Photo credit: Hollyn Alpert

Annabelle Chang holds up “By Invitation Only” by Archer alumna Alexandra Chang (‘18) while standing in the middle of the YA-focused bookstore she founded in 2022 — Annabelle’s Book Club. Chang had previously posted an Instagram blog with her book recommendations  before transitioning to selling books at in-person pop-up events, such as the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. “LA Times was such a pivotal moment,” Chang said. “That whole experience — LA Times 2022 — was just so incredible, seeing that it could really be something brick and mortar, more permanent than just an online space — which was wonderful — but it was exciting to kind of see that we could expand that as well.”

During the pandemic, Annabelle Brown Chang began recommending books on Instagram for lockdown reading material. Her posts would result in the creation of a milestone-setting business: In 2022, 16-year-old Chang founded the first YA-focused bookstore in the United States, Annabelle’s Book Club.

Annabelle’s Book Club is a bookstore located in Studio City, Los Angeles. In addition to a curated selection of books, they also offer gifts and merchandise. The bookstore’s mission is to “spark imagination, inspire connection and bring joy to people of all ages.”

The Oracle sat down with Chang to discuss her passion for the young adult literary genre and the lessons she has learned from founding her bookstore. 

Who or what originally inspired your passion for literature and books?

Annabelle Brown Chang [ABC]: I really credit my family with my early love of reading. When I was little, my favorite part of the day was when my mom would read to my three sisters and me, and I think this really instilled in me just a love of storytelling and books from a very early age, and that continued to grow when I was old enough to start reading on my own, and a lot of early chapter books like “Percy Jackson” and the “Rainbow Magic” series by Daisy Meadows really continued that passion. 

What made you want to start Annabelle’s Book Club?

[ABC]: During my research process and while I was interviewing YA authors and bookstore owners and people in publishing and just people in the industry at large, what really stood out to me was that everyone really talked about the power and wide appeal of YA, and yet, they also all mentioned that they really didn’t know of any young adult focused-bookstores … A lot of them talked about how in many bookstores, YA is a small section, or it’s typically not even there at all. And so I think that really stuck with me because it was an interesting contrast of the popularity and power of this genre, which was really widely recognized, but then wasn’t really as represented in bookstores that you go into or online stores.

What have you learned from the process of founding and creating this bookstore?

[ABC]: Oh my gosh, I’ve learned so much. I can’t believe that it’s been three years now since we opened. I think in terms of entrepreneurship and running a business, one of the most valuable lessons that I’ve learned is how important it is to really talk to and connect with as many people as possible in your chosen area of interest. For me, Annabelle’s Book Club would really not be where it is today — probably would not exist — without the support of authors and readers and book agents and people in publishing and just everyone who is passionate about books and goes out of their way to really keep the independent bookstore community alive … I also just think it’s really important to truly just believe in your mission because that really comes through to other people. 

What were some moments of challenge that you faced when starting the bookstore, and what was a specific moment of triumph?

[ABC]: One challenge that really stands out was one very early in the process, actually, and that was trying to find the perfect space for the bookstore. It was a very long process of trying to find the perfect fit, and I was really convinced that I had found that at this space in West Hollywood. And I was dead set on it … I emailed the landlord, and he responded saying that no one would ever come to a bookstore, and especially not a young adult bookstore. And I knew that based on everything I know about YA and the book community, that was not true, but it was still very hard to hear at the time. But it truly did work out for the best because … we ended up in Studio City on Ventura Boulevard, which could not be a more perfect space or community. But I think it was just important to know when to let go of this perfect space that I had in my mind and be flexible and let something even better come along. So I think a real moment of triumph related to that was really just our opening day because there were, of course, moments where I worried, “Would people even come to the bookstore? What if he was right?” But it was just such a wonderful, wonderful opening. 

What is your favorite part of the work that you’re doing with Annabelle’s Book Club?

[ABC]: There are so many wonderful parts of running a brick-and-mortar store. I think my favorite, not to be redundant, is probably just the people that I’ve met through the bookstore. I think it’s such a wide range of amazing people. It’s authors I’ve gotten to work with, publishers and just meeting new types of people, new readers, every day. Two of my closest friends, I actually happened to meet through the bookstore, which was such a lovely surprise. I just feel so grateful that it’s grown into this very strong community that I’m very proud of.

What are some of your future goals, hopes and dreams for Annabelle’s Book Club?

[ABC]: In a dream world, I would love to see Annabelle’s Book Club expand to other cities. I’ve also always dreamed of launching a young adult-focused imprint just because I love YA stories so much and feel like I’ve learned so much about what resonates with people and where there are still gaps in YA through my experiences, and just really looking forward to seeing where it continues to grow in the next few years.