Dominique Burleson🌻

I’m a little late but it’s here!!! This is my 4th year hosting this reading journey and it’s one of my favorite things that has come out of the bookstore! You guys always tag me in your progress and it seriously makes my heart so happy! This is a journey not necessarily a “challenge”. The goal isn’t to read it all in a year. You go at your own pace to experience a wide variety of storytellers. This is why I keep the previous years’ prompts up so you can go back and work on those when you’d like to! This is already live on StoryGraph! This year’s journal will be available in the shop tomorrow, so be in the lookout for that! I’m sorry haven’t been active here in a while. 2025 wasn’t kind (to anyone!) but I’ve already taken steps to balance my workload. My oldest has officially started training as a customer support specialist for the shop which means faster fulfillment times and responses to messages! This is HUGE. I’m excited to get P&F on track again. Thank y’all for being here! #readingchallenge #Nativeowned #decolonizeyourbookshelf #indiebookstore #readmorediversebooks

I haven’t done an official intro in ages so I thought I’d upload an updated one. This is who I am in a professional capacity. It doesn’t cover all that I am. -I’m a wife of almost 18 yrs. -I’m a homeschooling mama of 6 -I’m a mama of kiddos with autism, ADHD, GAD, and epilepsy. -I too have a list of chronic illnesses and disabilities -I’m a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina -I have a deep love for breakfast foods-especially pancakes. -I’m terrified of clowns and the ocean. -I really want to get into politics as an elected official. -I’m a full time American Indian Studies student at UNCP. -I’m a bead artist. -I am working on an Indigenous rom-com novel. -I’m a huge anime & kdrama fan. I’m also for hire 😊 I am more than just a bookseller, although I’m so grateful for that title. Thank you for learning a little bit about me. Tell me some things about YOU! #decolonizeyourbookshelf #decolonize #indiebookstores #Lumbee #Indigenous #bookmobile #homeschoolmama #Indigenouswoman #Nativewoman #Nativewomanowned #Indigenousowned #bookishpeople #NorthCarolina #Nativebusiness #keynotespeaker #indigenousspeaker #Nativespeaker #indigenouseducators #decolonizeeducation

I’m posting early, but don’t worry-this will be an ongoing project. Many have asked for important books to read or stock up on. Here’s a starting point. I will continue to add as I can. It’s split between adult, YA, middle grade, and children’s. The cost is whatever you you’re able to pay. It simply helps me continue to pour into these kind of projects. I don’t know what 2025 will bring for my shop. Will I even have a shop? I don’t know. But I’m gonna keep sharing all the resources I can for these uncertain times. So stay tuned for more of these resources to drop over the next few weeks. You can find the 🔗 where you always find them. As always, I’m glad you’re here. #decolonizeeducation #dedolonizeyourbooklist #Indigenous #educationalresources #booklist #collectiveliberation #secularhomeschool #homeschoolresources #teacherresources #decolonize #Lumbee

It’s not Red Dress Day anymore, but that doesn’t mean we should stop talking about these stories. Far too often the violence against Natives happens without anyone knowing. In Red Threads we have stores where the only evidence is the stories from family. Please don’t turn away. You can also follow our database over at @redthreadsdatabase . #decolonizeyourmind #MMIW #mmiwg2s #decolonizeeducation #NativeOwned

These stats come from @niwrc and help show the importance of raising awareness about MMIWG+. Take time today to learn about MMIWG+ and if possible give to causes like @niwrc and follow more Indigenous women. I’ll tag some of my favorites in the comments, share your’s as well. Video description: red dress hanging on clothesline with text Today is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day. 56.1% of Indigenous women have experienced sexual violence. Homicide is roughly the third leading cause of death among Indigenous women ages 10-24. The 10 states with the highest rates of American Indian/Alaska Native missing persons cases in 2025 were AK, AZ, OK, WA, NM, CA, MT, NC, SD, and TX. 95 percent of cases identified by the Urban Indian Health Institute had not been covered by the mainstream media. #mmiw #mmiwg #mmiwg2s #reddressday

Today is my 18th wedding anniversary!! So in celebration I wanted to share some romance books that are on my TBR! 1. I met @rubyranawrites at BookCon and she is the SWEETEST human ever. So of course I bought all three of her books! I haven’t read a sports romance yet so I’m excited! 2. @michael.laborn knows how I am trash for mafia dark romance. So he recommended this one for me!! I cannot wait! 3. Y’all know this one is a not brainer because of how much I STILL talk about Sangu Mandanna’s The Secret Society of Irregular Witches!!! 4. I’m not gonna lie. This cover sucked me in. Enemies to lovers? Close proximity? Yes and yes. 5. You’d have to be living under a rock to not know about this book! I wanna read it not just because of the hype and the amazing publishing story. The premise does intrigue me!! I’ve written a post with 10 more romance recs I think you’d enjoy! Read slide 6 for more info! Now tell me some of romances are your TBR today!!! #romancebookrecs #southasianauthors #blackauthors #sportsromance #darkromancereader

You already know how we do things here at Left Unread. We dream big and then we work hard to make those dreams seem easy. Here’s today’s mission! Check out my latest blog and help us make a big splash this Independent Bookstore Day. #independentbookstoreday #leftunread #leftunreadbooks #paperbacksandfrybread

This Saturday (4/25) is #independentbookstoreday!! The most wonderful day of the year for book nerds! This is a time to celebrate indie bookstores in a myriad of ways!!! Truth is our industry is HURTING. With the likes of the Zon, tariffs, book bans, cost of living…we are struggling, y’all. If you’re looking at ways to help: -purchases (duh) -Libro.fm (search your bookstore) -bookshop.org (search your bookstore) -share posts -word of mouth -Patreon/Substack/etc. (many booksellers create content I appreciate all of you that’s been supporting this little dream for the past 5.5 years. I want P&F to have longevity. I wanna be here next year and beyond. Let’s stoodis, y’all!!!! Hawu (thank you) for being here. #decolonizeyourbookshelf #indiebookstore #indigenousowned #womenownedbusinesses

This dialogue is bonkers. 20k+ people across two days as one of the most prolific authors on n attendance?!? Come on. These are human beings. Being bummed you didn’t have an exceptional interaction is valid. But we’ve gotta stop wanting people to perform for us. And the way y’all talking about this Black woman across the interwebs is crossing a line that sounds a whole lot like patriarchy going “well you should smile more”. Do better, community. I’m still recovering from BookCon and I had ONE panel. #bookcon20206 #tracydeonn #bookcommunity #decolonize #nativewoman

The “Decolonize Your Bookshelf Reading Journey” hosted by @paperbacks_n_frybread on @the.storygraph is always one of the most enlivening of the reading challenges I complete each year. The prompts always push me to do lots of research, and lead me to find and to enjoy books I never would have encountered otherwise. This week I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these books: Children’s Book From Alaskan Native Author: “Sweetest Kulu” Children’s Book About Mental Health: “Beautifully Me” South American Indigenous Non-Fiction: “The Girl from Chimel”

I made this while on the plane home. Each time I watch it I cry because WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS REAL LIFE?? I met so many of my heroes-and that includes folks who have been supporters of my work. I only got this opportunity because of you. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the very first all Indigenous panel at @bookcon ! It was a huge honor to share space with both @rebeccaroanhorse and #MoniquillBlackgoose and talk storytelling! LOVED meeting @authorscarlettstclair , @aidenschmaiden , @nia.davenport , @wordsiren , @readingwithmyeevee , & @rubyranawrites ! I know I’m missing a ton of folks but know I’m grateful for you. I have to SCREAM all my love to @whereireadthisbook for being such a great friend and pillar of support. They took a ton of photos and told everyone about my panel. I had such a great time with you! Thanks to @bookcon for inviting me to represent my people and carve out space for our stories. I am so blessed. My cup is so full. #bookcon2026 #bookcon #decolonizeyourbookshelf #nativeowned

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “I don’t deserve this.” This year has been so hard. The bookstore isn’t doing well and I’ve felt like my dream is fading away. But then doors open I could never imagine and I feel like Creator and the ancestors say, “let’s take the scenic route.” I wouldn’t be here without you all. I’m so grateful for this community who believes in my work and what I do. Thank you to Allison for keeping me company and fangirling with me! Thanks to @aidenschmaiden for sharing such a powerful story and being so freaking kind. If you’re at #bookcon2026 my panel tomorrow begins at 2pm! I hope to see you there so we can talk about #indigenousjoy with @rebeccaroanhorse and Monquill Blackgoose! #decolonizeyourbookshelf #indigenousowned #lumbee