Solo Pursuit: Booklovers’ Breakfast

Last weekend, I went to the Booklovers’ Breakfast, my first time attending since moving to Baltimore. I figured it’d be a good way to kick off Black History Month. Plus, Imani Perry was the featured speaker, and while I hadn’t read her new book yet, I knew her name from social media and her last book about the South. Seemed like the perfect solo outing.

Getting There

I took the 94 bus, planning to hop on the Charm City Circulator, but the transit app was wrong—it doesn’t run before 9 AM on weekends. Had to call a Lyft from the bus stop, but thankfully, I still made it on time.

I got to the Marriott Waterfront at exactly 8:30 AM but didn’t go in right away. I thought I’d be the only one there that early, so I sat by the harbor for a bit, listening to the ducks and watching runners and dog walkers go by. When I finally went inside around 8:45, I was surprised—the line was already long. Way longer than I expected.

Inside the Event

The ticket line moved fast, and I was seated at Table 9, right up front. Score! A woman stopped me to ask if I’d take her group’s photo, and after that, I settled in and took in the room. It was buzzing with conversation—mostly Black women, mostly middle-aged—and I could tell this was going to be good.

The breakfast buffet was solid: bacon, eggs, hash, fruit, croissants, oatmeal, juice, coffee—the works. The event cost $50, and for the food alone, it was worth it. I tried chatting with my tablemates—three Black women probably around my age—but they weren’t really engaging. That was fine; I wasn’t here to socialize anyway.

The new library CEO opened the event, followed by the board chair. Neither was particularly engaging, but when they did a roll call for book clubs, I realized just how big this was. The event has been around for 37 years, and a ton of book clubs were in attendance. That part made me wonder if I should join one, but no info was provided—probably to avoid conflicts of interest.

The Speaker & Takeaways

Imani Perry took the stage, and her talk was… interesting. Not the most dynamic speaker—definitely more lecture-like in her approach—but I stayed focused and managed to jot down a few notes:

• Alain Locke

• James Weldon Johnson & the Black National Anthem

• Blues music

• Banned books & the importance of reading them anyway

• Creating beauty at the site of the wound

• “Go the way your blood beats.”

It was a good talk, even if it wasn’t directly about her book. That’s something I always forget—book talks aren’t necessarily about the book itself but the ideas surrounding it.

Final Thoughts

I bought the book after the event but didn’t linger. That wasn’t the point.

I also didn’t feel self-conscious about being there alone. The size of the event (600 attendees!) meant I blended in easily, and this wasn’t the type of space where anyone would really notice. I did scroll my phone a bit while eating, but that’s normal.

Oh, and I wore a chocolate brown corduroy dress with black flats—not a combo I usually go for, but it worked. The crowd was smart casual, with some jeans here and there.

Overall, I’m glad I went. This wasn’t a social outing for me—it was about intellectual stimulation and cultural connection, and it delivered. Solid solo pursuit.