One of my earliest childhood memories is standing in line at my elementary school library, clutching a book like a newborn baby. I was so thrilled about my selection that I felt the need to protect it from harm, and in turn earned praise from my teacher about the proper etiquette of holding a borrowed book. Needless to say, I was — and still am — a complete book nerd. I’ve been tracking my reading list for a decade, attending bookmark fairs such as the recent Off Register , and have a weekly ritual to take my children to the library.
For many years, it felt like I might be an anomaly — because who really has time to read regularly for fun while balancing a full-time job and raising two kids? Turns out, I just hadn’t found my reading people. Luckily, those people are now in the spotlight thanks to a little converted horse trailer bathed in a shade of pink.
Ali Bogatz and Samantha Mooneyham are teachers turned entrepreneurs who have converted their passion for reading into a business. All Booked Up ( allbookedupsb.com ) at its core is a mobile bookstore — a micro-sized retailer with a curated selection of fantasy, romance, children’s and book-related knickknacks. In the six months since opening, the women have partnered with writers for readings, organized bedazzling events at Funk Zone wineries, and hosted release parties for some of their favorite authors.