Feminist Bookstore Cafe Con Libros Opens In Crown Heights

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Milk, sugar, feminist literature? That's the question at a new coffee shop in Crown Heights serving up books by women writers along with espressos, lattes and cappuccinos.

You’ll find funny essays by Lindy West, sci-fi novels by Octavia Butler, and a tale of woe from Hillary Rodham Clinton at Cafe Con Libros, a small coffee shop at 724 Prospect Place that opened about a month ago.

Wife and husband team Kalima Desuze and Ryan Cameron launched the feminist community bookstore to provide local booklovers a place to meet, drink and read, according to the cafe website.

"Cafe con libros is a feminist community bookstore catering to folks who are book lovers, coffee aficionados, or both," the couple wrote.

"We aim to provide space for anyone seeking a community of readers and thinkers and, to spread the love of reading as a source of healing and joy."

Readers can snag fair-trade coffee from Irving Farm, tea from Kenya and locally baked pastries before curling up in one of two window seats with one of many books on display in the store.

Looking for feminist theory? Try “Difficult Women” by Roxane Gay. A great Nigerian novel? Pick up “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. In the mood for a best-selling biography? There's "I Am Malala" by by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai.

There’s also a selection of books for young feminists, which includes a picture book about Sonia Sotomayor and the New York Times bestseller, “Grace For President.”

The coffee shop and bookstore will host a monthly book club, book fairs for young adult fiction and readings from local artists.

The first book club meeting is slated for Sunday, Jan. 28 when readers will discuss “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

Space is limited, those interested in attending should contact the store at info@cafeconlibrosbk.com.

The cafe is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.. from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Photos by Kathleen Culliton