Driftwood Goes South of the Border

I got some great news this week: my book Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road has returned to where it all started–the shores of Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

I love knowing people around the globe are reading my words. But nothing has made me smile as much as finding out that Driftwood is now on the shelves of the Alma Libre Bookstore, within sight of the beaches where the idea for the book first came to me.

For twenty years, Alma Libre (which means “Free Soul”) has been nestled on the town square in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, half a block from the stunning blue Caribbean.

Puerto Morelos lies between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen and boasts not only one of the most pristine beaches in the area but also the best snorkeling.

When we lived in Mexico, we–like many expats–would make regular treks to Alma Libre, because it was the only bookstore in the Riviera Maya with a large selection of English-language books.

This tiny shop was always a hidden treasure for book lovers. Like any great bookstore, books were piled high and tucked into every nook and cranny. When you walked in the front door, you were immediately entranced by the goodies lining the shelves inside.

Then it began to grow, adding space and expanding to sell local handicrafts, foods, and gifts.

But most importantly, it became a community center of sorts. It is the kind of place tourists can find a special something to take home as well as honest information about the country they’ve come to visit.

Four years ago, after we left Mexico, Alma Libre changed hands and is now owned by veteran bookstore proprietors Caleb and Niki Moss.

When I told Caleb how much we used to like the store, he replied, “If you loved it back then, I can say with confidence that you would super adore it now. We have notched up not only the aesthetics but the curatorial for certain.”

For locals and expats, it’s a place to touch base with the outside world through books and conversation.

And now Caleb and Niki are featuring my book as a local item on their shelves. I am thrilled to be “home.”

So if you are heading down to the paradise known as the Riviera Maya, think about stopping by Alma Libre to pick up a copy of Driftwood and do some souvenir shopping.