BAMTP in the press

  • Books are my Third Place Feature on Redfin blog

    Organize and Beautify your Library: 10 Ideas for Storing Books

    Books hold a dear place in our hearts, often reminding us of memories, inspiring us to dream, and connecting us to different perspectives and experiences. Books are more than just stories; they can also serve as stunning decor and conversation starters in our homes.

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  • A Literary Lifestyle Haven - Books are my Third Place

    Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Whitlatch, Founder of Books are my Third Place.

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BAMTP Founder Bio

Ashley Whitlatch is the creator behind Books are my Third Place, a vibrant literary lifestyle blog, reader community, and weekly newsletter. She is also a seasoned brand marketer with almost 20 years of B2B/B2C marketing and brand storytelling experience. In addition to running her Shop of literary luxuries, Valor & Lore, which grew out of her growing book community, she also enables early stage startups and founders to launch and grow their brands as an fractional Marketing Exec + Brand Consultant. 

She was previously VP of Marketing at Rapport + Speech Graphics, a real-time, voice-driven animation technology, as well as Director of Marketing at Redkix (acquired by Facebook), and also spent four years at Prezi, Inc., leading global programs + partnerships, helping them grow from 9MM to 70MM+ subscribers worldwide. 

Ashley has a BA in Journalism from the University of Washington, and when she's not devouring the latest fantasy novel, you can find her exploring new countries, snapping photographs with her Sony alpha, and practicing her abysmal French. She resides in San Francisco.

Want to connect with Ashley about an interview or feature?

What’s the meaning behind the name, ‘Books are my Third Place’?

The concept of “third places” comes from sociology, a term coined by Ray Oldenburg. People have three main places: home, work, and third places—where you build community and connect with others around shared interests and hobbies. In the past these typically were places like cafes, churches, parks, members clubs, etc.

BAMTP and the connected shop, Valor & Lore, gives a nod to the cozy, sophisticated feeling of salons of the last century, but with a touch of modern whimsy, and the fantastical. No stuffiness. No pretentiousness.

Today, BAMTP strives to deliver a true sense of community, discovery, and connection around our shared love of great books, with a penchant for literary luxuries.

I’m honored to share this virtual ‘third place’ with you.

“But what destiny does not do is home visits.

You have to go for it.”

— Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind