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The Start:

​Once upon a time….
At age twenty-two, I embarked on a seven-day scuba diving trip to St. Maarten with a boyfriend. Unfortunately, upon arrival, he declared himself 'just a friend,' leaving me lonely and unhappy. Luckily, I had brought a book, "Cry to Heaven" by Anne Rice, which saved my trip. This experience taught me to always pack a book when traveling, a lesson that stuck with me even after a successful career as a television and film producer. Now, I've embarked on a new adventure with Bedside Reading, a luxury amenity program that gifts complimentary books in hotel rooms, by the pool, fireside, and VIP deliveries.VIPs. 
Founder, Jane Ubell-Meyer

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...the story continues
​In 2002, a friend of mine, (who became my partner) suggested that I start a business placing books and products on the Hampton Jitney. Back then, If you received a gift bag from  "Buzz Bags" on The Jitney or the Luxury Liner that was us!  Shortly after we launched, we were invited to create gift bags for Sting's Rainforest Foundation, and of course the word got out and we started gifting the opening parties for Broadway premieres, then the GRAMMY awards and it seemed we were in business. In 2004, I went solo and created Madison & Mulholland. My new company delivered gift bags for first and business class passengers onUnited Airlines worked with Virgin America (yes, I did hang out with Richard Branson), gifted Paul McCartney, (for his fundraiser at UCLA), Oscar®, GRAMMY®, Emmy® winners and nominees., film festivals ,Hollywood premieres and more! It was fun and exciting and I was living my dream of a bi-coastal life and loved every minute of it and yet, never stopped gifting in the Hamptons.

My "ah-ha" moment came in March 2017, after the death of one of my dearest friends (Noreen Fraser, the brilliant brain behind Stand Up to Cancer), This devastating loss forced me to re-evaluate what I was meant to do in my life. I believe Noreen's influence "from the other side" inspired my new "WHY"--it was to go back to my love of  books .  Bedside Reading was launched on August 15, 2017, with Salman Rushdie's ,"The Golden House "at the Mandarin Oriental New York. 
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Over the years, I never stopped gifting in the Hamptons. however, in 2017 the products went away and I stayed true to my authors. 
My journey became even more meaningful  when I started focusing on my team. I have been inspired to teach, advocate and champion them by lifting them up (hopefully) to look at their life and realize anything is possible.) The Bedside Reading team has become a growing family, diverse in so many ways. and every day I am loving them more and more!

While I was a mere 61 when I started this evolution of Bedside Reading this story started 20 years ago. And over the years I am proud to have partnered with all the major publishers, the ever-growing independent and hybrid publishers as well as the incredibly talented authors that have entered my sphere. And of course, our amazing hotel partners., Everyone has played a crucial  part in our success.

My goal has always been and still remains, "How can we help our authors become more visible and grow as a brand?"
Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful experiment, "Bedside Reading."

A special thanks to my wonderful team, Lisa Rosenstein, our publicist and "consiglieri" Elisa Fershtadt, our project manager, Erin Cox,
and our book hunters--Casey Skeen,  Kellie Aldrich,  Yolanda Machado.. And welcome Jorge Insua!
Of course, no one is more precious to me than my incredible husband, Rick Meyer, always right here by my side.

Happy Reading! Jane Ubell-Meyer, Founder