AUTHOR: Katie Mitchell
PUBLISHER: Clarkson Potter
PUBLISHED DATE: April 8, 2025
ISBN: 9780593581346
PAGES: 240
Katie Mitchell has crafted an extraordinary family reunion in book form, celebrating the Black booksellers and bibliophiles of both past and present with vibrant energy. I see my friends and lifelong inspirations receiving the love and care they truly deserve. This book is not just informative and reflective; it is a visual masterpiece, capturing moments, spaces, and places often overlooked in the media.
I was thrilled to dive into this book the moment I laid eyes on it, and from the contents page, I knew I was in for something truly special. Each chapter is outlined on various hued receipts, with many pages throughout the book creating a stunning scrapbook collage and photo album archive feel complete with poems and essays by the author, booksellers, librarians, and bibliophiles. Though the book is divided by regions in the US, it still feels intimate, weaving these iconic spaces into a vibrant community. It was beautiful to witness how many bookstores inspired one another and how they nurtured each other. The dedication of celebrities who have championed these spaces and pushed traditional publishers to include Black bookstores on publishing tours is heartwarming. Yet, it’s heartbreaking that many of these spaces no longer exist or are fighting to survive.
Contemporary spaces are embracing virtual components or carving out unique niches. I hope "Prose to the People" stands as a powerful rallying cry for all of us to support Black bookstores and publishers. It is pure joy to see spaces that celebrate books reflected in a book. This work has rightfully earned its place in the Black bibliophile canon—a treasure that must not be missed.
Recommendation: Required. This is a must read for all book lovers.
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