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 Caspian Books in Tracy, California!
What’s your store’s story?
We are a small downtown bookstore in Northern California. We are woman-owned, indigenous-owned, and LGBTQIA+-owned.
This location has been here for 10+ years, but when we bought it in 2023 we rebranded with a huge emphasis on creating a community space and offering unique experiences.
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
We are the only bookstore in town and we have worked very hard to create a community space through silent book clubs, hosting local authors, and hosting events with local non-profits. We’ve been extremely honest with our community about our successes and our struggles, which has created an overwhelming feeling of “we’re all in this together.”