Bread, Books, and Belonging: How Serena Utz Builds Community in St. Pete
There is a specific kind of magic that happens in the "third places" of Tampa Bay. You know the ones—the bookstores where the air smells like old paper and the night markets where you’re trading venmo handles for a loaf of bread still warm from the oven. This week, we’re leaning into the Human Heartbeat. We’re talking about the structures that hold us up when the "corporate hellscape" feels too loud: the books that let us escape and the community that catches us when we fall.
Watch the full podcast
Listen to the conversation
The Long Read – Wrangling the Narrative
Serena Utz doesn’t just "pick books." As the Book Club Coordinator for Tombolo Books, she’s more of a "Book Club Wrangler," balancing seven flagship clubs and five partnerships. Whether it’s the "wild and weird" Arts Passport group or something brand new, Serena has watched these groups evolve from pandemic-era Zoom boxes into deep, familial bonds.
The "grit" of this conversation, however, wasn't about genres—it was about the altar of community. Serena shared a powerful moment of vulnerability regarding how the friends she met through these clubs became her literal lifeline during a miscarriage. It’s a reminder that while the "art" (the book, the bread) gets us in the door, it’s the human connection that keeps us there.
We also got a masterclass in Trust Your Gut, Serena’s sourdough venture. Forget the grocery store plastic bags; this is a two-day labor of love involving "wild yeast" and hand-mixed dough. From Chocolate Brownie loaves to Jalapeño Cheddar, it’s fermentation as a form of local activism.
On Our Radar
- Tombolo Books Birthday Market: A celebration of the indie spirit that keeps our shelves full.
- Golden Isles Night Market: Catch Serena (and her bread) under the lights.
- Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club: Join Serena and Nicole to debunk the myth that Sci-Fi is an "old boys' club".