Novelette Booksellers is a vibrant, queer-owned independent bookstore located in East Nashville. They recently celebrated their second birthday, so I thought I’d chat with co-owner Deezy Youngdahl about the Nashville book scene. He and Jordan Tromblee opened the bookstore in 2022 with the goal of selling diverse books so everyone can find themselves in the books they read. If you haven’t yet, definitely plan a visit to the bookstore to stock up on some books (Deezy has some recommendations below), or attend one of their many events!
Why did you and Jordan decide to open Novelette Booksellers here in Nashville?
“Jordan and I have always had a shared love for books at the center of our friendship. We both wanted to do something that would feel more rewarding in our lives, and then Jordan had the idea of us opening a bookstore together. We've been reading and making jokes and having a lot of fun ever since!”
How has the Nashville book scene changed over the last decade?
“I think reading is having a bit of a ‘moment’ again these past few years, probably due in part to TikTok and Instagram cultivating such avid reader communities. Many people are really into shopping small and local again, too — so it feels like there's more of a celebration of indie bookstores in town. It's great! We love how excited to read everyone seems in Nashville these days.”
Some new books to add to your night stand.
Can you recommend some awesome new queer books?
“Absofruitly I can! For contemporary fiction, “We Were the Universe” by Kimberly King Parsons is both hilarious and heart-wrenching, great for readers who love a less than perfect protagonist. For memoir lovers, “Another Word for Love” by Carvell Wallace is a beautiful, vulnerable look at the author's experiences growing up black and queer in America. For romance, “The Prospects” by KT Hoffman features a transmasc main character and lots of baseball and steamy rivals to lovers tension.”
