EF Students Explore Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena

Octavia’s Bookshelf, a Black-owned independent bookstore founded by Nikki High in 2023, creates a vibrant community space in Pasadena by honoring diverse voices and stories. Named in honor of science fiction legend Octavia E. Butler, the store offers a carefully curated selection of books, inviting readers to connect, discover new perspectives, and find a sense of belonging.

Nikki High was inspired by her lifelong love of reading and had a desire to create a space where everyone could feel comfortable. From the legacy of local science fiction icon Octavia E. Butler, the store selects a variety of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors’ books, imagining what might have filled Butler’s own bookshelf.

To learn more about the store’s mission and impact, we spoke with Rhyen, a member of the Octavia’s Bookshelf team, about the meaning behind the space and the ways it continues to build and support the community.

Rhyen explained that the store’s philosophy is based on community care. As much as it’s a place for education and a business, the heart of the philosophy is really about “how we can best serve our community.” For Nikki High, books are more than just products. They’re tools for healing, connection, and empowerment. That belief guides not only the store’s collection but also the way it engages with people.

The name “Octavia’s Bookshelf” is meaningful, and Rhyen shared the story behind the name. Named after the science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler, who was “born and raised here in Altadena,” the store honors her imagination and legacy. It’s not just about honoring a legendary author, it’s also about imagining “what would have been on Octavia Butler’s bookshelf if she had been alive today.” Therefore, it is “all of the collection of books” that they “curated through a mass amount of reading, talking to authors,” and inspired by Butler’s writing, journals, personal philosophy, and more.

“What are the things that you would see on a Black writer’s bookshelf?” she said, describing how the name reflects a deeper idea, which is the store’s vision. The curated selections of books that are mainly by BIPOC authors are “inspired” by Butler’s writings and her journals, and personal philosophy. She emphasized that’s the reason why it’s called a “bookshelf,” not a “bookstore.”

Rhyen also shared how the store contributed a lot to the community by helping with the severe situation of the devastating Eaton Fire. When the Eaton Fire swept through parts of Pasadena and Altadena, displacing families and destroying homes, Octivia’s Bookshelf shifted into a donation center.

Despite damage to Nikki’s own home, she opened the store’s doors to the community, offering power, Wi-Fi, and a safe place for people. It became a full-scale relief center, beginning with one simple Instagram post offering internet access.

“We actually shut down the store for a whole month, and instead of selling books, we turned into a community resource and donation center,” Rhyen said. It basically became a “free store for anyone who was affected by fires to come in and pick up what they need.” With shelves cleared of books to make room for donated supplies like bottled water, diapers, and pet food, the store became a place of relief and recovery. She added how it was “overflowing with donations” and community members, volunteers, and even previous customers showed up to give and receive support. She thinks this occurrence “fostered a new source of mutual aid” that she hasn’t “really seen before.”

The care continues even after the immediate disaster. They partner with the City of Pasadena’s Mental Health Services Department to host weekly group therapy sessions for wildfire survivors, which are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This department has licensed “mental health professionals,” and they do group therapy, which includes one group for kids and families, and the other for adults. It is about helping people “process” the loss of their homes, their communities, and everything that comes with a disaster. Therefore, the bookstore now serves as both a place where people can enjoy literacy and a space for emotional comfort.

Rhyen also gave some pieces of advice for young readers, especially for high school students who might not feel connected to reading yet. She understands how “reading can be tiresome, especially when it is required for a class.” However, she emphasized how “making sure that you find time to discover what type of literature you really love is one of the most important things.”

In addition, she shared her experience in high school of how discovering her “personal favorite” has influenced her significantly, shaping her path. “It has continued to influence my degree choice. It influenced my master’s choice. It influenced my dissertation,” she said. She explained that it all started when she approached a teacher and asked for a book recommendation, since she was not sure if the kind of book she wanted existed, but this teacher’s one suggestion ended up changing her life.

Overall, she insisted that “books can change lives.” Although she understands how “high school is exhausting,” she suggested that finding “a book or a genre that really fills your spirit up with joy” is important and “it doesn’t have to inspire your career, but it just needs to inspire your person.”

Octivia’s Bookshelf is more than just a place to buy books; it is a reflection of legacy, identity, and shared community. Through thoughtful curation, local outreach, and a deep commitment to healing and representation, the bookstore continues to reflect and expand on the legacy that Octivia left behind. Octivia’s Bookshelf is a cozy welcoming space dedicated to showcasing works by BIPOC authors, offering readers a chance to see themselves in the stories they read.

Today, it continues to host community programs, including therapy groups for wildfire survivors, reflecting its deep commitment to serving and uplifting the Pasadena and Altadena communities. Whether offering comfort after disaster, hosting therapy sessions, or simply helping someone discover a life-changing story, Octivia’s Bookshelf reminds us that books don’t just tell stories. They create connections between people and have the power to change lives in meaningful ways.

Octavia’s Bookshelf is located at 1353 N. Hill Ave., about a 10 minute walk from the EF campus.

Kira Marie and Han Xiao contributed reporting for this story.