Happy Meet a Bookseller Monday! We’re proud to introduce Valerie Nyamori, owner of the online bookstore, Tusome Books.
How did you get into bookselling?
In November 2019, I started an online bookstore to create a platform for books by authors of African, Asian and Middle-Eastern descent. This was sparked by my love for books and my struggle to find certain titles in libraries and mainstream bookstores. Despite my growing up in Kenya, most of the books I read as a child and as a teenager were either American or British. It was not until my early twenties when I started to make a conscious effort to read more books by non-western authors.
While I thoroughly enjoy the works of authors such as Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, and Stephanie Meyer, I find that many other authors are also deserving of more exposure. Bookstores and libraries are now doing a much better job of incorporating books by people of color, but there is room for more to be done.
What do you love most about being a bookseller?
The opportunity to talk books with other booklovers and researching new titles and authors.
What do you love most about your bookstore?
It gives me an opportunity to explore very unique authors while also being exposed to different cultures, traditions, and worldviews.
What are you listening to right now?
The Golden Thread by Ravi Somaiya.
What audiobooks would you recommend or are among your favorites?
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn and When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed & Victoria Jamieson
Where / when do you listen to audiobooks?
I listen to audiobooks while I shower, when I take walks, and while in transit.
What is your favorite thing about audiobooks through Libro.fm?
The variety of audiobooks just blows my mind. I also love that Libro.fm works in partnership with indie bookstores.
What do you do when you’re not selling books?
I mostly read in my quiet time. It’s my way of re-energizing. I like to try out new recipes too and when I’m not doing either of these two, then I’m with family and friends.
So proud of Valerie Nyamori. I identify with the fact that books found in North America will mostly be those written by British or American writers. I would especially like to see more ethnically written books referenced for use in our Undergraduate and Graduate studies.
Impressive!
That’s touching. It’s impressive. I would like to read more books and I think this is the best place to begin. Audiobook can help.