It’s a cloudy, grey morning in Hermosa Seaside. Surfers stare out towards the pale, glowing horizon. Pearly clouds collect over the ocean within the distance, a view that evokes the moody landscapes of Virginia Woolf’s novels.
A couple of blocks inland, the vibes are much less pensive, extra effusive on the Fleuria — Los Angeles’ first romance e book truck. Crowded across the cellular bookstore, Alaina Lester is proclaiming her ardour for love novels to fellow e book lovers. She’s praising “Love And Different Conspiracies” by Mallory Marlowe. Her gross sales pitch hinges on the heartthrob protagonist: “He’s like a sizzling conspiracy theorist. If there even is such a factor.”
This Sunday morning, a bunch of e book lovers — virtually 90 of them — assembled in a parking zone for the Fleuria Audiobook Strolling Membership, a month-to-month occasion organized by proprietor Stephanie Pao. The occasion is akin to a silent disco for readers. Audiobook lovers convene for espresso and dialog earlier than strolling alongside the seaside, listening to their audiobooks, and sharing endorsements as they go. They don’t all learn the identical books, but it surely doesn’t matter.
On this Sunday in September, almost 90 individuals confirmed as much as stroll alongside the seaside and take heed to audiobooks collectively, largely romance titles.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
All of a sudden, the clouds skinny. After an hour-long silent beachside stroll, the group peels off their noise-cancelling headphones and breaks into vigorous chatter. Sweatshirts and hats show slogans like “Sizzling Women Learn” and “Banned Books Lover.” One attendee, Kaley Robinson, was listening to “The Briar Membership” by Kate Quinn. She describes it as “about McCarthyism and the Pink Scare. It’s a little bit little bit of a homicide thriller too.”
Over the past 20 years, audiobooks have skilled a surge in recognition, which has been heightened lately by the pandemic and audio streaming companies. In tandem, audiobook strolling golf equipment have popped up throughout the nation from Washington, D.C., to Tennessee. Pao initiated the L.A.-area gathering after stumbling upon audiobook walks on TikTok. “I noticed one other bookstore doing one thing related in Florida.”
Kaley Robinson holds a tough copy of “The Briar Membership” by Kate Quinn whereas listening to the title on her telephone.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
Pao had low expectations when beginning the occasion, however solely three months in, it has grow to be wildly in style — attendance virtually doubling every month. “I genuinely thought it might be me and 5 individuals. I used to be stunned by how many individuals need neighborhood throughout the e book area,” says Pao.
Pao explains that the enchantment of the audiobook strolling membership lies within the mixture of socializing and train, particularly in opposition to the picturesque backdrop of Hermosa Seaside. “We’re getting train, but additionally having the ability to chitchat afterwards and meet extra e book lovers.”
As a result of Fleuria is a romance e book truck, attendees of the occasion are largely voracious romance readers, a style that has obtained renewed curiosity lately, Pao says. “It has been the best-selling style for a lot of many years. Now, what’s completely different is individuals are extra actively talking about it.”
Stephanie Pao sits inside her romance e book truck, the Fleuria.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
Romance books are much more in style after the pandemic, says Fleuria proprietor Stephanie Pao.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
“A core tenet of romance is that there’s a fortunately ever after,” argues Pao. Precarious and unsure occasions make love tales much more seductive. “Through the pandemic years, it was good to know what you’re studying would have a fortunately ever after. It’s an escape for individuals now too.”
Whereas the pandemic prompted a renewed curiosity in literature, readers have turned to in-person literary occasions to construct neighborhood within the years since. “Social media has helped push individuals again into studying,” explains Pao. “I like that, as a result of I’ve been a lifelong reader, so I’m excited to assist get individuals studying extra.”
Shyness is welcome on the audiobook strolling membership, Pao notes. There’s no strain to make pithy and profound feedback. “You might be extra introverted. It’s not essentially simply discussing a e book or having ideas on a e book; it’s extra about being open to speaking to different e book lovers,” provides Pao.
In a tradition the place Amazon dominates the publishing business, Pao hopes her audiobook strolling membership will make literary conversations extra private. “Once you’re at Goal or on Amazon, you’re not interacting with anyone and chitchatting about books or getting suggestions. I believe individuals are craving that lots.”
Andrea Hernandez listens to “Scythe & Sparrow” by Brynne Weaver. She’s embellished her headphones with a Fleuria Audiobook Strolling Membership sticker.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
One of many attendees, Kelly Hernandez, is a brand new fan of audiobooks. “I personally love them. It’s a good way to get your studying in even in the event you’re busy,” explains Hernandez. The audiobook walks have allowed her to bond with the studying neighborhood. “It’s actually actually stress-free. It’s a method to meet different like-minded individuals who share the identical ardour for books.”
Whereas girls primarily attend the walks, Pao jokes that the occasional man seems. On this Sunday, a child in a stroller and a canine joined the outing.
Stephanie Pao takes a photograph of her ecstatic e book membership members on foot.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
Strolling alongside the seaside, Brittany Brown and Tatiana Espy, two finest mates, clarify that they’re on a well being and health journey, which led them to the audiobook strolling membership. “It’s a very good collaboration of bringing like-minded people who wish to make the most of the well being facet, working your thoughts and your physique on the similar time,” says Espy.
Books walkers had been listening to
Brown and Espy say the neighborhood component, buying and selling e book titles, is what retains them returning. “The very first thing we seen was how variety and welcoming everyone was. I really feel like that’s a mirrored image of Stephanie. That’s the power that she brings,” says Brown.
Because the audiobook walks proceed to achieve recognition, Pao seems ahead to connecting the literary neighborhood in new methods. In October, Hermosa Seaside native and debut novelist Lauren Okie will probably be becoming a member of the audiobook strolling membership. Her debut novel, “The Finest Worst Factor,” is ready in Hermosa Seaside, and the group will hike the tree-lined trails detailed within the e book.
“I’m genuinely simply stunned by how many individuals wish to do that collectively. Individuals drive from Lake Arrowhead simply to do that. That makes me so excited,” says Pao.
The subsequent Fleuria Audiobook Strolling Membership will happen on Oct. 19 at 9:30 a.m. on the Yellow Jersey Pattisserie in Hermosa Seaside.
