New city bookstore

Read My Lips, a new romance-focused bookstore, has opened its doors at 768 N. Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, founded by Nikki Odom. A metro Detroit native and former neonatal nurse practitioner, Odom moved with her husband and family to Marquette, Michigan, seeking a quieter pace of life. It was there that she launched the original Read My Lips — a community-centered space dedicated entirely to fans of the romance genre. “Romance is the number one selling genre,” said Odom. “This was a trend that I saw it before I opened the shop. It’s embracing the fact that woman always had to kind of hide the fact that they love romance books. (The shop) celebrates that genre, and that we don’t need to hide anymore.” From steamy contemporary love stories to sweeping historical epics, the bookstore’s shelves are stocked with titles that celebrate love in all its forms. Odom is passionate about showcasing the genre’s range, noting that romance includes everything from historical fiction and fantasy to the classics, paranormal tales, and modern-day love stories. The Birmingham location, housed in the former home of The French Lady restaurant, features a cozy front lounge and a charming outdoor space ideal for community events. The store plans to host author signings, themed parties, and meet-and-greets — all centered around a shared love for romance. An upcoming event, “The Midnight Release Party for Brimstone,” will celebrate the highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling novel Quicksilver by New York Times bestselling author Callie Hart. The event will be held on November 17, with full details available on the bookstore’s website: readmylipsbookshop.com.

Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Gigi Nichols. Send items for consideration to GigiNichols@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.