Marketplace · Tuesday, September 8, 2026
The recently opened independent bookstore 'Judging by the Cover' in Fresno, California, specializes in literature by and about people of color and LGBTQ individuals. The store, which started as a pop-up in 2023, aims to be a community hub and provide representation for underrepresented groups.
“It's called Judging by the Cover and it's tiny, 500 square feet.”
“So we first started in 2023 as a pop-up. Ashley Marrella Guerrero and her husband started selling books at vendor markets and music festivals. Then as now, the store focuses on literature by and about people of color and LGBTQ people.”
“One of like our first pop-up events, we had an elder who said they've never seen themselves represented in books before.”