Obviously as a bookstore AND a coffee shop, we hire book lovers. Our staff covet stories, collect favorites, indulge in cover art discussions, and trade books with each other. Each staff member has a favorite genre and we all share our tastes and style.

The squealing when I open boxes usually tells me when I’ve hit the right purchase for the store shelves — and when I see the staff making piles of their own in the back to take home for Christmas gifts I KNOW I’ve found the perfect things for customers. Here are some of their favorites this year.

My favorite part of Christmas is the stockings. I live for tiny treats tucked in a stocking. Stationery, toys, candy, art supplies, pens, all of it. I shop for the store based on this affinity for little bits, so people always comment that they find all of their stocking stuffers here.

Book Club Book for January — choices

I know everyone shouts “buy local” “shop local” but for small businesses it’s everything to have your support. So I took the day to shop Pound Ridge with my bestie.

A former influencer decides to undergo a controversial new surgery to undo her years of filler and plastic surgery in search of rebirth and regain her loss of innocence.

Why we support Westchester Land Trust:

In a time when climate change is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, adding our local land preservation organization to the list seems like the perfect fit. Not only does the Land Trust preserve the local character of our town by creating open spaces in perpetuity, but allows for public access to nature trails and preserved areas for walking and learning…

Why we support Friends of Karen:

We have friends and family members who have had very sick kids, and I can tell you that the support they received from organizations like Friends of Karen made all the difference. Housing needs, care for siblings, financial support or just someone to call when you’re dealing with a sick kid is the thing that can tip you over the edge and help support the family during terrible times. Friends of Karen is magical. Right here in Westchester. Right here for families who need them…

Why we support Neighbor’s Link:

Neighbor’s Link is the most amazing place of welcome right here in the Mount Kisco area. A place for safety and training and a hand up for new immigrants to the area. Classes, job training, ESL classes, student support and much more…

Why we support the Community Center:

The Community Center of Northern Westchester is at the core of our community. When we first moved to the area it was a tiny little “engine that could”, collecting dry goods and clothes and has grown to house a food pantry, a huge donation center for clothes and baby goods, plus classes and support and job learning and even a retail stor…

Why we support NWH:

We moved to Westchester in 1997. That’s a long long time ago. In the convening years we have stopped at the hospital for the following: giving birth to two babies, one nearly broken baby finger, a set of stitches to a 3 year old forehead, a wrenched back, a sprained ankle, one appendix out, a very broken ankle, stitches to another forehead, cancer scares, and of course with numerous knife, burns, allergy attacks, tumbles, and issues to the “kids” at work in the kitchen. Every single time the hospital staff has been amazing, caring, and committed to our safely and attention, no matter who the patient was…

Reading through my Katonah Chamber email this morning (if you don’t get the newsletter you’re missing all the up to date news) and am just struck by how wonderful this little town is. Amazingly adorable events, caring shop keepers and community members, volunteer opportunities for all ages and interests, and more…

I just made toast for my 22 year old and myself. A decades long tradition of breakfasts in our house. It’s no wonder the Reading Room’s specialty is toasts, really. We are a toast family.

To attend the event, RSVP & purchase tickets — click here.

To purchase SINGLE raffle tickets ONLY and NOT attend, click here.

*You do not need to attend the event to win, but you must be able to pick up your winning item in person at the Reading Room. No shipping is possible.

Join us November 29th from 5-9pm for a night of community, fun, raffles, shopping, and more as we support local charities.

This past Tuesday night found us at the Bedford Playhouse for the Book event of the season! The launch of Sam Hollander’s book titled “21 Hit Wonder, Flopping My Way to the Top of the Charts, Adventures in Songwriting.” A

SAVE the DATE! So excited to announce that on November 20th at 11:30am we will be welcoming children’s author, Christina Geist, to the Reading Room for a reading and book signing.

NEW Menu item ALERT! Starting today we are offering a “boule” menu. What’s a boule? It’s a delicious bread shaped in a perfect bowl — we are baking them fresh daily and filling with the best quality ingredients for you — today we added the Egg Boule for the perfect weekend treat.

For years I’ve noticed the pretty little bike path that runs along Bedford Road between Bedford Hills and Katonah (across from the town offices) but I’d never actually gone on it. Folks! It is perfect

So, so excited to introduce our Soup-er Size soup meals. We are baking our own bread boules which will become bowls for our fantastic home made soups.