Nomadic Books
326 23rd St. Unit C, Oakland, CA
I stumbled into a surprise around the corner from my house in Uptown recently: Nomadic Bookshop. The was space a Chinese restaurant when I moved to Oakland almost a decade ago and turned into a few things before J.K. Fowler and his life partner Uriel opened Nomadic Books earlier this year. A bookshop is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, especially one as special as this one.
If you know J.K. Fowler, you know he is a Renaissance man of sorts; a musician, an organizer, a poet, a publisher, a leader, and a bookstore owner, again. I first met him when he ran the now-defunct publishing house Nomadic Press in the Fruitvale district. Nomadic Books possesses a similar vibe in its décor, and is comfy, much like the press was. When you enter the cozy space, you feel like you just stepped into someone’s living room or den.
The inviting space oozes quaint cuteness. A kitcheney table sits by the door as you walk in. The bright orange back wall brings in a splash of color, and anchors two teal tufted chairs you can sink into and read. Cranberry-colored carpets grace the floor, and soft lighting from old candlestick table lamps next to the chairs add to the homey vibe.
And then there is the bold portraiture and art by Ron Veasey, an artist at the Creative Growth studio around the corner. Several pieces hang above the bookshelves that line the walls on either side of the pop of color wall.
Fowler is a community builder. He did it with the Nomadic Press and when he stepped into the leadership role at the Bay Area Book Festival a few years ago, and is now a core theme for the bookstore. He and Uriel want neighbors and other Oakland community members to come into the space and use it for more than just book buying. Nomadic Books is a place where you can hold or take a workshop, hear a local musician, or listen to a local author read.
The selection of books reflects Uriel and Fowler’s commitment to amplifying the voices of writers of color, offering works from around the world, well-known favorites, and contemporary ones you’ll want to get to know. Much like at Fowler’s San Francisco shop Medicine for Nightmares, the titles range from mystical to historical, speculative to memoir. I went in to grab a copy of Devi S. Laskar’s latest, "Midnight At The War," which was not in stock but happily ordered for me by Uriel.
When I went to pick the book up the following week I ran into Marcia Falk, a local poet, who raved about the bookstore, J.K. and Uriel. She told me that her next book will be published by Fowler under Nomadic Press, which he is also bringing back.
If you are a lover of literature, a person in search of community, or want a space to share your genius with Oakland, check out Nomadic Books. It is a wonderful new third space for readers, artists, and anyone interested.
