Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.
This week, we have founder and owner Abby Strite of Birdhouse Books and Gifts in Austin, Texas.
Birdhouse Books and Gifts is a colorful spot for books and community in Austin, Texas.
What’s your store’s story?
I founded Birdhouse Books and Gifts with a mission to celebrate all the parts of a person and to provide a sense of belonging to our wonderful neighborhood community. As a queer woman and veteran, I’m more than one thing and I think most people are too. This store celebrates the varied parts that make up who we are. We stock all genres but have a special focus on LGBTQ+ literature. We have a really excellent kids’ and middle grade section.
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
Customers love our bright, airy, colorful feel and the conversations and community that we foster. On any given day, you can find our customers and staff having deep conversations about how to come together and improve the world. I’m most proud of the work we’ve done to educate our community about book bans. We held an amazing event in January featuring three middle grade authors and a panel of kid interviewers to talk about how books get banned, how that impacts our communities and what we can do about it.
What’s your favorite section in your store?
My very favorite section is our kids’ and middle grade section! We have a gorgeous mural of birds reading books in book-themed birdhouses, surrounded by Texas wildflowers. I am also so proud of our focus on queer representation in kids’ literature.
Birdhouse Books and Gifts is a colorful spot for books and community in Austin, Texas.
What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?
“Manatee Summer” by Evan Griffith is a gorgeous story of a boy grappling with heading to middle school, his best friend moving away, and his grandfather’s aging with dementia, while also working to help an injured manatee. This story resonates with kids who love to read but need something less intense and scary than a lot of the popular books for this age group.
What book do you think deserves more attention and why?
I love to recommend this beautiful book of memoir in essays, “Abuelita, I Am Your Grandson” by Austin-based author Julio A Lucero.
This book is beautiful to hold and look at, and such fun to read. Lucero details his life growing up in Julio’s Cafe, a local Tex-Mex staple, through funny and poignant essays. It’s relatable, sweet and delightful all the way through.
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?Â
Local independent bookstores are not just retail stores. We support community initiatives, provide community events and opportunities for people to come together, give back to our local schools and uplift local artists and authors. We exist as part of an essential small business ecosystem. If we lose our bookstores, we lose our community’s heart.
What are some of your store’s events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share?
Our biggest event coming up is on Sept. 19, when we’ll host Don Martin for his Austin tour stop for “Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire.” This YA novel is about a witch in training who must release an Appalachian town from the control of an evil wizard.
On Sept. 30, we’re hosting a book launch event for Anna Reardon, author of “Wethersfield Road.” This is Reardon’s debut and explored themes of mental health and recovery.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why we love Birdhouse Books and Gifts in Austin, Texas