How Talking Animal Books is bringing a love of reading to Texas
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 book recommendations.
This week we have Katy Lemieux and Valerie Walizadeh, co-owners of Talking Animal Books in Grapevine, Texas!
What’s your store’s story?
We opened Talking Animals' doors in February 2023. Our store is the only bookstore in Grapevine, a massive tourism and travel hub housing DFW International Airport. Our mission is to be a place for connection, curiosity and creativity. We are 100% woman-owned and have become a space for conversation in a town where books have been banned and the topic is exceptionally touchy. Our store has only been a positive experience and we are educating the public about reading and books and their power to connect communities.
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
Our customers are eager for books and discussions about literature, art, and social issues. We are a historic town in a landmarked building, so we always try to incorporate the history of our town into our business. We have a children's reading nook with a bank teller window as an homage to its original iteration as a bank in 1900. The Bonnie and Clyde gang later robbed that bank, and we have happily adopted this trivia into our store in a small museum gallery alcove. In less than a year we have presented numerous events with authors and speakers that have been well-attended. We are known as champions for public education and reading, as well as a measured, welcome, and inclusive spot for everyone.
What's your favorite section in your store?
Our reading nook is the best spot! I never get tired of hearing, "Oh, wow!" when a child crawls inside and sees the twinkling lights above them. In addition to that, we love curating thoughtful theater and poetry sections.
What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?
Lately, "Demon Copperhead," as the epic nature of its scope struck me. Barbara Kingsolver has such a unique way of writing about America in a nuanced way that follows the characters and illuminates something almost unreachable.
"The Red Pony," by John Steinbeck, is one of my favorite short stories and was hugely important to me when I first read it as a teen. It was the first time I had considered the totality of grief and what it means to lose something that meant the world to you.
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?
We tell customers that when they shop local, their money actually impacts the community's economy. We pay a lot of money in taxes! And we remind people that those taxes make everything fun about our town possible. We are a city that thrives on small business success and it is gratifying to see a retail destination like ours work in tandem with local business owners.
What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share?
Events make our bookstore fun, and midnight release parties are our favorites! On Jan. 20, we collaborated with Always Booked for an Onyx Storm event. Always Booked is a super fun new podcast that also does events with small businesses around town. We love our midnight parties because some guests go home and read straight through the night – that is our kind of reader. The gals at Always Booked put together the most fantastic event down to the tiniest detail. We can't wait for the next one!
Every Saturday, we feature local author-led storytimes. In February, we are excited to welcome Cappy McGarr, an Emmy and NAACP Image Award-nominated producer, co-creator, and Executive Producer of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. He has served on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees under two presidents and as Executive Producer of White House musical performances honoring legends like Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. McGarr is also the Co-Founder of the Lincoln Awards for veterans and military families and the author of "The Man Who Made Mark Twain Famous." He’ll join us in the store to share his new children’s book, "Sis Boom Baa!: The Adventures of Princess Lil' Cap and Sir Hud the Brave."
Whether you’re a fan of gripping horror or spicy romance, we’ve got a book club for you:
Horror Book Club: "The Amityville Horror" by Jay Anson
Fiction Book Club: "Lion Women of Tehran" by Marjan Kamali
Romance Book Club: "Puck and Prejudice" by Lia Riley
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke
High School: "Once Upon a Broken Heart" Stephanie Garber
TAB Manager Emmalie’s Lit Lounge: "Your Driver is Waiting" by Priya Guns
North Texas Teen Book Festival (NTTBF)
Mark your calendars for one of the biggest literary events of the year!
Educator Day: Feb. 28
Festival Day: March 1
We’ll be there with thousands of booklovers and some of the most exciting authors in YA literature (like R.L. Stine!!). Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the joy of reading with North Texas teens and educators. Come read with us! February is going to be unforgettable!
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Talking Animal Books is bringing a love of reading to Texas
