Warm Your Soul at The Roasted Bookery

By Erin and Jerry Jones

The Roasted Bookery is excited to announce their new location 1102 Castle Street, at the base of The Royal at Midcastle Apartments as of November. (Check the website and social media handles for updates). The new space provides book clubs, game nights, and more to come. 

Both former educators, owners Erin and Jerry Jones love to read and talk about reading. “We believe representation matters and stand by this motto with our carefully curated collection of books and goods,” says Erin. “Our books are written by BIPOC, API, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, and authors with disabilities. We’ll continue to offer treasured picks at an accessible price range as well as add in new releases.” Check out a few of our favorites this season:

PET by Akwaeke Ezemi
This tween book explores the question: Do monsters live among us? Through the eyes of a young child wanting to help a friend, we follow the story of how youth can be the change makers and stand up to the monsters that appear in our everyday lives. The youth in this book are helped along the way by a painting that comes alive. (This is one of Erin’s top 5 favorite books of all time!)

Bitter by Akwaeke Ezemi
This is the prequel to PET (though it does not need to be read in order) and tells the story of Bitter and her fight with her friends to help a suffering city. This is a YA book that stands alone in its allegory showing how to find the strength to fight when the fight is deadly and, frankly, terrifying. Ezemi has a way with words that pull a reader into the world created and does not let you leave easily.

Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown
This is a semi-autobiographical story of the author Echo Brown’s life told through the lens of magical realism. This YA book explores the varied meaning of the phrase “Black girl magic” and what that can mean for young women in different socioeconomic circumstances.

Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins
This is an adult magical realism novel that explores the themes of womanhood, generational obligation and inherited trauma. If you can survive the first chapter (please read cautiously), this story is about reinventing yourself for the modern era while still honoring those that came before you. Morgan Jerkins does a remarkable job providing us with characters that cover generations of womanhood, all of whom are complicated, flawed, and all deserving love and respect. It’s an amazing book.