Current:Home > ContactMeet Words Unite, an indie bookstore that started on an Army post in Texas -AssetPath
Meet Words Unite, an indie bookstore that started on an Army post in Texas
View
Date:2025-04-17 03:42:43
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.
This week we have Words Unite Bookstore in Killeen, Texas.
'Words have the power to unite us all'
Words Unite firmly believes that words have the power to unite us all, and all their programs and partnership are created with this belief in mind.
Check out: USA TODAY's Independent Bookstores Map
Although Words Unite has two store locations, they’re not waiting for customers to find them: They also operate a book vending machine and two bookmobiles. As a primarily traveling bookstore, they are constantly out in the community, making connections and bringing books to anyone who wants them.
But they’re not just bringing any books to their community. Words Unite only carries titles written by indie authors.
Words Unite owner, Ashley Marie Booker-Knight, is a veteran and her first brick-and-mortar location was located on the military installation, Fort Cavazos. But her time in the service remains important to her and remains a theme in her store today.
Booker-Knight says her favorite section in the store remains the military stories section, where she’s able to highlight the true stories of the nation’s heroes.
To further the store’s mission, Words Unite recently launched a nonprofit arm called Books for a Cause. Designed to get books into even more hands, Books for a Cause works to donate books wherever they’re needed. By doing so, they hope to help close the gap in literacy access.
"Knowledge is power and we cannot wipe away that power with technology," said Booker-Knight. "Reading expands minds. Everyone has a story, and more people need to read those stories. Local bookstores help you slow the world down and move beyond the challenges.”
Words Unite book recommendations:
"Our Pledge, Our Promise" by Sheri Wall
"21 Days of Positive Speaking" by Ashley Knight
"Camouflaged Sisters" book series
veryGood! (9)
Related
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Titan sub passengers signed waivers covering death. Could their families still sue OceanGate?
- American Climate Video: The Driftwood Inn Had an ‘Old Florida’ Feel, Until it Was Gone
- Jessica Biel Shares Insight Into Totally Insane Life With Her and Justin Timberlake's 2 Kids
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Enbridge Deal Would Replace a Troubled Great Lakes Pipeline, But When?
- U.S. Renewable Energy Jobs Employ 800,000+ People and Rising: in Charts
- With Biden’s Win, Climate Activists See New Potential But Say They’ll ‘Push Where We Need to Push’
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Supreme Court takes up dispute over educational benefits for veterans
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- The hospital bills didn't find her, but a lawsuit did — plus interest
- Gender-affirming care for trans youth: Separating medical facts from misinformation
- California’s New Cap-and-Trade Plan Heads for a Vote—with Tradeoffs
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Dangers of Climate Change: Lack of Water Can Lead to War
- Senate investigation argues FBI, DHS officials downplayed or failed to properly share warnings of violence on Jan. 6
- Rachel Hollis Reflects on Unbelievably Intense 4 Months After Ex-Husband Dave Hollis' Death
Recommendation
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
Video shows shark grabbing a man's hand and pulling him off his boat in Florida Everglades
US Declares Greenhouse Gases a Danger to Public Health and Welfare
Kendall Jenner Sizzles in Little Black Dress With Floral Pasties
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
The 23 Best College Graduation Gift Ideas for the Class of 2023
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a game changer for U.S. women. Here's why.
As Scientists Struggle with Rollbacks, Stay At Home Orders and Funding Cuts, Citizens Fill the Gap