A Literary Kick‑off in Kansas City
When the world’s attention turns to the soccer pitches of Qatar, a different kind of excitement was brewing in the heart of Kansas City. Independent bookstore Rainy Day Books opened its doors to a crowd of roughly 1,200 readers eager to meet author Anna McCollie as she introduced her latest work, *Abby Offsides*.
The novel follows a recently heart‑broken woman who relocates to Liverpool, joins a local soccer club and discovers love amid the city’s storied stadiums. McCollie said the story was inspired by the city’s vibrant football culture and the way sport can become a conduit for personal renewal.
The launch event featured a lively Q&A session with Today Show co‑host Jenna Bush Hager, who asked McCollie about the interplay between narrative and the global appeal of the sport. Bush Hager’s presence added a celebrity spark that attracted both literary enthusiasts and soccer fans.
Beyond the book, the gathering underscored the role of independent bookstores as community hubs. By pairing a themed launch with a discussion of local soccer culture, Rainy Day Books illustrated how literature can intersect with regional passions to foster connection.
The momentum will carry forward into July, when the store plans another high‑profile event with co‑authors James Patterson and Mike Lupico to promote their collaborative thriller *Country Road Murders*. The upcoming appearance promises another surge of readers eager to engage with both storytelling and the store’s unique atmosphere.