Sistah Scifi is behind these book vending machines in Oakland and Seattle

Independent bookstores are at the heart of their communities. They provide culture and community, create local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, support diverse and new authors, bring books to readers 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, tell you what makes them special, and get their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have Sistah Scifi, a digital bookstore with real-world roots in Seattle and Oakland, California!

Sister Scifi

Owner Isis Asare founded Sistah Scifi in 2019. Located primarily in cyberspace, Sistah Scifi is one of the country’s first black-owned bookstores focusing on science fiction and fantasy.

In 2023, Asare launched Sistah Scifi book vending machines in Seattle and Oakland, California. The store partners with local businesses and organizations to set up the machines to bring books into the community.

In addition to the book vending machines, Asare has expanded Sistah SciFi’s programming to include in-person events.

“We created a Sistah Scifi West Coast Tour program to help Sistah Scifi authors increase exposure for their book releases,” said Asare.

This latest tour features Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs, authors of Ghost Roast.

Sistah SciFi is also preparing for “The Science Behind Science Fiction: Womb City,” an event celebrating Tlotlo Tsamaase’s upcoming novel.

Asked about the importance of independent bookstores, Asare said, “It’s about connection, community, building a world. The first step to changing the future is coming together, and there’s no better place to do that than your local bookstore.”

Check out some of Sister Scifi’s favorite books:

• For classic speculative fiction: “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia E. Butler.

• For the present: “An Unkindness of Ghost” by Rivers Solomon.

• For new releases: “Womb City” by Tlotlo Tsamaase.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sistah Scifi brings book vending machines to Oakland and Seattle