Independent bookstores are the heartbeat of the community. They provide culture and community, generate local employment and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, promote diverse and new writers of champions and centers, and connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way. We actively support the right to read and access their community.
Each week we profile independent bookstores, share what makes each one special, and get expert book recommendations.
This week we have Katyle Mew and Valerie Walizadeh, co-owners of Animal Books in Grapevine, Texas!
What’s your story about?
We opened the door to Talking Animals in February 2023. Our store is the only bookstore in Grapevine, a large tourism and travel hub residential DFW International Airport. Our mission is to become a place of connection, curiosity and creativity. We are 100% of women owned, books are prohibited, and this topic has become a space for conversation in a very troublesome town. Our store is a positive experience and educates the public about reading, books and the power to connect the community.
Check out: USA Today’s independent bookstore map
Why is independent bookstores unique?
Our clients are passionate about books and discussions on literature, arts and social issues. We are a historic town with groundbreaking buildings, so we are always trying to incorporate the history of our town into our business. A tribute to the original iteration as a bank in 1900 is a child’s reading corner with the bank’s teller window. Bonnie and Clyde’s gang later robbed the bank. . Less than a year later, I published many events with the authors and speakers. We are known as the champions of public education and reading, and are known as a measured, welcome and inclusive spot for all.
What is your favorite section in your store?
Our reading corner is the perfect place! You never get bored of hearing “Ah, amazing!” When the child is craving inside and sees a glittering light on it. On top of that, we love curating thoughtful theatre and poetry sections.
What books do you like to recommend to your customers? What is the reason?
Recently, “Devil’s Copperhead,” because the grand nature of its range has hit me. Barbara Kingsolver has a unique way of writing about America in subtle ways that chase the characters and illuminate the almost unreachable.
John Steinbeck’s “The Red Pony” was one of my favorite short stories and was extremely important to me when I first read it as a teenager. It was the first time I’ve considered the whole of sadness and the meaning of losing something that means the world to you.
Why is shopping at a local independent bookstore important?
Customers tell them when they are shopping locally that their money actually affects the economy of their communities. We pay a lot in taxes! And we remind people that those taxes allow us to make everything possible about our town. We are a city that thrives with the success of small business businesses, and it’s a pleasure to work with local business owners to see retail destinations like ours.
What are some of your store’s events, programs, or partnerships you’d like to share?
The event makes our bookstore fun and the midnight release party is our favorite! On January 20th, we cooperated with Alwaysed booking for the Onyx Storm event. Always Booked is a very fun new podcast that also hosts events with small businesses around town. We love midnight parties as some guests go home and read the night straight. That’s our kind of reader. The constantly booked gal has put together the most amazing events in just a few details. I can’t wait for the next one!
Every Saturday, we feature local author-led storytimes. In February, we welcomed Cappy McGar, a producer, co-creator and executive producer who was nominated for the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Awards, and welcomed the popular song Gershwin Award. He served on the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees under two presidents and as executive producer of White House music performances celebrating legends such as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. McGarr is the co-founder of the Lincoln Awards for Veterans and Military Families and the author of “The Man Who Makes Mark Twain Famous.” He will be joining 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 grab a horror or be a fan of spicy romance, we have a book club for you:
Horror Book Club: “Amityville Horror” from Jay Anson Fiction Book Club: “Lion Woman in Tehran” Mahjong Kamari Romance Book Club: “Packs and Prejudices” from Real Lily Sheefi/Fantasy Book Club: “Packs and Prejudices” from Susanna Clark High School Pilanesi: Emmalie’s lounge, Manager Stephanie Gerbertalk of “A Time Broken Heart”: “Your Driver is Waiting” and Priya Guns
North Texas Teen Book Festival (NTTBF)
Mark your calendar for one of the biggest literary events of the year!
Educator’s Day: February 28th Festival Day: March 1st
We are with thousands of book lovers and the most exciting writers of YA literature (such as RL Stine!!). Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the joys of reading with teens and educators in North Texas. Read with us! February will be an unforgettable one!