April 17, 2026

36 Hours in NYC

One day on my own in New York City to do whatever I want to do: what a gift! It began fortuitously when I got to the airport early enough for my 9am flight to be switched to the 7:45. My first stop was the central branch of the New York Public Library which proved even more awe inspiring than I’d imagined.

Next up I went to see my novel in a NYC bookshop, and it wasn’t only on display at McNally Jackson at Rockefeller Centre, but a lovely human bought a copy while I was there, making my day AGAIN.

And then I went to visit Sweet Pickle Books, because as author of a book blog called Pickle Me This, I’ve had people tell me over and over about this place where books can be exchanged for jars of pickles.

And then to Chinatown, where I had a pineapple pork bun and visited Yu & Me Books on the recommendation of my friend Denise.

And then to Greenwich Village, where Lauren gave me all the intel. I walked Cornelia Street and did not bless the rains, because it was sunny and 30 degrees, but there were kaleidoscopic heartbeats. I walked past Stonewall, found Ellen Raskin’s house, went to Three Lives Co, and visited the beautiful Jefferson Market Library.

And then came uptown to meet friends for dinner, and afterwards we stopped at Book Culture which was supposed to have two copies of #DefinitelyThriving, but only one was left (the other had sold) and I got to sign it!

I didn’t take many photos at the Totally Booked with Zibby live podcast recording the next day, as I was too steeped in the atmosphere and experience. I stayed for the morning session and was riveted by conversations with Morgan Radford and Jess H. Gutierrez about their books, the novel NOW THEN and memoir in essays ADULTING FOR AMATEURS. And what an honour to be among them and to get to talk about #DefinitelyThriving with esteemed reader Zibby Owens who brings real insight and curiosity into each conversation and does it all with ZERO NOTES. (!)

Afterwards, we had the opportunity to sign books and then to meet and speak with attendees, who were so interesting, kind, and bookishly inclined (of course!).

And then I emerged into the sunshine with Jess, and we quickly found ourselves fast friends, walking down 6th Avenue, taking Manhattan like a pair of loveable muppets, and she was very understanding when I lost my mind at seeing Radio City Music Hall, the very place where Daddy Warbucks had bought out the 8 o’clock show.

It was the most beautiful day yesterday, New York City perhaps the prettiest place on the planet. I got to Newark Airport far earlier than I needed to with blisters on the bottom of my feet. I kind of regret not buying the oversized souvenir t-shirt that read MOMMY’S LITTLE MEATBALL.

Such a whirlwind! I could not have had a more exciting or delightful 36 hours. I am the luckiest. What a time!