Why did you start The Lavender Library?
We met through LGBTQ+ BookTok and bonded over our love for queer stories. We had a lot of conversations about the difficulty of finding LGBTQ+ books in stores that widely represented the entire community, as most of the ones we did see were white, cis and feminine (not that these stories don't deserve love and attention too!). But we wanted to create a store that uplifted each and every member of the community in a way that was accessible and queer focused.
Who are your items for? Who's your ideal customer?
Everyone who reads! Of course, the store is focused on supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, so they're always at the forefront of our decisions, but we want these stories to become widely loved by everyone. If you're a reader who reads 100 books a year or 12 - we want you to find a place on our store.
What's a standout moment from your journey so far?
Our first delivery of books. We'd spent months planning, saving, promoting and designing, but opening that first box of books made it all feel so real. It was beautiful, but also a little terrifying, and we'll always hold our first books close to our hearts.
What's next for you?
We would love to start going to more physical markets and events. As a new store, it isn't financially feasible right now, but we hope to take The Lavender Library on the road for everyone to find!
What 3 books would you take to a desert island?
Nellie: Six Times We Almost Kissed (a favourite I re-read every year), Gideon The Ninth (there's so much here, I'm looking forward to re-reading) and Mrs S (one of the first times I felt connected to a charachter and their butchness).
Ashli: A Sharp Endless Need (a new favourite that I constantly want to re-read), Vicious (all-time favourite, read it four times and will never get bored) and These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever (such a beautiful, thought-provoking book).
What's your favourite item in your store right now?
Nellie: I really like our badges. I've wanted a badge maker for so long and it's really exciting for me to have a craft tool I love.
Ashli: I love our blind dates with a book. It's so fun to choose the books and each bookmark that matches it - it's also such a fun way to get people reading more LGBTQ+ stories.
What's an underappreciated item in your store right now?
Nellie: The art prints. I think they deserve so much love, they're beautifully drawn and painted.
Ashli: Our non-fiction books. It's a small selection right now, but I think it's a great way to learn and support the community.
What's your favourite queer book?
Nellie: Obviously Six Times, but for a different answer I'd go for A Long Way To A Small Angry Planet. It has all of my favourite tropes: found family, a diverse queer cast, a little cheesy but so comforting.
Ashli: Aside from the three book earlier, probably Compound Facture by AJW. It was the first time my autism felt seen and respected in such a raw way.
Is there a queer business or indie store you'd recommend?
The Bookish Type in Leeds. It's England's only bookstore owned and run by a trans women. You can tell how much they care about the community as a whole - they're constantly fundraising, supporting GoFundMe's and hosting events to uplift the community. Every time you walk in, it's like returning to an old friend.
What do you hope someone feels when they come across The Lavender Library?
A sense of comfort and home, to be seen and accepted. It can be a dark and scary time in the world right now, scrolling social media feels like bad news after bad news - especially for trans people and queer people of colour. We want people to visit our store and know they have a place where they belong, where they are safe and loved in their entirety.
If you could tell your younger self one thing about queer community, books or belonging, what would it be?
Ashli: There's nothing wrong with you and you don't need to be fixed. You can try to pray it away or squash yourself, but all that will do is make people feel as though they've succeeded in 'cleansing' you. As cliche as it sounds, be proud of your identity - it is beautiful and warm, you will find your community because you are proof that queerness can be joyful. You just need to show yourself that first.
Nellie: You will find a way out and you will find joy. It'll take a minute and it'll be scary, but you'll end up exactly where you're meant to be. Keep reading and learning random facts, it'll impress a very pretty girl one day.
Show Ashli and Nellie some love by ordering a book or two from their incredible store (they are the most lovingly packed orders I've seen!) - and if you can't support by buying a book, give them a follow on Instagram and TikTok instead.
