A new queer and intersectional feminist bookshop that focuses on books written by women and people of colour, as well and other marginalised groups such as disabled and queer authors has opened on Chapel Walk, in Sheffield city-centre.
The wonderfully inclusive bookshop, called Juno Books, was launched by Sheffield residents Sarah Scales and Rosie May, who met five years ago at a sling (baby carrier) meet up group held at Ponds Forge, and became fast friends.
Both Sarah and Rosie have a passion for reading, as well as a strongly held belief in the importance of intersectional feminism and inclusion. Finding themselves frustrated by the lack of representation in the mainstream publishing industry, they decided to create their own independent space to help raise up marginalised voices, while, of course, helping you find your new favourite book.
Sarah explained how the idea for Juno was born: “It was at a lockdown garden drinks meet-up when we decided that it would be fun to try and open a bookshop, whenever we were finally allowed to go places! It’s been two years in the making, but actually since we started online, it has been quite quick.
“We started with our book groups and trading online in May, then we got the lease for this place in August and opened at the beginning of October. Basically, two years of thinking and then rapid action.”
Rosie added: “Neither of us are from a publishing background, we just really love books. Sarah’s background is primarily in education and I worked in equality and diversity, so this is sort of equality and diversity in practice.
“We try to have as inclusive a range of books as possible, because we realise the power of having a space like this. Particularly for people who don’t find themselves represented in mainstream bookshops. It’s been very popular with the queer community and a lot of neurodiverse people have been really enjoying coming in here as well.
“There’s so much great writing, particularly by women, people of colour and queer people, at the moment. There’s been a huge change in the publishing industry. Maybe not enough still, but there’s just some brilliant stuff coming out.”
Much of that brilliant stuff you’ll find in inside the beautifully orchestrated shop, where you’re welcomed by a wall of fiction, both contemporary and classic and from diverse range of authors, as well as collections of short stories, a wonderful graphic novel collection curated by Gabi Putnoki from the Graphic Novel Reading Room, a great poetry section, non-fiction arranged by themes like feminism, gender, race, class and politics, and a superbly inclusive children and young adults section.
“We really want kids to feel like they’re being reflected back by the stuff that they read.” says Rosie, “It’s really important. It wasn’t really available for us when we were growing up. We actually had someone come in and nearly burst into tears because, as a fairly young gay man, he was really amazed to think what it would have been like for him, if this sort of stuff had been available when he was growing up. It’s nice to be able to provide that for kids now.”
Juno’s not just about the bookshop, either. They already have two book clubs up and running; an online session, which they started in lockdown and have decided to continue for people who aren’t from Sheffield and those who might still be shielding, as they found other online spaces fell away as the world opened back up, and a regular monthly event, which they hold at Hagglers Corner.
Sarah told Exposed: “The book clubs have been super popular and since we’ve opened up the bookshop, we’ve had even more interest. We’ve had some really weird ones so far, because also what we’ve tried to do is to choose books that we haven’t read either, so we are reading along with the groups at the same time. It’s a nice kind of experience for everybody, when we’re both sitting there going, oh my god, did you read that bit? Or, oh my god, I can’t believe we made people read this?!
Rosie added: “It’s a really great way to meet people without necessarily being in a pub, and you’ve got something to talk about, so it’s not awkward. People have been amazing and we’ve had lots of different, really interesting discussions. We enjoy it when people hate the book as well. It always makes for the most interesting conversations when somebody really adores it and somebody else is like, ‘it’s the worst thing I’ve ever read!’ It’s been really fun.”
The book clubs are open to anyone and all you have to do is buy the book to get involved is buy a book either online or instore and that gives you a ticket to the event. In the new year, they also plan to host poetry readings, author talks, lunchtime short story readings and on 3 December they will host their first evening social, where people can hang out in the store with a glass of wine, or a drink and chat books!
Juno Books has been open for just four weeks now, and Sarah told us how much she’s enjoyed the experience so far: “It’s been really fun. I’m really enjoying having conversations every day about books with the best people. We’ve had really fabulous people coming in and telling us really interesting things and everybody’s been so lovely. It’s also just a great place to work. It’s just so much fun and it doesn’t really feel like work.”
Rosie added: “There’s quite a nice little sense of community down here on Chapel Walk, which is fun. I can’t really believe it’s my job, to be honest!”
You can find Juno on Insta here and their website, where you can also browse their collection online, can be found here. They have also been running a Crowdfunder to create a funding pot to allow them to run reading groups and other events for groups including parents of young children, refugees and asylum seekers, disabled and neurodiverse people, LGBTQ people, and young adults. Their aim is to be able to provide books at no or low cost to these groups as well as cover the costs of any support workers and refreshments needed. They also plan to have a ‘pay it forward scheme’ operating in the bookshop.
