Houston, TX – Basket Books and Art, the independent bookstore and art gallery located in the Montrose neighborhood, recently hosted a highly successful "Summer Tour" event with County Highway, drawing a standing-room only crowd. The event, described by County Highway as "another standing-room only night of stories, books and other fun," underscored the venue's role as a vital community hub. The tweet from County Highway expressed immense gratitude, calling Basket Books a "model of what a community bookstore can be."
Basket Books and Art, co-owned by Laura Hughes and Edwin Smalling, opened its doors in May 2022, quickly establishing itself as a unique cultural space. The establishment, named after Gertrude Stein's beloved poodle, aims to foster a creative and intellectual exchange by blending contemporary art with literature and thought. It offers a curated selection of books and features an upstairs area dedicated to art exhibits.
County Highway, the host of the "Summer Tour," is an independent publication styled as a 19th-century newspaper, founded by David Samuels, Walter Kirn, and Ryan Baesemann. Launched post-pandemic, the magazine has rapidly grown its readership, focusing on diverse aspects of American life, culture, and current events. Their "Summer Tour" is an ongoing series of events designed to connect with readers and promote literary and artistic engagement across various locations.
The overwhelming turnout at the Houston event highlights a strong community appetite for literary gatherings and local cultural experiences. Basket Books and Art's commitment to providing a space for such interactions aligns with its mission to be a nexus for art and literature. The success of the "Summer Tour" stop reinforces the bookstore's reputation as a cherished fixture in Houston's vibrant arts scene.