Two-Hour Podcast Special: Independent Bookstore Day at Port Key Books There are episodes that feel special while you’re recording them, and then there are the ones that stay with you long after the microphones are off. This Independent Bookstore Day special at Port Key Books was one of those rare, electric experiences. For two full hours, The Spilled Ink and Coffee Show stepped into a space where stories do not just sit on shelves, they breathe, connect, and transform. At the heart of it all is Crystal, owner and true Book Extraordinaire of @portkeybooks @portkeybookstore. To call her a bookseller feels far too small. She is a storyteller in her own right, weaving together people and pages with an ease that feels almost magical. Listening to her share how Port Key Books began, you quickly realize this is not just a bookstore. It is a living, evolving community. A place where readers become friends, where authors become family, and where every event feels like unlocking a new chapter. And the events. From intimate book clubs to unforgettable author signings, to the dazzling Bookish Balls where readers arrive in gorgeous fashion to celebrate the stories they love, Port Key Books offers more than meets the eye. It is endless magic waiting to be discovered. Crystal’s go to recommendation during our conversation was City of Thieves by David Benioff (@DavidBenioff2 @davidbenioffofficial), a novel that speaks to the kind of gripping, human storytelling she champions. And speaking of storytelling, her own life is intertwined with it. She is married to a Veteran and published author, Aramis Calderon, whose work Fugitive Son (@aramis.calderon.writes @aramiscalderonauthor) reflects both service and creativity. Their shared world of words is inspiring and grounded in both sacrifice and passion. Crystal also encouraged readers to dive into the lush worlds of Jacqueline A. Carey (@jcareyauthor), especially for those craving fantasy and romantasy with depth and beauty. Throughout the episode, we did not just talk about books, we talked with the people who love them. Port Key patrons and friends joined in, sharing their thoughts, laughter, and recommendations. Our signature book review raffle added to the excitement and built toward a moment of celebration for our community. And yes, this episode is packed with bookish gems. We explored titles and authors lighting up shelves right now: The Kindred’s Curse Saga by @authorpenncole The Wicked Sea & Bitten by @jordanstephaniegray, fresh from her Port Key signing Project Hail Mary by @andyweirauthor @andyweirofficialever, which led us into a lively debate on movie versus book versus audiobook The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (@kuangrf) The Correspondence by @virginia.l.evans Improbably Yours by Cary Ann King Dungeon Crawler Carl Series by @mattdinniman Yesteryear by @caroclaireburke Trad Wife by @saratogaishere The Night Guest by @hildurknutsdottir Piranesi by @susannaclarke_ The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by @veschwab Hollow by @carolinepeckham Divine Rivals by @rebeccajross The Road of Bones by @demiwinterswrites Redshirts by @jscalzi And of course, ACOTAR by @sarahjmaas Somewhere between these conversations, we found ourselves asking a question that lingered beautifully. What do YOU define as magical realism? In a place like Port Key Books, that line between the real and the magical feels wonderfully blurred. We even uncovered a quirky favorite snack among book lovers, dry ramen and coffee. Not exactly gourmet, but undeniably iconic. We could not celebrate Independent Bookstore Day without a major shoutout to @librofm and the GOLDEN TICKET, reminding us how important it is to support independent bookstores in every format. And of course, celebration time. Congratulations to Scarlett, the winner of The Spilled Ink and Coffee Show Bookish Gift Bag, filled with all your book journaling essentials. Your next chapter just got a little more magical. Speaking of journaling, Book Journaling 101 Workshops are coming soon from The Spilled Ink and Coffee Show, and we cannot wait to dive deeper into how we capture our reading lives. This episode was not just a recording. It was a gathering. A reminder of why independent bookstores matter, why stories matter, and why community matters. Be sure you are following @thespilledinkandcoffeeshow and @portkeybooks so you never miss a moment, an event, or a little bit of magic. Because if this episode proved anything, it is this. When books bring people together, something extraordinary always happens. 📚✨ TWO-HOUR PODCAST SPECIAL ✨📚 Independent Bookstore Day @portkeybooks @portkeybookstore We spent TWO incredible hours inside the magic that is Port Key Books with Crystal, owner, storyteller, and true Book Extraordinaire 💫 From how it all began to the way she connects people to people and people to books… this place is pure community, connection, and bookish joy. And yes… the BOOKISH BALLS? Stunning. Fashion. Books. Celebration. Say less. Crystal’s go-to rec: City of Thieves by @DavidBenioff2 @davidbenioffofficial We also talk about her husband, Veteran and author Aramis Calderon (Fugitive Son) @aramis.calderon.writes @aramiscalderonauthor ❤️ And if you love fantasy/romantasy, she says RUN to @jcareyauthor 👀 🎤 We chat with Port Key patrons & friends 🎟️ Book review raffle fun 📚 Endless stories, events, authors, book clubs… MAGIC PLUS we dive into ALL the books: @authorpenncole Kindred’s Curse Saga @jordanstephaniegray The Wicked Sea & Bitten (yes she signed at Port Key!) @andyweirauthor @andyweirofficialever Project Hail Mary (movie vs book vs audiobook 👀) @kuangrf The Poppy War @virginia.l.evans The Correspondence Cary Ann King Improbably Yours @mattdinniman Dungeon Crawler Carl @caroclaireburke Yesteryear @saratogaishere Trad Wife @hildurknutsdottir The Night Guest @susannaclarke_ Piranesi @veschwab The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue @carolinepeckham Hollow @rebeccajross Divine Rivals @demiwinterswrites The Road of Bones @jscalzi Redshirts @sarahjmaas ACOTAR 💭 BIG QUESTION: What do YOU define as Magical Realism? ☕️🍜 Also… dry ramen & coffee = elite bookish snack?? We said what we said ✨ Shoutout to @librofm and the GOLDEN TICKET 🎉 CONGRATS SCARLETT 🎉 Winner of The Spilled Ink & Coffee Show Bookish Gift Bag full of journaling goodies!! 📝 Book Journaling 101 Workshops coming SOON 👉 Follow @thespilledinkandcoffeeshow + @portkeybooks so you never miss the magic
