Dym Books & Boba: The Manhattan Mishap is on the Shelves
Me with my signed copy of The Manhattan Mishap at Dym Books & Boba in Pasadena, CA.
Have you heard? There’s a new bookstore in Pasadena. It’s called Dym Books & Boba and it’s exactly that: interesting books with a side of boba and coffees. Although they had a bit of a rough start—a grand opening in December, followed by the Los Angeles wildfires in January which obviously put a pause on celebrations—they’ve now settled into a steady small business groove. When I was in the store a couple of weeks ago, the owner Desiree told me that things are back on track and looking up!
It’s always important to support small businesses. I’m a big advocate of that. (That, and shopping sustainably.) Supporting small bookstores is essential for fostering a vibrant literary culture that goes beyond mere transactions. These independent gems often curate unique selections, showcasing diverse voices and local authors that larger chains may overlook. By choosing to purchase from small bookstores, readers not only gain access to a more personalized shopping experience but also contribute to their community’s economy and cultural landscape. Furthermore, small bookstores often host events like author readings and book clubs, creating spaces for connection and dialogue among book lovers. Investing in these establishments helps preserve the charm and individuality of local neighbourhoods, ensuring that the love of reading continues to thrive.
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So, back before Dym opened, I had spoken with Desiree about having my book The Manhattan Mishap on the shelves. I always get a giddy feeling knowing that my book is going to be out there in the wild for people to peruse and perhaps even purchase. I was so excited. As is evident by the following Thread:
Then life got crazy and I kind of forgot about my book being there. But when I remembered, there was a whole slew of questions slamming against my skull. Was it wasting away? Had it been returned due to poor sales? Did it sell out? Would there be more orders? Would they never want to touch a book I wrote ever again? I didn’t know what to expect and to be honest, I was kind of nervous about it.
My husband and I ended up getting a babysitter one Sunday for plans that we were supposed to have sans toddlers. However, those plans fell through. Not wanting to cancel the sitter, we decided to find something else to do. (If you’re a parent of twins or toddlers, you know how valuable time outside of the house without your kids can be. And how essential it is to return at your best for your kids.) We decided on brunch, followed by Moom Maam ice cream at Smorgasburg.
And then an idea popped into my head: How about checking out Dym Books & Boba?
It’s not often that we find ourselves in Pasadena. It’s not that we don’t like it over there, it’s just that living closer to WeHo, we don’t often venture out that way. If we’re not with the kids, we usually stay closer to home to cut back on travel time and make the most of the precious hours we are paying for childcare. Parents without family nearby to watch the kids can relate to the struggle.
First, we stopped next door to the boosktore at King’s Breakfast & Burgers for a bite to eat. Oh my god, it was so good. Very laid-back, authentic, good vibes for a casual meal. I had a chorizo breakfast burrito and my husband had a double cheeseburger with fresh orange juice. We will be going back just so I can have a cheeseburger of my own. It was delicious. 10/10 recommend.
After breakfast, we walked a few steps to Dym Books & Boba. I introduced myself to Desiree and when I said “I’m Melina” she immediately responded with, “The Manhattan Mishap, right?” So cool to be recognized and associated with my novels. Anyway, she told me that out of the copies she’d ordered, there was only one (!) left on the shelves! I was stunned. And so thrilled. She asked me to sign the copy and then we took a selfie together for social. Of course, I also took a few photos and videos myself and made a couple of posts: one on my author page and one on my personal.
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As of right now, I’m not sure if The Manhattan Mishap is still there or if it’s sold out. But I guess you’ll just have to find out. And if you want more copies, you could likely request that they order more! Obviously, I’d love my novel to continue selling well and to be available at small, independent bookstores across the city. And, well, across the globe.
And that reminds me: I need to get back into doing some more author events, too. Maybe some with TMM but definitely with Thirteen Emotions. The last event I did was a reading at Rebecca Molayem Gallery. It was emotional, exciting, and pushed me to publicly speak which isn’t something I usually thrive at.
Overall, you can make a cute little afternoon out of browsing through the latest titles, including my very own witty rom-com, The Manhattan Mishap. The cozy atmosphere, paired with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee & tea, creates the perfect backdrop for your book shopping adventure. As you pick up your books, you can indulge in a delicious drink (I’d recommend the brown sugar tea with boba) that complements the thrill of discovering your next fave read.
Supporting a local bookstore while enjoying a unique treat makes for an unforgettable combination, ensuring that your purchase of my fierce fashion fiction novel becomes more than just a transaction—it’s a memorable outing.
Ps. We also picked up a book called Sour Apple for the twins and they love it. We’ve been reading it multiple times a day.
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