There is a distinct kind of magic that lives inside the pages of a physical book. It’s in the texture of the paper, the scent of the ink, and the quiet comfort of getting utterly lost in another world. For a long time, I’ve dreamed of creating a space that captures that exact feeling—a sanctuary where stories aren’t just sold, but curated with a touch of whimsy and wonder.
Today, I am absolutely thrilled to finally share that dream with you. Welcome to The Paperback Pixie Bookery.
This has been a long time coming. I’ve held onto the dream of opening a bookshop for years, but after having my first child, reality set in. I quickly realized just how difficult it can be to re-enter the workforce. Juggling childcare, work, and homelife felt like a nearly impossible puzzle. When I crunched the numbers, the income I’d bring in wouldn’t even cover the skyrocketing cost of daycare. I kept thinking to myself, “If only there was a job where I could bring my child with me.”
God brought the bookstore back to the forefront of my mind after a difficult turning point. I had a terrible experience at a daycare job that forced me to quit after just one shift. If you know me, you know that quitting has never been an option for me—so it truly was that bad. But it pushed me toward a memory from back home in Texas. There was a cute little bookshop there where a mother brought her baby to work every day. She would simply close up the shop during nap time or have someone cover for her.
I mulled the idea over, mapped out a rough breakdown, and finally approached my husband one night. Could this really happen? I braced myself for him to shut it down, list everything that could go wrong, or tell me, “Maybe someday, but not right now.” Instead, he was fully on board. Before I knew it, he was right there beside me, researching ways to get the wheels in motion.
I’ve spent the last month doing deep, hardcore research. (Seriously, I have a 30+ page Google Doc covering everything from business setup and legality to tax breakdowns and inventory!) Throughout the process, the verses from Luke kept echoing in my heart. I didn’t want to start building something I couldn’t finish. As Luke 14:28-30 reminds us:
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
So, I researched. I asked for advice. I researched some more. And finally, I feel like I am in a place where this can truly work.
When it came to the name, my husband and I workshopped a few ideas, but the one we kept coming back to was The Paperback Pixie. “Pixie” has been my nickname for as long as I can remember—several of my college and work friends still call me that to this day. Incorporating it felt like a way to tie my own heart to the business, making it deeply personal rather than just whimsical.
To me, a “bookery” is so much more than just a bookstore. It is a place where literary magic is gathered, nurtured, and shared—the kind of ordinary, everyday magic that makes the world a little brighter. Think of it as a cozy corner of the world dedicated entirely to paperbacks, comfort reads, and the beautiful community that forms around them. My mission is to “rescue” gently used, well-loved books from local libraries, thrift stores, and rummage sales, giving them a second chance at life.
Our goal is to start small and manageable, launching primarily online. From there, we plan to work our way up to pop-up markets and a mobile book cart, with the ultimate dream of opening our very own brick-and-mortar storefront in the next 5 to 7 years.
We are still putting the final pieces together, but the official legal paperwork is signed, sealed, and running. I can officially say that The Paperback Pixie Bookery is coming soon to a screen near you!
Please pray with us as we wait for the final paperwork to clear and as we begin building our inventory. We hope to be in full swing no later than the New Year!
