Yu and Me Books

February 8, 2022/ Photo: Courtesy of Yu and Me Books

Growing up, Lucy Yu never saw her or her family’s experiences reflected on bookstore shelves. Though there were no shortage of amazing stories being published by immigrants and authors of color, they were never lauded like other works or prominently displayed in shop windows. So she decided to open her own bookstore to celebrate a truly diverse array of literary voices.

“I wanted a space for immigrants and children of immigrants to see their stories showcased,” Yu said. “For anyone that has felt othered, I want them to know that there is a space that they can feel represented.”

Late last year, she opened Yu and Me Books in Manhattan’s Chinatown. With an emphasis on immigrant and Asian voices, the bookstore/cafe/bar serves as a sanctuary for readers and storytellers of different backgrounds. The shop’s initials, “YM” are also Yu’s mother’s initials, as a nod to multifaceted backgrounds and love in different languages.

To decide which works to feature through the shop, Yu says she does her research organically and with diversity in mind.

“It's not always the most linear process!” she explained. “I usually spend some time sipping wine and sifting through titles that I research, but I like to curate a range of diverse stories.”

The shop has already hosted several events with authors including Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Ly Tran, and Qian Julie Wang. Yu also recently collaborated with female, Asian-American owned roaster Favor Coffee to create an exclusive bean for the book store.  

More about the shop and its offerings can be found on its website.