Tory: Sower Books
“Here, we’re going to be dorky and enthusiastic”
Creating a Book Community in Lincoln
Tory grew up in a military family and adopted Lincoln, Nebraska as her home. The "Go Big Red!" culture resonated with her, and she loved the campus and town. Lincoln is the second-largest city in Nebraska and on game days for the university, the stadium becomes the third-largest place in the state.
After working as a classroom assistant abroad, she considered going back to school to become a librarian but decided against it. In 2016, she discovered the world of independent bookstores and realized this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Tory thrived in several local indies and became involved, especially during Covid, by managing the social media and online presence for Chapters Books and Gifts in Seward (half an hour to the west of Lincoln).
Experiences and Identity
Working at a very progressive bookstore in Lincoln challenged many of her assumptions about the world. She learned to sit with discomfort and reflect on privilege. At another bookstore, she had the opportunity to gently open people's eyes to their surroundings. These experiences inspired her to create a space where inclusivity and anti-racism are central. Tory wanted to be more vocal about her beliefs and provide a platform for diverse voices.
She shared about the joys of spending her days surrounded by books and talking about books with others. Her goal is to give others the chance to share their enthusiasm for what they are interested in.
“I know I’m a goofball and a dork, and I have plenty of people who love me exactly that way. I want people to have that same level of comfort within the space. Here, we’re going to be dorky and enthusiastic.”
Tory identifies as queer, neurospicy, and disabled - having dealt with varying levels of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder since her teens.
Mystery Book Boxes
Some refer to her as a “book psychic” based on her strangely accurate book knowledge that she uses to recommend texts to others through purchased "Mystery Boxes."
During Covid, when people weren’t able to browse books in-store, she created a form for people to share their interests and preferences. Tory would then take those responses and come up with a keenly constructed box of books to send their way. The feedback was that they adored those selections, which has led to her creating over 500 boxes both at her previous employer and current. Since then, at least one person in every single US state has purchased a Mystery Box, including DC and Puerto Rico! To stay organized, she uses a comprehensive spreadsheet to know what to send people who have already purchased boxes based on the feedback.
More recently, Tory has created “Eras” boxes for Swifties, who are major readers. If someone asks for a box based on a particular Swift album, Tory will listen to the music intensely and take notes to get a bunch of suitable books for the readers.
“Sower Books”
The name is inspired by Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower.
She loved the major theme of: “The world is crumbling. What do we do now? How do we create a world that is better for everyone?”
There's also a 19-foot sculpture of the "Sower" on the roof of the Nebraska Capitol, and the state’s children's choice awards are called the "Golden Sower." The first page of the book takes place in 2024, aligning perfectly with the vision and timing.
The Opening of the Bookshop
The shop is within a huge, 4000 sq ft space, and is truly a reflection of the community, as customers have donated furniture (including an antique piano and vintage globe) as well as their time and energy to create a space where they feel ownership and buy-in. In terms of the type of shop she hopes to create, Tory discussed how her mom has a good eye for interior design.
“We've always collected things, and I wanted the space to feel whimsical and magical. The place should bring people joy and connection.”
She has been working on getting the bookstore ready for the past year, initially operating from home. While still a work zone, the shop's doors were open with the sellable inventory available to anyone looking to check out the space and purchase a book.
The official grand opening is Labor Day 2024!
Earliest Book Memories
Tory's mom, an elementary teacher and librarian, was very excited about teaching her own daughter how to read. Before she had that chance, she put Tory to bed with a Ramona book one night, and Tory somehow read the entire book after she left. On revisiting Beverly Cleary as an adult, Tory is in awe of Cleary's amazing ability to understand the mind of a child.
Tory shares a desire to do the same at Sower Books: “I want to create a space for kids to hang out and be themselves, with books for all ages and interests.”
Advice and Unexpected Joys
"Not everyone is comfortable being goofy, but if you’re enthusiastic about something, don’t be too cool for it. The excitement is contagious, and people will feel comfortable sharing their perspectives on suggested books."
Tory described how fulfilling it has been to make Lincoln her hometown. Many have come by and shared their excitement about the bookshop and their own stories about the area. Other business owners, elementary school employees, and members of the surrounding neighborhood have shared their stories, making her feel welcomed and supported.
"It’s wonderful to see people with fond memories of the space now being part of a new collection of memories."
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Make sure to pop into the official opening on September 2nd, 2024!
