From the Margins to the Front Shelf
About Us
Welcome to Found Family Books — a place where every story, and every reader, belongs.
Found Family Books is an independent LGBTQ+ bookstore dedicated to uplifting queer voices, stories, and histories. We believe books have the power to heal, affirm, connect, and transform — especially when they reflect who we are and the communities we hold close.
Our name comes from the idea of found family — the people we choose, the safe spaces we build, and the stories that remind us we’re not alone. Whether you're looking for a book that reflects your journey, introduces you to new perspectives, or simply makes you feel seen, we’re here to help you find it.
We carefully curate every title in our collection, prioritizing works by LGBTQ+ authors and stories that center queer joy, struggle, love, resistance, and belonging. From fiction and memoir to poetry and history, our shelves are full of stories that matter — because you matter.
Why Found Family Books Exists
Too many people grow up never seeing themselves in the pages of a book. And when queer stories are available, they’re often tucked away — quiet, hard to find, treated like something separate.
When I was younger, LGBTQ+ books were rarely displayed out in the open. The Borders Books I visited had a single shelf labeled “LGBT,” wedged between romance and erotica, almost hidden. The Barnes & Noble near my high school had a similar setup — a lone shelf near the bottom of a stand, easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it.
It felt like a quiet message:
That our stories were inappropriate.
That being queer was inherently adult.
That we didn’t belong on the main shelves — and maybe not in the store at all.
That kind of placement does more than limit visibility — it sends a signal that LGBTQ+ identities are not for general audiences. That they’re not for joy, or healing, or everyday love — but for adult-only sections and whispered browsing.
Found Family Books was created to change that.
Queer stories deserve more than a shelf in the back of the store. They deserve to be seen, celebrated, and accessible — not hidden or minimized. We believe every reader should have a place where their story lives on the front shelf, proudly and unapologetically.
Found Family Books exists to make space for those stories.
To bring queer stories out of the margins and into the spotlight.
To give readers a space where they don’t have to dig through coded shelves to find themselves.
To build a bookstore where being seen is the starting point — not the exception.
Because everyone deserves to feel at home in the stories they read. And every story deserves a place where it can be found.
Our Mission
To create a welcoming, affirming space where LGBTQ+ readers and allies can discover powerful, honest, and inspiring stories written by and for our community.
We're currently preparing for launch, starting online with hopes of one day opening a cozy physical space of our own. Until then, we’re so glad you’ve found your way here.
📬 Join our mailing list to stay updated on our launch, new arrivals, and special events.
💬 Have questions or suggestions? Email us anytime at home@foundfamilybooks.com
Books that belong, like you do.