join. Send me an email at hello@botanicabooks.com, and I’ll send you a registration link. Registration is $85 and includes paperback copies of the four books in the series bundled together in our limited-edition “There’s a little witch in all of us.” Botanica Book Tote, as well as access to our Book Club Chat on Substack.

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Okay, I think I’ve caught you up on everything. There’s just one more bit of info I want to share. As you may know, I have kept pretty steady hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays, adjusting here and there as needed. But because my natural inclination is toward chaos, and I tend to shy away from schedules as they make me feel as trapped as a tiger in a cage since they don’t allow me the freedom I need to pursue my other passions, I have decided to embrace the chaos and have varying hours instead of set hours. What does this mean for my customers? Well, it means that if the sandwich sign is out, I’m in the shop. Period. It may be a Monday morning, or Thursday afternoon, a Saturday evening, or even a Sunday. Anything is possible!

Of course, if you’re jonesing and need to get into the shop for whatever reason—maybe you have family in town, maybe you’ve finished your latest classic, award winner, or Persephone Book and need to get the next one—you can always call or message me either by email hello@botanicabooks.com or phone (518) 832-8645 and I will try my best to accommodate your needs. All I ask is that you give me at least a two-hour heads-up.

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Carissa & Stevie Nicks (the bird)

Since opening in October, I have often found myself wondering what I was thinking opening a bookstore on the third floor, a place so out of the way and hard to find, even those who love it find it hard to muster the energy to make the climb on a regular basis. If I’m being honest, it was a rough and lonely winter up there, and in my solitude, I did what most people do when they find themselves isolated: I imagined changing everything about my shop. I didn’t, however, imagine I would end up moving, but that’s the beauty of imagination; when what you imagine finally comes to fruition, it rarely resembles the picture you’ve built in your mind.

In February, I learned that my downstairs neighbors were retiring and that their space would be available in March. I negotiated a right of first refusal clause in my lease so I would have first dibs on any space that became available (because it’s always good to have options). At first, I did refuse. I didn’t even look at the space. I couldn’t fathom moving, mostly because I couldn’t imagine getting those nine, fully assembled, seven-foot bookshelves down after having them hauled up to my space not six months earlier. But, as luck would have it, one of my neighbors had stashed some of their furniture in the hall right outside of the recently vacated office. After notifying my landlord that it was there (and blocking my sign), I helped move the furniture into the empty office to get it out of the way.

Walking into that office was like waking into my destiny. Suddenly, I could see my shop in this space as if it were already there. It was one of those moments—you know the ones, when you have that sudden realization, or, perhaps, premonition would be a better word, when all the puzzle pieces fall into place. I had the same feeling seven years ago when I first laid eyes on the building that would eventually house my children’s bookstore in Colorado.

This time, though, I didn’t take as long to act on it. After walking through the space, admiring the beautifully designed ceiling and floors original to the 1871 build, the pocket doors which create two distinct spaces, and the brick wall with three large windows looking out onto Broadway, I knew this was where I was meant to be all along. I realized that the third-floor space was only ever meant to be a placeholder so that I could be there the moment this space became available. Fate was working her magic, yet again.

I texted my landlord that night to tell him I wanted the space, and from that moment on, it was full speed ahead.

It took me a couple of weeks to get the painters in, and then to have the carpenter build and install the shelves that would hold the rolling ladder, and then, of course, there was the matter of packing and moving all those books (over fifty boxes) into the new space so that the movers could bring down the larger furniture and bookshelves. Amazingly, I got it all done and only had to close one weekend, thank goodness.

And so here we are a month later. I’ve moved in and, though I’m exhausted, I’m incredibly happy with my decision. I’ve only been open two weekends, and so far it’s still pretty slow. People are emerging from their hibernation during the harsh winter months to bask in the bright, warm sun. They seem content to wander the streets, though, instead of wandering inside, and I don’t blame them. I no longer feel isolated when no one is in the shop. Now, I simply walk over to the windows and look out onto Broadway down to the street, teeming with life below, some of whom, I know, will make their way up to my shop eventually.

Even after the move I still wondered if I should include more new titles, especially in the genres I love, like magical realism and horror. I will add more of these books, but I have decided that, in the end, I want to stick to my original vision: a literary bookshop, a place for people to explore those writers and books that have helped create our literary landscape. Some of you may be disappointed by this decision, but, honestly, I couldn’t keep up with the tsunami of new fiction being published on a weekly basis if I wanted to. I’m only one person, after all, and there are plenty of bookstores better equipped to offer that type of curation, bookstores with tens of employees and hundreds more square footage like the one located just down the street from me, where I often go to find new fiction which may eventually make its way onto my favorites shelf in my own shop.

I’m happy with what I’ve built, though I know it will take some time to find my audience, those readers interested in picking through the classics and award winners, writers looking for guidance from those who’ve come before, and poetry lovers who want to hold a whole work in their hands to contemplate the poem’s meanings and connections to one another. I wanted to build a literary bookstore that would welcome those readers and writers who appreciate great literature of the past as well as those books lauded in literary circles today, and, hopefully entice some of those younger readers who may not know of these works, or who were forced to study them as a means to an end as opposed to simply seeking enjoyment from a story well told.

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Of course, I have other offerings as well, non-fiction books that pique my interest in subjects ranging from philosophy to science, and, of course, antiquity, religion, magic, and art. These books are for my fellow life-long learners, the incurably curious, the magic seekers. I hope to one day offer more classes and gatherings for this part of my community, especially those interested in ancient languages (anyone want to study Attic Greek with me?) and magic (let’s make our own grimoires!). I admit my interests are wide and weird, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You’ll be happy to hear that I’ve decided to keep my old space as an office and writer’s/reader’s room, which, of course, means I’ll be keeping the patio. It’s empty now, but I am currently working on the design. I hope to have it set up by the end of next month to offer more workshops, write-ins, and silent reading gatherings in that space. I have other things I want to do in that space and in my shop, but I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, which is something I do often. I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Before I go, I want to announce a new writing workshop with poet and journalist, Natalli Amato, scheduled to take place in the shop this Sunday. Natalli is a wonderful writer and teacher, and I’m thrilled to have her back in the shop for her two-hour Alchemy of Writing Workshop: A Writing & Meditation Workshop for Compassionate Self-Discovery

Discover the power of going inward and writing what the heart speaks. Together, we'll spend our session clearing blocks to expression and intuition by participating in guided meditation, breathwork, and guided journaling. We'll experience how writing can help us transform our daily lives for the better, inviting in more self-compassion, joy, gratitude, contentment, and wonder in a supportive group setting.

Hope to see you in the shop soon!

Warm Wishes,

Carissa

It’s been a little over a month since my last post, and though I said I wouldn’t post on a schedule, a month seems to be the longest amount of time I’ll let go by before I feel the urge to post again. Maybe it’s because I miss writing to you, or maybe I just have so much to share, I can’t wait any longer. Whatever the reason, I hope that you find these infrequent posts to be a welcome respite from your regularly scheduled programs.

So, what’s been going on in the shop? Well, I’ve been on a reordering frenzy these past couple of months. As you may know, or not, I hand-pick every book that comes into my shop, which means it takes a long time for me to put together my orders. Some are chosen through book reviews I’ve read in various publications, some I’ve found while perusing publisher catalogues, but all are chosen because I have an interest either in the story they tell, the knowledge they share, or the ideas they explore, which tells me that someone else may have an interest in them as well, no matter how odd or random the book may be.

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Though I tell everyone who comes into the shop of late not to mind the slim pickins (being the beginning of the year and all) they always say the shop looks full to them, which makes me wonder where I’m going to put all these books I’m ordering. Well, actually, I plan to expand my shelving on the far wall. If I can get that shelving expansion (all the way up to the ceiling), I’ll definitely get the rolling ladder as well. So, something to look forward to, in addition, of course, to all the books I’m ordering.

Speaking of ordering, I have some exciting news for my francophile friends. I’m partnering with the Albertine bookstore in NYC to create a “French corner” in the shop. One of the things I wanted to do when I opened was to offer books in different languages, and I think this is as good a place to start as any. The Albertine bookstore is located inside the Payne Whitney mansion and is part of The French Institute for Culture and Education. It’s a beautiful bookstore, and honestly, it’s one of the inspirations for the design and feel of my own bookstore. If you’ve never been, you should definitely visit and be sure to go up to the second floor to check out the amazing ceiling mural, which is another design element I’m hoping to imitate (not the actual design, but I do want to paint a mural on the ceiling).

Since it’s been so long (and since my reader’s support group idea didn’t gain any traction), I’ve decided I’ll just touch on what I’ve been reading here, then write a lengthier post about those books which I’d like to explore more deeply later.

I’m actively reading (I say actively because there are many books I am inactively reading as well), In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens by Alice Walker, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (a National Book Award Winner), The Living and the Dead by Zadie Smith, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and James by Percival Everett (an adaptation of TAHF told from Jim’s point of view which previously won the National Book Award and, most recently, the Pulitzer Prize). I highly recommend reading these last two books together.

As the year progresses, you’ll notice a lot of classics and award winners on my reading lists. That’s because those are two categories I’ve always wanted to delve into, which is why I have large sections for both in my shop. I’m sure you’ve noticed the Classics sections, but have you noticed the Award Winners’? We currently have Nobel Prize, National Book Award, Booker Prize, and Hugo Award books, and we’re in the process of adding Pulitzer to the list. I try to include winners from all categories over the last decade, but will change it up to include older (and newer) titles over time.

I also recently finished Nella Larsen’s Quicksand—a book I’d never heard anything about, but which turned out to be as rich and engrossing as any classic I had heard of—Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (another National Book Award Winner), The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson, and Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer.

All of these books are available in the shop and can also be ordered online through our Bookshop page. *The number of books available in the shop is limited, but it’s just as good for us if you order online through Bookshop.

Speaking of Saratoga Schaefer, guess who’s teaching our next writing workshop in just over a week?! Saratoga, who is not only a master of horror and suspense, but who is also a prolific writer, will teach us how to “kill” those stories that are holding us back, and how to “resurrect” those that continue to call to us from beyond the narrative grave in their first Botanica Books writing workshop, How to Kill Your Darlings (And then Resurrect Them). As always, space is limited, so be sure to save your spot as soon as possible.

We’ve talked about reading and writing, but what about remembering? Well, okay. I’m VERY excited to announce that Botanica Books is partnering with Bibulous Dessert Bar to offer what I hope will become a new lecture event series, Lectures & Libations! In this new lecture series, professors and experts from various fields are invited to give a 45-minute lecture (followed by 15 minutes of Q&A) to an adult audience of the incurably curious and those self-described lifelong learners who may not want or have the time/money to sign up for a semester-long class. During the lecture, attendees can purchase cocktails, mocktails, and coffee, as well as small bites and desserts while supplies last.

Our first lecturer is six-time world memory champion and author, Nelson Dellis! In his talk, Everyday Genius: How to Remember More in an Age That’s Outsourcing Thinking, Nelson will share science-backed techniques anyone can use to improve memory, learning, and mental clarity through live demonstrations and simple exercises. Learn how memory actually works, why it’s a trainable skill (not a talent), and how reclaiming it can help you think more clearly, learn faster, and stay mentally sharp in an AI-driven world. Attendees will have the option to purchase a copy of Nelson’s newest book, Everyday Genius: Hacks to Boost Your Memory, Focus, Problem Solving, and Much More, upon registration or at the event.

That’s it for now, Friends. I hope you are all staying warm during this incredibly cold winter. I’m looking forward to spring and opening the patio, which both readers and writers will be invited to enjoy whenever the shop is open.

Here’s a cute picture of Stevie I took the other day. It made me think of that old proverb: “A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.” which I’m not sure I agree with, but I do love having my bird in my hand, so…

I had so many goals for the new year, most of which I’ve already abandoned. I love goals. I love lists. I love planning, but I also love tossing these things aside to make room for the unexpected. I love wondering what will come next, the thrill of the unknown.

I love canceled plans.

This is both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because I find myself with more time—time to read, time to write, time to be in this world untethered; a curse because I often do not get to accomplish that which I originally set out to do.

One goal I did not abandon, though, was the goal of giving myself grace. I often need to remind myself that I am only one person, as I’m sure many of us do. We must pick and choose from those activities we wish to pursue by deciding what is most important to us. Most of the time, I’m faced with having to decide between all the things I want to do, all the things I feel I should do, and the much fewer things I am capable of accomplishing in the moment. I suppose this is why I connect so deeply with Robert Frost’s famous poem, “The Road Not Taken”:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I had hoped to announce a number of book clubs this year. Alas, I do not have the time nor the energy for such a venture. Between reading, writing, business, and life, my days are booked. Honestly, though, I’ve never been a fan of book clubs. I don’t like being told what to read, and, being a slow reader, I especially do not like being given a timeline in which to do it—never mind the thought of having to set these parameters for others.

That is, of course, not to say that I will not welcome book clubs into the space. In fact, I plan to open the patio in the spring and will welcome writers and book clubs to meet there while the shop is open (weather permitting, of course).

Going back to Frost’s poem, I like the idea of the path less traveled. If I’m honest, I prefer to make my own path rather than follow those that are set for me already, hence my aversion to book clubs. And so, I’d like to propose a new idea: Writers and Readers Support Groups.

Okay, hear me out.

You can probably imagine what a writer’s support group is: writers gathering to talk shop, air frustrations, share excitements, current projects, and such; but what exactly would a readers’ support group do? Well, here’s the idea: a readers’ support group will allow readers to gather together to share their reading goals, what they are currently reading, quotes, thoughts, frustrations, recommendations, all of it.

The thing I love about this idea is that this type of group would be open to all sorts of readers, not just those who are interested in a specific genre or book. I realize that may also be a deterrent for some, but I feel that in this age of alienation, we could use some different perspectives, even if only in reading preferences.

Readers gathering to talk about their current reads seems much more doable to me than being assigned a book and timeline. I’m a wild reader. I have stacks of books and magazines and newspapers surrounding my reading chair at all times, and what I read usually depends on how I feel in the moment. I’m not the type of reader who can track the number of books I finish in a year. Impossible! I start too many books, and read too many magazines, essays, and articles. I like to dip in and out of things, unless, that is, I’m completely immersed and can’t put the book down, like with my most recent non-fiction read, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

The idea of talking about all of the things I’m reading with a group of people who also love to read sounds wonderful. I hope at least some of you feel the same. Let me know via the poll below.

Okay, okay, now let’s talk about writing! We had poet and journalist Natalli Amato in the shop last Sunday to help us connect with our creativity. Using breathing exercises, subtle movements, and writing prompts, Natalli reminded us not only that we must actively cultivate our creativity but that we must also care for it in the same way we care for all the other things in our lives. We must make time to sit with ourselves, to nurture creativity by living in wonder with the world around us. At least that’s what I got out of it, and that was exactly what I needed. Something came loose during that workshop. I feel unstuck. Which, I suppose, is why I have been writing my morning pages every day since.

Natalli writes a bit about the experience in her Substack post, Not Fade Away: Notes on Awe, Friendship & Bobby Weir. Thank you, Natalli!

Our next writing workshop, scheduled for February 8th, Where History Meets Story: Crafting Compelling Historical Fiction, will be led by author and professor Khristeena Lute! I’m very excited for this workshop. I love reading historical fiction, but I know nothing about writing it and, honestly, I’ve been curious. My own WIP isn’t technically historical fiction, but it certainly has historical elements. If you think about it, a lot of fiction, even that not labeled as historical fiction, has historical elements. I can’t wait to learn how to harness this knowledge to help make my story even more compelling.

Anyway, that’s all for now, I think. I’ll only add that I have some other fun events planned for the future, so keep an eye on our Workshops & Events page and our socials. I don’t post often—I don’t fancy myself a content creator—but I do post about events, and I include some videos of the shop because, well, have you seen it?

Oh, and just an FYI, the shop will be closed from January 18th through the 25th. I’m heading to Miami to get a little Vitamin D. I’ll try to bring some back for you.

Thanks for reading! Happy Writing!

Carissa & Stevie Nicks (the bird)

P.S. I rearranged the shop just a little to build myself a cash wrap, which allowed me to fit yet another small bookshelf I’m currently working on filling. I’ve also included some pictures of how the shop is transformed for workshops and write-ins. Hope to see you at one or both of these events someday soon!

Before you get too excited or, more likely, exhausted at the thought of receiving another daily/weekly newsletter in your inbox, I should tell you that I do not plan to post on a schedule. I’ll only post when I have something to say, events to announce, books to review, or whatever I think is interesting enough to be worthy of your (and my) precious time, I promise.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten expectations (or lack thereof) out of the way, I do actually have some announcements: First, I’m finally opening the shop to my fellow writers in January! We will host three Write-Ins in the shop every Wednesday (except the week of the 19th—the shop will be closed that week) starting January 7th. You’ll have an option to choose a two-hour time slot between 11am and 4pm but I may add later Write-In times in the future, depending on demand, so stay tuned.

What exactly is a Write-In, you ask? Well, as you may know, I created this space for readers and writers to enjoy, which is why I worked to make it as welcoming and inspirational as possible. Write-Ins are for writers who’d like to take advantage of that inspirational feel. There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by books in a beautiful space to inspire a writer, and there is no better time for a writer to feel inspired than at the beginning of the new year, when our past procrastinations are forgiven, and our goals for the future are shining brighter than ever.

That said, (free) registration is required for all Write-Ins since space and seating are limited. Go to the new Workshops & Events page on our website and click RSVP to register for your two-hour time slot on any of the three Write-Ins days offered in January.

Speaking of workshops and events, we’re hosting our very first Writing Workshop with author Natalli Amato on Sunday, January 11th, from 1-2:30pm! In this workshop, Open to the Flow: Overcoming Writer’s Block, we’ll learn how to align ourselves with creative energy using breath, meditation, and gentle seated movement. Then, we’ll engage in guided generative writing exercises and prompts. Participants will leave feeling inspired and empowered to make a routine out of these practices on their own in their daily lives.

Natalli Amato is a poet, fiction writer, and journalist. Her poetry collections include On a Windless Night, Burning Barrel, and North Wind, which was shortlisted for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. Natalli’s poems have been nominated for the Best of The Net Anthology as well as Pushcart Prizes. She has written for Rolling Stone, Vice, Chopra Global, Taste of Country, The Boot, and various other publications. Natalli lives in Saratoga Springs and is working on her novel.

And that’s it. Pretty painless, yes? Good.

I do have some other fun new events planned for the new year that I’ll announce soon, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading.

Happy writing.

Oh, and here are some pictures of Stevie Nicks (the bird) because we all know she’s the real reason you come into the shop.