Wrapped books. Open minds. A little October magic.
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Originally emailed October 6, 2026. Archived edition: the October 18 discount has expired, and the October 17 and 25 events have passed. Original newsletter text and links are preserved below.
Dear Reader,
I’m writing to you from Florida, where I’ve been spending time with my daughter. Lots of talking, just being together, and exploring coffee shops, bookshops, record shops, and stationery stores. Basically, my kind of sightseeing.
It’s been good to step away from the wrapping table for a little while. But even while I’m away, there’s something I wanted to share with you.
It’s Banned Books Week, and I’ve been thinking about what it means to invite someone into a story.
At Main Street Chapters, we wrap books to encourage a little curiosity. You follow the clues, get a feel for the story, and decide whether to take a chance on something you might not have picked up otherwise.
The wrapping is an invitation. The choice is yours.
And that’s where this week’s blog post begins: with the difference between choosing what we read and having that choice taken away.
I wrote about curiosity, connection, and why a story doesn’t have to be your story to matter. I’d love for you to read it.
Read: Wrapped Books, Open Minds: Why the Freedom to Read Matters →
And if a banned or challenged book has stayed with you, hit reply and tell me about it.
Read widely, save a little
Archive note: this offer has expired.
Our partner site, Bookshop.org, is offering 15% off a selection of banned and challenged books, including titles that have faced challenges in schools and libraries across the U.S.
Use code BBW26 at checkout through October 18.
Browse Banned & Challenged Books →
Discount applies to list prices on eligible titles. Ebooks excluded.
The next chapter is looking a little witchy…
Once I’m home, it’s back to wrapping, clue cards, and getting ready for Books, Blooms & Magic at Calgo Gardens.
We’ve been choosing stories with the new season in mind: atmospheric mysteries, magical worlds, autumn romance, and a few reads for those of you who like your evenings a little spooky.
The best part? You’ll still have to follow the clues to find your match.
Come find us at Calgo Gardens 🌿
Archive note: the events below have passed.
On Saturday, October 17, Main Street Chapters will be at In Bloom Nursery at Calgo Gardens in Freehold, NJ, for Books, Blooms & Magic: An Enchanted Book Fair & Maker’s Market.
An autumn afternoon, a beautiful garden setting, and wrapped books waiting to find their readers. This feels like our kind of magic.
There’s a personal reason this event means so much to us, too: it supports a NICU benefit. We were a NICU family when our daughter was born, so that connection is close to my heart.
If you’re planning to join us, the ticket link above has the event details and current pricing. We’d love to see you there.
And for our Hopewell friends, we’ll be back at the Hopewell Farmers Market on Sunday, October 25!
We’re a traveling bookshop, so our gathering place changes, but you can always find our wrapped bundles online between pop-ups.
Thank you for being part of this little bookish community. Whether you’re meeting us at a market, reading along from home, or replying with a book I need to add to my own list, I’m so glad you’re here.
With love and still so many paper cuts, 🖤 🩹
Kimberly
Main Street Chapters