The Reading Lounge: Pretty Little Bookshelf with Alex Elle

Sunday, September 28, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

$20 | Mansard Room

This summer, forget the traffic, packed beaches, and sunburn. We’re heading to the heart of Washington, D.C. to experience pure bliss at The Reading Lounge at Planet Word with Pretty Little Bookshelf. 

Your invitation to The Reading Lounge awaits. Join us as we wrap up this intimate summer series where stories awaken, connections bloom, and community thrives. Whether you’re deep into your current read or searching for your next five-star favorite, this is your sanctuary for all things bookish.

Your Literary Oasis on September 28 includes silent reading time, journal prompts, and meaningful moments with Pretty Little Bookshelf and our special guest, NYT bestselling author Alex Elle, as we gather in community to celebrate literature, mindfulness, and the power of words of affirmation. 

Reading lounges are the trend taking over, from rooftop libraries in Los Angeles to candlelit corners in Brooklyn and now Washington, D.C. This is more than a book event. It’s a nostalgic nod to the magic of summer reading, a community celebration, and a soulful escape from the chaos of summer heat. 

Instead of hauling your books to the sweaty beach this summer, dive into a thoughtfully curated selection of books and literary treasures by MahoganyBooks. 

Come as you are and prepare to fall in love with literature all over again. The Reading Lounge is calling, and we’re saving you a seat. Plus, be sure to check out Pretty Little Bookshelf’s summer reading list here!

Program ticket includes optional museum gallery access which must be redeemed separately at the Welcome Desk in the lobby. For questions or concerns regarding accessibility needs, please contact [email protected].

Morgan Menzies (Pretty Little Bookshelf) is a Washington, D.C.-based literary enthusiast and community builder with a passion for bringing stories to life beyond the page. Through her platform, PrettyLittleBookshelf, she’s cultivated a vibrant online and local community where book lovers connect through storytelling, shared experiences, and dynamic bookish events. She has moderated author conversations at the Essence Festival of Culture, the Bronx Book Festival, and the Lincoln Center. From Book It Around DC — an audiobook walking club — to book swaps like Sips & Stacks, and book club discussions like Spring into Reading, Morgan creates immersive spaces that celebrate literature and community. When she’s not organizing literary gatherings, you can find Morgan browsing independent bookstores, shaping clay in a pottery class, or traveling.