This is a great independent bookstore with a focused collection of books. They didn't have what I was looking for in stock because the book was selling out as soon as they got any in stock. They ordered the books for me and called me when they were in. I was glad to get books I wanted to share, to support a specific author and a local woman owned business, and to avoid giving business to a large online retailer.

My daughter and I were very excited to visit this bookstore, as we are always looking for authentic local bookstores everywhere we visit. As we entered the store, instead of being greeted we were asked if we have masks because we need a mask to enter the store. Mind you, this is 2 years and 3 months after the pandemic. I have travelled all around and NOWHERE other than my doctors office has asked me to wear a mask and they provide the masks for their clients. When we both paused, she further stated, “ if you don’t have one, you need to get one because we don’t provide them here.“ I felt very unwelcome. I am not even “anti-mask,” I was just in disbelief that we were made to feel so unwelcome. The store layout is nice and had I been made to few more welcome, we may have bought masks and went back to her store, but we just disappointingly left. We were happy to see a 50% discount bookstore in the same parking lot and decided to take our business there. Just a suggestion to her, “be kind, and place a cheep box of masks by the door if you are so fearful of COVID.”

We visit Austin from the Washington DC area 2-3 times a year to see our grandkids. Each time I make it a point to visit this bookstore. It is a small, independent bookstore that seems to specialize in books written by, about, and for women and those on the feminine spectrum. Yet, this place is so much more. Book Woman offers books, gifts and special events of community interest. During this most recent visit, I had a chance to hear author Marion Winik read from ‘The Big Book of the Dead.’ This unexpected drop in had me in the midst of a reading. My very first visit had me checking out their extensive area of books on trans* health. At the time I was in the midst of research for a simulation on trans* healthcare for nursing students at the community college where I taught. Another time I visited and spent a couple of hours marveling at the unique collection of children’s books from which I snagged a few for the grands. Books about black feminist thought, adoption, surviving trauma, LGBTQQIA politics, sensuality, sexuality and many more topics line the walls of Book Woman.If you are interested in reading and still enjoy the tactile experience of a book (no shade to the Kindle readers), fancy unusual gifts and those with even social justice messages, this is the place for you. Check it out. Surprises everywhere.

Curated bookshop and curated by someone very well read and wise. There is just one copy displayed of every worthy book on ubiquitous as well as difficult subjects. Aging. Fat. Domestic violence. Sex. Political theory. Comics. Lgbtq. First rate poetry collection. Male authors too which shows owner's fairness and inclusivity. This bookshop alone has sold me on Austin and all of Texas.