How It All Began

What began as a cozy book club of ten close friends and family eager to dive back into reading has blossomed into the beloved Book Club Babes! Founded by the dynamic duo Alyssa and Jackie, this club quickly transformed into a vibrant community where members gather to discuss their Book of the Month, celebrate with delightful bookish goodies, and bask in themed decorations—because who doesn’t love a good theme? While Alyssa now leads the bookclub, Jackie's invaluable contributions continue to be cherished by all.

But their journey didn’t stop there! Recognizing the absence of a book market in their lively city, Alyssa and Jackie saw a golden opportunity to launch the first book market, organized by The Book Club Babes, in both summer and fall of 2025. The turnout exceeded all expectations, igniting their passion and unveiling a special spark within the community.

With incredible demand fueling their vision, they took it a step further, giving birth to Readers Fest! The large-scale author panel and book market kicked off on June 15, 2025, at Post Houston, where the local reading community flooded in with remarkable enthusiasm.

Now, Readers Fest is powered by a dedicated committee that proves it truly takes a village to orchestrate an event of this scale. These passionate book lovers are eager to craft an unforgettable experience for Houston’s reading community. As anticipation builds, they can’t wait for this year’s Readers Fest, excitedly looking forward to gathering with fellow book enthusiasts and celebrating the magic of reading together!

  • Book Club Babes 1st Anniversary | 2023

  • Hot Girls Read Book Market | 2025

  • A Fall Book Market

    | 2025

  • Readers Fest | 2026

  • Alyssa Y'barbo

    Founder

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    Authors, Sponsors, and Creative Direction

  • Dulce Ortiz

    Director

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    Vendors, Marketing, and Ambassadors

  • Taylor White

    Director

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    Facilitator and Volunteers

  • Chelsea Rising

    Author Lead

  • Alysa Campos

    Graphic Design Lead

  • Jessica Renee

    Graphic Designer

  • Melonie True

    Marketing Lead

  • Kaylie Carroll

    Sponsorship Lead

  • Leslie Vergara

    Vendor Lead

  • Mara Barrera

    Vendor Coordinator

  • Layla Gallo

    Vendor Coordinator