Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
Whether you’re browsing for a new book, grabbing coffee with a friend or picking up a gift, Katonah Reading Room seems to have it all. This bookstore-meets-coffee-shop-meets-gift-store-meets-sweets-shop has been a favorite destination for locals in Katonah and their neighbors for over 12 years.
But shopping isn’t the reason they won our community builder award; it’s because they’re truly a community hub. Sure, you’ll find friends catching up, but you’ll also find lively book discussions, author readings, watercolor sessions and educational events with local nonprofits. As good neighbors, the Reading Room regularly donates to a wide range of charitable funds and uses their social media following for good, helping nonprofits spread the word about special donation requests. Plus, at the end of the day, all leftover food is donated to the Community Center of Northern Westchester.
Off The Record
Their building, originally the town’s library, was one of the buildings moved by horses and logs when Katonah was forced to relocate for the NYC reservoir. According to the staff, the building is haunted.
Runner-up: OHHO, Bedford
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
