Fall into September with Paper & Vine Book Bar

Fall into September with Paper & Vine Book Bar

by Megan Dixon in Blogs

As summer gently gives way to crisp autumn breezes, there’s no better place to settle with a good read (and maybe a delightful drink) than Paper & Vine Book Bar, Midland’s coziest bookstore. This September, we've got a special lineup that celebrates community, mystery, and a dash of indulgence.

📖 Featured Events & Book Clubs

Thursday, Sept 4 — Book of the Month Club: Battle of the Bookstores

Kick off the month with a lively discussion on Battle of the Bookstores. Doors open at 5 PM, discussion starts at 6 PM. Bring your thoughts, sip a drink, and join fellow readers for a night of literary fun.

Friday, Sept 5 — Chocolate & Chick-Lit

The perfect pairing: decadent chocolate and lighthearted, feel-good reads. A sweet way to start the weekend.

Thursday, Sept 11 — Fantasy Book Club: Knight and the Moth

Dive into magical realms and epic storytelling as the Fantasy Book Club takes on Knight and the Moth.

Thursday, Sept 18 — Thriller Book Club: Killer Potential

For readers who crave suspense—this month’s thriller pick is Killer Potential. Expect twists, turns, and plenty of discussion.

Thursday, Sept 25 — Book & Bottle Club: The Sicilian Inheritance

Our signature monthly pairing returns! Enjoy Jo Piazza’s The Sicilian Inheritance with a carefully selected Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc IGP 2024. Perfect for savoring the last warm evenings of the season. Please note: This unique offering is first come, first serve—so don’t wait! Pickup is in store only, and ID verification is required at pickup (you must be 21+).

🍷 Social & Specialty Gatherings

Tuesday, Sept 9 — Prosecco & Prose

Raise a glass of bubbly while sharing stories and poetry in this relaxed, prose-filled evening.

Tuesday, Sept 16 — WTX Mahjong Event

Tiles, strategy, and a touch of competitive spirit—join the West Texas Mahjong community for a night of fun.

Wednesday, Sept 24 — Bingo Night

Classic bingo with a Paper & Vine twist. Grab a drink, grab your card, and maybe grab a prize!

Saturday, Sept 27 — Midland Mahj Night

Another round of Mahjong to close out the month—perfect for both newcomers and experienced players.

🎉 Fun Nights Out

Saturday, Sept 13 — Twilight Trivia Night

Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Test your Twilight saga knowledge with themed trivia, laughs, and maybe even some sparkling surprises.

Why September at Paper & Vine is Unmissable

  • Seasonal Comfort with Style: Sip, read, and relax in the store’s inviting atmosphere perfectly suited for fall escapes.
  • Unique & Thoughtful Pairings: Elevate your reading experience with the Bottle & Book Club—because books are better with wine.
  • Community-Focused Events: Whether you're a long-time reader or new to book clubs, the September discussion welcomes all with a warm, inclusive vibe.

Check out our events page for more information on all of these events!

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Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings - Book Review

Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings - Book Review

📚 The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings — Book Review & Reflections (2025) ⭐ Quick Take I’ve never felt more grateful for my own family than after finishing this book. The Conditions of Will is a layered, emotionally intense story about trauma, identity, and the complicated, often painful path toward healing—especially when those around you refuse to change. While the romance element felt a bit repetitive for me, the emotional depth and family dynamics more than made up for it. 📖 Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance / Literary Drama 🔗 Buy it here: https://amzn.to/42vKPVu Currently on Prime days for 9$, sis!!! 🎯 Rating: 4.3/5 ⸻ 🖋️ What’s It About? At its core, The Conditions of Will is a deeply emotional novel centered around Georgia Carter, a woman with an uncanny ability to read people—and a past she’s spent years trying to silence. When her estranged father’s death pulls her back into the orbit of her complex, dysfunctional family, long-buried secrets start to surface. As Georgia confronts the truth about her childhood, her father, and herself, she’s also navigating a forbidden connection with Sam, her brother’s AA sponsor. It’s a book about unraveling: of lies, identities, and relationships, and what happens when you stop hiding from the truth—even when others still do. ⸻ 🧠 First Impressions Going in, I expected a compelling family drama, but I wasn’t prepared for how much it would hit emotionally. I found myself reflecting a lot on my own family dynamics. This book dug up a lot: grief, guilt, resentment, and love, all tangled together. There were moments I was bored or frustrated with the romance arc—it often felt repetitive—but when I zoom out, it served a larger purpose in showing how our patterns in love often reflect our unresolved wounds. ⸻ 🕵️♀️ Themes & Takeaways This book dives deep into the uncomfortable reality that healing doesn’t always come with closure—or change from those who hurt us. It’s about what it means to accept yourself, even when others won’t. And it asks: Can you find peace when the people who broke you still refuse to own what they’ve done? Some of the major themes that stood out to me: • Truth vs. Silence — how much it costs to finally speak, and how freeing it can be • Family trauma & favoritism — the way siblings can be assigned roles that define their whole lives • Self-worth — especially in the context of abuse, secrecy, and parental rejection • Love as risk — and how love rooted in truth is always messier, but more real One of my biggest takeaways: Healing is not about fixing other people—it’s about freeing yourself, even if no one else comes with you. ⸻ 🎨 Writing Style & Pacing Jessa Hastings has a beautifully observant writing style—layered, introspective, and full of quiet tension. That said, some parts of the book, especially the romantic repetition between Georgia and Sam, slowed the pacing for me. But Hastings nails emotional complexity and inner monologue. If you like character-driven stories that linger on nuance and don’t rush to the next plot point, you’ll love her voice. ⸻ 👥 Characters Georgia is one of the most complex protagonists I’ve read in a while. Her trauma isn’t just part of her backstory—it shapes every interaction, every silence, every impulse. Sam, too, is layered, though at times I wished we got more depth from him beyond his role in Georgia’s journey. Oliver stood out for me—his pain, his honesty, and his redemption arc hit hard. The rest of the Carter family? A tangle of secrets, silence, and bitterness. 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While I had mixed feelings about parts of the romance, the depth of the story—particularly around truth, self-worth, and familial dysfunction—stuck with me long after the final page. This is not a tidy book. But that’s exactly why it matters. It reflects the real-life chaos of healing when those around you are still choosing denial. It’s about deciding to move forward anyway. 🔗 Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/42vKPVu ⸻ 💡 Bonus: Pair It With… • 🎶 Song: “Family Line” by Conan Gray • ☕ Drink: Black coffee with a splash of oat milk—strong, a little bitter, but grounding • 📘 If you liked this, try: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane or The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller ⸻ 🗣️ Let’s Talk! Have you read The Conditions of Will? What did you think about Georgia’s journey or the role of truth in the story? Drop your thoughts or favorite quotes in the comments—I’d love to hear your take.  

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October Happenings: Cozy Reads, Craft Nights & Spooky Fun!

October Happenings: Cozy Reads, Craft Nights & Spooky Fun!

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Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft

Read if you like: 👻 Feeling like someone is watching you🎧 True Crime podcasts👀 Perspective of the killer🌧️ Pacific Northwest weather💪 Stories of survival and resilience after trauma Nola Strate is no stranger to the morbid and paranormal. After an encounter with a serial killer as a child, she grew up to carry on her father’s radio show which specializes in hauntings and cryptid sightings. Until one evening when she receives a call to the radio show that takes her back to her childhood. What was initially believed to be a hoax call turns out to be the return of a prolific Pacific Northwest murderer-the very same one taht Nola survived in her youth.  As an avid thriller consumer, I was instantly interested in reading Night Watcher based on the creepy night vision cover art. Yes, I judged a book by its cover, and I’m so glad I did. Although I am normally skeptical about podcasters writing novels, Daphne Woolsoncroft has done an excellent job at creating a fictional story based on her own experience with an unsolved murder of a family member. Night Watcher creates a creepy ambiance that had me nervous to listen to the book after dark. This particular boom depicted a voyeuristic insight into the mind of a calculated stalker turned serial killer. I found myself holding my breath as I listened to it on my drive home, begging the characters to look over their shoulder or check the locks one more time. While I did have some issues with the resolution of the book, the storytelling along the way was so fun and creepy that I’m willing to forgive a trope I’m not a fan of. Overall, I would give Night Watcher a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It is a perfect read as we transition into the fall season, but don’t say I didn’t warn you if you find yourself sleeping with a light on. If you want to read, you can find copies of the book here: HardcovereBook

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