Taevia Norris’ love for reading began at an early age, deeply influenced by her father, who nurtured her passion through “book dates” that spanned from childhood to high school. Their trips to bookstores, where they would select books and read aloud, helped them develop a lifelong love of reading. Taevia, an introvert, found comfort in the fictional worlds her novels’ protagonists constructed, which let her see the world through their eyes.
Motherhood, however, brought significant changes to her reading habits. She read three or four books a month before she became a mother. But after her child was born, she struggled to find time for herself due to the responsibilities of parenthood, and it took her a full year to finish one novel—the last volume in the Hunger Games series. She created a Bookstagram page where she shared her reading journey with an encouraging online community in an attempt to rediscover her passion of reading. She finally became encouraged to launch her own business by her involvement in the community.
The turning point for Taevia came when she realized there was a lack of apparel that reflected her love for reading, her culture, and the books she was passionate about. She began creating her own designs, which quickly gained attention and support. Her business took off after a successful pre-launch that sold out all her products, signaling a genuine need for the literary-inspired merchandise she was creating. Over time, her business expanded to include books and literary events, further connecting her with the book-loving community.
One of her most successful products is a James Baldwin shirt, part of a collection called “special tees,” which honors Black literary giants. The design, which features Baldwin’s books listed on the back, is not only popular for its retro aesthetic but also serves as a conversation starter about Baldwin’s impact on literature. For Taevia, Baldwin holds a special place in her heart, with his book If Beale Street Could Talk being one of her favorites. She admires how Baldwin’s writing remains timeless and relevant, making him a significant figure in both her personal and professional life.
Taevia Norris not only sells literary-inspired apparel but also hosts a variety of community-driven events. These events, which started in 2024, are primarily held in the Dallas area, particularly in the Oak Cliff neighborhood, though Taevia is open to exploring different parts of the city. One of her first events was a book swap, and since then, she has organized her own events and participated in others, steadily expanding her reach.
Among the events she offers is “Reading with the Homies,” a unique gathering where participants read silently together in a relaxed setting with lo-fi music playing in the background. Hosted at Black-owned coffee shops, this event is perfect for those with introverted tendencies who still crave community and motivation to read. Taevia describes it as an experience that makes people feel at home, even in silence, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among readers.
When it comes to selecting books for her website, Taevia focuses on literary classics, particularly those that she believes should be part of high school reading lists but often aren’t. Influenced by her own experiences of discovering authors like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison later in life, she curates a collection that includes both traditional and modern classics. Additionally, she features a special bookshelf called “Your Mom’s Favorites,” inspired by her mother’s top 10 classic books, which shaped Taevia’s perspective as a young reader.
In the future, Taevia hopes to continue her community involvement and online presence in addition to opening a physical bookstore. Along with continuing to take part in pop-up events and partnerships, she sees the brick-and-mortar site as a venue for hosting events and deeper community engagement. Taevia is particularly excited about expanding the community aspect of her business and moving into the nonprofit space. She looks forward to launching initiatives that will continue to build the community she has already fostered through book clubs, swaps, and events like “Reading with the Homies.”
Taevia is upbeat when questioned about the book industry’s future. Despite the popularity of e-readers and audiobooks, she thinks that physical books will endure because of their enduring appeal. The renewed interest in independent bookshops and the increasing recognition of the distinctive experience they provide gives her hope. Taevia believes that the book industry has a bright future ahead of it in addition to being here to stay.
