The Stories That Walked Through the Door

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  There is something a little surreal about rolling a suitcase full of books into a bookstore when your name is on every cover. You write them quietly. You edit them. You second-guess them. You work through covers, publishing, distribution and all the details no reader ever sees. Then one day, you unpack those books onto a table in a beautiful independent bookstore and wait to see who walks through the door. Saturday at Bookery Manchester , they walked through. And what a gift they were. A Perfect Day for a Bookstore It was damp and gray outside, the kind of New Hampshire day that practically begs you to wander into a bookstore and stay awhile. Inside, my table was filled with The Internal Fungus Among Us , Rooted & Renewed , and Watered & Whole , along with bookmarks, information about my wellness work, and a wellness giveaway basket filled with all three signed books, my Gut Health Grocery Guide, a journal, candle, eye mask and a few other little things meant to e...
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It's a Wrap! My 1,300+ Mile New England Independent Bookstore Tour

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I'm still trying to figure out how to put the last two weeks into words. But I'm going to try, because this independent bookstore tour was never just about books. It was about people, roads, small towns, and a whole lot of hope along the way.

Where It All Started

A year ago, the idea of introducing The Internal Fungus Among Us to independent bookstores across New England felt like a dream. This month, that dream became a road trip: over 1,300 miles through New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, with my books now finding new homes in approximately 15 stores throughout the region.

I packed the car, printed my intake sheets, and set out with one simple mission. What I didn't expect was how much the trip would end up being about so much more than the books themselves.


The Bookstores That Took a Chance on Me

There's something special about walking into an independent bookstore as an unknown author and asking them to take a chance on you. Every stop reminded me why these places matter so much.



During this 1,300+ mile journey, I visited 16 independent bookstores across six New England states. I'm thrilled that 15 bookstores are now carrying one or more of my books, and I'm grateful for every bookseller who welcomed me along the way.


In New Hampshire, I started at Gibson's Bookstore in Concord and made my way to Bookery Manchester, Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, and two wonderful Portsmouth shops, Reedmor Books & Brews and Sheafe Street Books—and even to the bookstore on Star Island, just off the coast of Portsmouth, where my books now have a home in one of New England's most unique island communities.





Maine, my home state, gave me a perfect downtown afternoon, live music in the park, flowers in bloom, and Longfellow Books, Print: A Bookstore, and Sherman's Bookstore, all just minutes apart.



One of my favorite unexpected moments was pausing to listen to local musician Kai Luc perform in downtown Portland. It's those little discoveries that make a road trip unforgettable.



In Vermont, I walked onto the bright yellow porch of Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, tucked my books onto the shelves at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, and was warmly welcomed at Norwich Bookstore in Norwich. While I was there, I also received a personal tour of the beautiful Norwich Public Library, established in 1880.  




I also stood beneath the trees outside Norwich Bookstore before receiving a personal tour of the beautiful Norwich Public Library, established in 1880.





 In Burlington, Drew at Phoenix Books welcomed me and all my titles so more readers can find them.


Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island rounded things out. Mystic Connecticut was a meaningful stop on the tour, where Bank Square Books welcomed The Internal Fungus Among Us and the From Soil to Soul devotional series. I’m grateful to have these books represented in such a well-loved independent bookstore and to add Connecticut to this growing New England journey.





Massachusetts brought another exciting milestone with Brookline Booksmith in Brookline joining the growing list of bookstores carrying my books. It was also a chance to revisit one of my favorite areas, Coolidge Corner. I enjoyed dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and even caught a show at the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre, making it a perfect blend of work and a little personal joy before continuing the journey.




Rhode Island was a special stop on the tour. It was wonderful to revisit Barrington, one of my old stomping grounds, and enjoy the beauty of Narragansett Bay before stopping at Barrington Books in Barrington.

I was grateful that Kayla at Barrington Books agreed to carry The Internal Fungus Among Us, Rooted & Renewed, and Watered & Whole on consignment. It's always rewarding to partner with another wonderful independent bookstore and know these books will continue reaching new readers throughout New England.




Every "yes" from an independent bookstore reminded me how much community still matters in this industry.


The People Who Made It Meaningful

Here's the thing about a solo road trip: it's never actually solo when you have people like these in your corner.

I had a surprise visit with friends and family in CT.



 

One evening in Connecticut, I enjoyed a beautiful dinner that became one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. The kind of evening that reminds you people show up for you in ways you don't expect.



 

And a night of laughter and Mexican Train tiles with people I love in VT. I was welcomed into homes with open arms, including by Kris and Shane and their sweet boy Archie, whose hospitality made the miles disappear.



Archie made sure I felt right at home.


There were kitchen table dinners, salmon, and asparagus, straight out of the oven, roasted sweet potatoes on the side, shared with people who wanted nothing more than to feed me, and hear about the road. 



Quiet library stops. Unexpected reunions. Reminders that I am deeply loved, even hundreds of miles from home. 


Somewhere between one bookstore and the next, my phone buzzed.

My daughters had sent me this:

"I'm so proud of you and you amaze me. I love you. I hope it's all going amazing."

I may have cried.

That message carried me another hundred miles down the road!



And coming home to New Hampshire, my tribe was waiting with a dinner table full of laughter and welcome.

The road always leads back to them. ❤️


The Car Snacks Deserve Their Own Paragraph

If you know me, you know I take my road trip snacks seriously. This tour ran on rice cakes loaded with hummus and avocado, protein shakes riding shotgun in the cupholder, and enough healthy snacks to survive both the miles and the threatening weather. Somewhere along the way, avocado toast on a rice cake became my signature "windshield meal." No regrets.






What I'll Remember Most

Books may open doors, but it's the relationships that make a journey like this unforgettable.

Winding roads.

Cherished CDs.

Century-old libraries.

Flower-lined porches.

Quiet conversations.

Gratitude, again and again...




Looking back, this wasn't just a bookstore tour it was a journey through New England filled with friendships, familiar places, new opportunities, and countless reminders of God's faithfulness. Every bookstore, every conversation, every mile, and every unexpected moment reinforced why I wrote these books in the first place. I'm deeply grateful to everyone who welcomed me along the way, and I can't wait to see where the next chapter leads.


Huge Thanks to Every Store That Took Me In

Rhode Island

Books on the Square, Providence RI Barrington Books, Barrington RI

Connecticut

Bank Square Books, Mystic CT

Vermont

Phoenix Books, Burlington VT Bear Pond Books, Montpelier VT Norwich Bookstore, Norwich VT

New Hampshire

Bookery Manchester, Manchester NH Gibson's Bookstore, Concord NH Reedmor Books & Brews, Portsmouth NH Sheafe Street Books, Portsmouth NH, Shops on Star, Star Island, Portsmouth NH

Maine

Longfellow Books, Portland ME Print: A Bookstore, Portland ME Sherman's Bookstore, Portland ME

Massachusetts

Brookline Booksmith, Brookline MA


  • 🚗 1,000+ miles driven
  • 📚 15 independent bookstores visited
  • 🌎 6 New England states
  • ☕ Countless cups of coffee

  • ❤️ Endless gratitude


    • Thank you to every bookstore owner, bookseller, friend, family member, and reader who welcomed me, encouraged me, opened your doors, or simply cheered me on. You helped make this journey unforgettable.


    If you live near one of these bookstores, I hope you'll stop in, support local booksellers, and say hello. Independent bookstores are the heart of our communities, and I'm honored that my books now have a home on their shelves.


    Come Say Hello!

    If you're in the Manchester area, I'd love to meet you in person.

    Bookery Manchester

    Saturday, August 22

    1:00–3:00 PM

    Reserve your spot here

    I'll be signing books, chatting with readers, and would love to say hello.



    Until the next adventure,
    Jackie Frary






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