Young adult section debuts in Karlsruher Stephanus bookstore, showcasing Queer literature and fantasy genres for youth.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Stephanus Bookstore Evolves with a Queer Literature Revamp
The timing couldn't be more on point. This year's Christopher Street Day saw turmoil for queer rights, and yet, amid the chaos, Stephanus bookstore stepped up to the plate. Now, it flaunts a swanky new section: since last Saturday, the store boasts an entirely overhauled zone dedicated to New Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, and Manga, with a special focus on books with queer themes.
Take a stroll down the aisles, and you'll find an entire shelf dedicated to queer fiction: "We're all about making a safe space for the young folks," Silvia Stahl, one of the booksellers, informs us, "so they feel they belong here."
Rearranged Ground Floor: A Snug Reading Lair
You guessed it! The ground floor has undergone a massive makeover. The work area and shrinking philosophy/theology section have been swapped for plush, dark blue armchairs and a table, draped in verdant curtains that give the place a warm, inviting living room vibe. Potted plants are stationed neatly in the shelves, and the windows look out onto the bustling street and Stephanskirche.
The dedicated booksellers who've manned the store since January 2023 have immediately recognized the space's potential, even with its slightly tricky access via a snug elevator. But upon the store's reopening, it seemed to have attracted no shortage of curious, book-loving young'uns.
One reason might be that Stephanus lacked a substantial selection of young adult literature before: "We had kid's books but none for the older teens," reveals Stahl.
One noteworthy exception, these bookshelves are curated: "And we've got a heap of genres, but we've shied away from the murky waters of toxic romance," she adds, "we didn't want our younger patrons, just diving into these books, to think that hurting each other or engaging in illegal activities are typical of relationships."
Crafting Bookmark Workshop on the Horizon
In addition to offering a plethora of must-read literary treasures, like the anniversary edition of "Rubinrot" by teen sensation Kerstin Gier, the fantasy section is brimming with goodness. There are also sticker books, popular book journals, and craft books to jot down your reading experiences and create DIY bookmarks from old books, paper, and wallpaper scraps.
On Saturday, flex those creative muscles by crafting your very own bookmarks! A series of smaller readings is also in the works to light up the upper floor, with queer author Lea Kaib leading the charge on Saturday evening.
Here's to the power of a good bookstore in cultivating community, fostering creativity, and promoting cultural understanding. Stay tuned for more exciting developments at Stephanus!
In the renewed Stephanus Bookstore, visitors will find a cozy reading corner on the ground floor, which has transformed into a warm, welcoming living room-like space. Alongside the vast collection of new and diverse genres, such as New Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, and Manga, the store has dedicated an entire shelf to queer literature. To further engage its young patrons, Stephanus is hosting a Crafting Bookmark Workshop on a upcoming Saturday, inviting them to construct personalized bookmarks from various materials.
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