Black Pearl Books is an independent bookseller in Austin, Texas, founded by Katrina and Eric Brooks. The couple moved to Austin from California in 2019 and started selling books online and at pop-up events, then opened a storefront on Burnet Road in north Austin in 2022.
The business focuses on books by Black authors and diverse voices for readers of all ages, including a strong children's selection. Black Pearl Books has been active in schools and the wider community, bringing authors to Austin classrooms and speaking up against book bans.
In June 2026 the owners closed the Burnet Road storefront, with June 20 as the last day of in-store shopping. They have said the business is not going away. The online store remains open at shop.blackpearlbookstore.com, the shop links to audiobooks through Libro.fm and ebooks through Bookshop.org, and it runs a book club. Author events were planned to continue.
Readers in Austin and beyond can keep supporting Black Pearl Books by ordering online and following the shop for news on events and what comes next.
The business focuses on books by Black authors and diverse voices for readers of all ages, including a strong children's selection. Black Pearl Books has been active in schools and the wider community, bringing authors to Austin classrooms and speaking up against book bans.
In June 2026 the owners closed the Burnet Road storefront, with June 20 as the last day of in-store shopping. They have said the business is not going away. The online store remains open at shop.blackpearlbookstore.com, the shop links to audiobooks through Libro.fm and ebooks through Bookshop.org, and it runs a book club. Author events were planned to continue.
Readers in Austin and beyond can keep supporting Black Pearl Books by ordering online and following the shop for news on events and what comes next.
Black Pearl Books