A book seen from the reader's perspective

OCTAVIA’S BOOKSHELF

Welcome to Octavia's Bookshelf. We are an independent bookstore in Pasadena. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will have a wonderful time exploring our store of books written by BIPOC writers.

THE STORE

01
Location
Nikki High standing and smiling in her store
Books on shelves

1353 North Hill Ave,
Pasadena, CA 91104

Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm

02
Shop

Give the Gift of Reading

Octavia's Bookshelf E-Gift Card

Give the gift of reading! Our gift cards never expire and are perfect for any occasion.

Value:
Add To Cart

Note: Our online gift cards can be redeemed in-store ONLY!

Back Story

03
About
Octavia's Bookshelf owner Nikki High
First person view of a person reading a book

Hi, my name is Nikki, and I am the founder of Octavia’s Bookshelf. If you know me in real life, chances are I have gifted, loaned or recommended a book to you. As an early reader, books not only provided me with new worlds to discover but also allowed me to escape to places unknown. In these spaces, I was allowed to cheer for my favorite characters and mourn them, but more importantly, I could see myself and what my life could become. Once I discovered books written by people who looked like me, I was opened to a new world of history, fiction, sci-fi, and more. I became a walking advertisement for these works and words written by BIPOC writers. The stories were familiar and unfamiliar; the words were as smooth as butter. Octavia’s Bookshelf is a space where readers of all walks of life can enjoy these books, a space to find your new BFF inside a book, a space to find community, enjoy a cup of coffee, read, relax, find unique and specially curated products from artisans from around the world and in our neighborhood. I am looking forward to seeing you at Octavia’s Bookshelf.

04
Press

In the News

  • Nikki High is taking a big leap with Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena. She’s had her moments of doubt, but concluded, “We have to bet on our community of readers and people with curious minds.”

  • Octavia's Bookshelf is intended to inspire readers of all ages, just as the store's namesake, Octavia, was an inspiration to owner Nikki High.

  • Step into Octavia's bookshelf and you'll find fiction-themed merchandise and stacks of novels celebrating authors who are Black, indigenous or people of color.

  • Nikki High’s announcement of her dream to open the location via twitter was met with praise and fanfare on social media.

COMMUNITY
EVENTS

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Events

Let’s Get In Touch

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Contact

1353 North Hill Ave,
Pasadena, CA 91104