At Birdhouse Books, shelves and tables overflow with books of every genre, handmade gifts and quirky trinkets. Stepping inside, a tiny Yorkie named Mae Mae races forward while the owner, Abby Strite, offers a warm greeting to each visitor.
Nestled on Burnet Road, this independent, queer-owned book and gift store supports local authors and artists while hosting events that bring Austin’s literary and queer communities together. The cozy shop will transform into an escape room for sapphic singles, complete with literary puzzles, lockboxes and plenty of flirtation on Aug. 1.
In their second collaboration with Lin Cognito’s Murder Mystery Parties, Birdhouse Books will host Lin Cognito’s summer case, “Who Killed the Love Interest?” For $22 a ticket, nonbinary people, queer and trans women can solve a mystery while meeting potential matches. Attendees rotate in 10-minute rounds, working in pairs to answer themed questions and uncover clues.
“It’s essentially speed dating with no pressure,” said Megan Okonsky, Lin Cognito’s Murder Mystery Parties’ founder and host.“You don’t want to have to guess someone’s sexuality. You don’t have to guess someone’s relationship status. The singles event makes it easy to know everyone’s here for the same reason, but they’re also here to just have fun, be silly and not be too intense.”
Okonsky met Strite at Birdhouse Books while discussing her upcoming novel and knew the shop would be the perfect venue for the event. Okonsky brings the game; Strite offers the space. With beer provided by Zilker Brewing Co., the event keeps the fun of a night out without the noise or pressure of a bar.
“It’s a perfect partnership because our whole thing is for people, in particular queer people, to have a place where they feel safe and able to be their full selves,” Strite said. “If we’re going to do a dating event that promotes that, then it’s a partnership made in heaven.”
Even those with social anxiety find comfort in this setting. Alex Hopper, a returning guest, thanks Strite for giving her “a social life” and hosting a space where queer people can meet, mingle and make new connections.
“There was this joke going around like, ‘Where do all the sapphics go to meet people if they’re introverted and just want to crochet on the weekends?’” Hopper said. “This (event) would be good.”
Birdhouse Books holds literary events every week, while Lin Cognito, Okonsky’s game host alter ego, brings murder mystery parties to venues across Austin year-round. For sapphic singles searching for connection beyond the typical bar scene, this event mixes romance, puzzles and play in a cozy, welcoming space.
“I find that what does the best here is the stuff that I care the most about personally … like books and games and queerness,” Strite said. “If I can provide that space for people, then I did it. That’s the mission … Mae Mae will be there. Even if you can’t come to the event, just come see the store. Come say ‘Hi.’”