The Book Itch

by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

☕︎☕︎☕︎☕︎☕︎

“Words. That’s why people need our bookstore.”

Some books just stick with you. The Book Itch is one of those. It tells the story of Lewis Michaux, the man behind the National Memorial African Bookstore—more than just a bookstore, it was a movement, a gathering place, a home for ideas. Michaux believed that books could change lives, and he built a place packed with “all the facts about all the Blacks all over the world.”

This book is stunning, both in its message and its artwork. The illustrations feel like paintings you could stare at for ages, and the story itself is just as powerful. Michaux’s words echo throughout—his belief that “knowledge is power” is at the heart of it all. And when you see people like Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali passing through his store, you feel the impact he had.

What I love most is how The Book Itch celebrates books and the people who fight to make sure everyone has access to them. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to head straight to the library (or a favorite bookstore) and lose yourself in a good book. If you love stories about history, activism, and the power of words, this one is absolutely worth picking up.