There were, like, 65,000 likes at one point,” says Nikki High about her tweet announcing her latest venture—the newest addition to Pasadena’s local bookstore community—Octavia’s Bookshelf. It was October 2022 when High quit her job, and about a month later, she signed the lease for her bookstore, despite having no prior experience in bookstore management. Little did she know that she would soon receive a tremendous outpouring of support from strangers, proving that her passion for BIPOC books and authors had struck a chord with the community.
This essay was adapted from the Alta newsletter, delivered every Thursday.
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Nestled in north Pasadena, Octavia’s Bookshelf stands as the city’s sole Black-owned bookstore. This charming and intimate shop provides Pasadena, and the areas around it, a much-needed spot to find literature by BIPOC authors.
James Baldwin, bell hooks, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and, of course, Octavia E. Butler line the shelves of this bookstore, with witty descriptors guiding you through what each bookshelf holds. Just above the counter, positioned with care, you’ll find Lucille Clifton’s profound poem “why some people be mad at me sometimes.”
Stepping into the bookstore, it becomes apparent why this establishment has touched the hearts of authors, writers, and readers alike. This bookstore embodies the essence of home, particularly for those who have struggled with the lack of BIPOC representation in literature. Its books stand as a testament to the power of often-overlooked voices and narratives, offering comfort and inspiration to all who seek the feeling of being seen through the written word.
There’s a method to these choices: “I don’t carry Black authors just because they’re Black,” says High on her curated picks. “I am building my own canon of authors who mean a lot to me.” And these writers hold immense significance for the daily visitors to the bookstore as well. High describes the children who come into the store, their eyes lighting up as they point to children’s books featuring Black and brown characters. As she tells it, their exclamations of recognition echo through the store as they excitedly connect with characters who mirror their own identities.
High wanted to make a space that she never had growing up in Pasadena. Her love for books had been ingrained in her since childhood, and as a teenager, she found solace in Eso Won Books. Making regular trips to Leimert Park, she eagerly absorbed knowledge from the staff and fellow customers. In that haven, a whole new world of literature written by BIPOC authors unfolded before her, and she wanted that for Pasadena.
During the pandemic, this feeling turned concrete, and High embarked on this unconventional, “learn as you go” project. She played around with financial models, extensively researched what it takes to open a bookstore, and reached out to publishers to get a better handle on what it was she was trying to do. A dramatic shift occurred when High’s story went viral on Twitter. In the span of just one week, she raised $20,000 on GoFundMe, and on opening day, her projected attendance of 30 to 50 family and friends turned out to be hundreds of readers, writers, and authors lining up around the block to explore her newly established bookstore.
Since the shop opened, the outpouring of support has not slowed. In early June, there was a break-in at Octavia’s Bookshelf; High closed for the day to get her bearings, but her community still showed up. They came with flowers, soup, plants, and kind words. All Saints Church in Pasadena stopped by to help make repairs and set High up with an updated security system as well.
For High, closing up shop is not an option. “There is something about walking into a store, where you can smell the books, you can flip through them, you can be in conversation with the person standing next to you about their favorite book, get recommendations about what you should read next,” says High. “Independent bookstores really are just sort of a repository of community.”
Currently, High is in contact with Octavia E. Butler Magnet school in Pasadena. Octavia’s Bookshelf hosts a weekly get-together for knitting enthusiasts, organizes author events, and arranges comedy nights. Moreover, the store remains dedicated to promoting Octavia E. Butler’s literary legacy.
“I am still blown away that, like, this little dream of mine has connected with so many people,” says High.•
Elizabeth Casillas is an assistant editor at Alta Journal. A graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, she has previously written for the Poly Post and Enspire Magazine.
