About Us

Lorraine’s Bookshelf is an online used bookstore and reading community rooted in the joy, power, and preservation of Black literature.

Founded in 2023 by poet, avid reader, and lifelong book collector Lauren Chalaire (@Lauren_Chalaire), Lorraine’s Bookshelf was born from a simple but urgent mission: to make Black books more accessible, more affordable, and more visible. In a time when Black stories are often sidelined or priced out of reach, we offer a sustainable alternative—used books in excellent condition, thoughtfully curated for readers who crave connection and representation.

The name Lorraine holds deep personal meaning. The store is named in honor of Lauren’s late aunt, Aunt Lorraine, whose love of reading and passion for thrifting inspired Lauren’s earliest memories of storytelling, library visits, and discovering hidden gems on dusty shelves. This legacy—of passing down books and Black stories with care—is what sparked the vision for Lorraine’s Bookshelf.

More than a bookstore, Lorraine’s is a digital gathering place for Black literature enthusiasts, activists, dreamers, and creatives. Through community-led book clubs, workshops, and adult book fairs, we’re redefining what it means to build community around Black reading—and making sure no one is priced out of it.