It's a gray, cloudy morning in Hermosa Beach. Surfers look toward the pale, bright horizon. Pearly clouds gather over the ocean in the distance, a sight that evokes the melancholic landscapes of Virginia Woolf's novels.
A few blocks inland, the vibes are less pensive and more effusive at Fleuria, L.A.'s first romance book truck. Crowded in the mobile bookstore, Alaina Lester proclaims her passion for romance novels to other book enthusiasts. She praises “Love and Other Conspiracies” by Mallory Marlowe. His sales pitch revolves around the leading man: “He's like a passionate conspiracy theorist. If there is such a thing.”
This Sunday morning, a group of book lovers, nearly 90 strong, gathered in a parking lot for the Fleuria Audiobook Walking Club, a monthly event hosted by owner Stephanie Pao. The event is similar to a silent disco for readers. Audiobook enthusiasts gather for coffee and conversation before walking along the beach, listening to their audiobooks and sharing recommendations as they go. Not everyone reads the same books, but it doesn't matter.
This Sunday in September, about 90 people showed up to walk on the beach and listen to audiobooks together, mostly romantic titles.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Suddenly, the clouds dissipate. After a silent hour-long walk along the beach, the crowd takes off their noise-canceling headphones and begins chatting animatedly. Sweatshirts and caps display slogans such as “Hot Girls Read” and “Banned Books Lover.” One attendee, Kaley Robinson, was listening to “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn. She describes it as “about McCarthyism and the Red Scare. It's also a bit of a murder mystery.”
Over the past two decades, audiobooks have seen a surge in popularity, which has been accentuated in recent years by the pandemic and audio streaming services. In parallel, walking clubs with audiobooks have emerged throughout the country, from Washington, D.C., to Tennessee. Pao started the meeting in the Los Angeles area after stumbling upon audiobook walks on TikTok. “I saw another bookstore doing something similar in Florida.”
Kaley Robinson holds a printout of “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn as she listens to the title on her phone.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Pao had low expectations going into the event, but just three months later, it has become wildly popular: attendance nearly doubles each month. “I really thought it would be me and five people. I was surprised by how many people want community within the book space,” Pao says.
Pao explains that the appeal of the audiobook walking club lies in the combination of socialization and exercise, especially with the picturesque backdrop of Hermosa Beach. “We exercise, but we also get to chat afterwards and meet more book lovers.”
Because Fleuria is a romance book truck, event attendees are largely voracious romance novel readers, a genre that has received renewed interest in recent years, Pao says. “It's been the best-selling genre for many decades. Now, the difference is that people are more actively talking about it.”
Stephanie Pao is sitting inside her romance book truck, the Fleuria.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Romance books are even more popular after the pandemic, says Stephanie Pao, owner of Fleuria.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
“A fundamental principle of romance is that there is a happy ending,” Pao argues. Precarious and uncertain times make love stories even more seductive. “During the pandemic years, it was nice to know that what you were reading would have a happily ever after ending. Now it's also an escape for people.”
While the pandemic sparked renewed interest in literature, in the years since readers have turned to in-person literary events to build community. “Social media has helped people read again,” Pao explains. “I love it, because I've been a lifelong reader, so I'm excited to help people read more.”
Shyness is welcome in the audiobook walking club, Pao notes. There is no pressure to make concise and insightful comments. “You can be more introverted. It's not necessarily just about discussing a book or having thoughts about a book; it's more about being open to talking to other book lovers,” Pao adds.
In a culture where Amazon dominates the publishing industry, Pao hopes his audiobook walking club will make literary conversations more personal. “When you're at Target or Amazon, you're not interacting with anyone or chatting about books or getting recommendations. I think people really crave that.”
Andrea Hernández listens to “Scythe & Sparrow” by Brynne Weaver. He has decorated his headphones with a Fleuria Audiobook Walking Club sticker.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
One of the attendees, Kelly Hernandez, is a new fan of audiobooks. “Personally, I love them. It's a great way to start reading even if you're busy,” Hernandez explains. Audiobook walks have allowed him to connect with the reading community. “Honestly, it's very relaxing. It's a way to meet other like-minded people who share the same passion for books.”
While women mainly attend the walks, Pao jokes that every once in a while a man shows up. This Sunday a baby in a stroller and a dog joined the outing.
Stephanie Pao takes a walking photo of the ecstatic members of her book club.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Walking on the beach, Brittany Brown and Tatiana Espy, two best friends, explain that they are on a health and fitness journey, which led them to the audiobook walking club. “It's a good collaboration to bring together like-minded people who want to take advantage of the health aspect, working the mind and body at the same time,” says Espy.
Books that walkers listened to
Brown and Espy say the community element, the sharing of book titles, is what keeps them coming back. “The first thing we noticed was how friendly and welcoming everyone was. I feel like that's a reflection of Stephanie. That's the energy she brings,” Brown says.
As audiobook walks continue to gain popularity, Pao hopes to connect the literary community in new ways. In October, debut novelist and Hermosa Beach local Lauren Okie will join the audiobook walking club. Her debut novel, “The Best Worst Thing,” is set in Hermosa Beach, and the group will walk along the wooded trails detailed in the book.
“I'm really surprised by how many people want to do this together. People are driving all the way from Lake Arrowhead just to do this. That makes me really excited,” Pao says.
The next Walking club with Fleuria audiobooks will take place on October 19 at 9:30 am at the Amarillo Stadium Jersey Pastry shop in Playa Hermosa.
