Raven Books: Bryan’s Cozy Portal to Other Worlds

Article By: Candace Obi, Student Intern | BCS Chronicle

What You Need To Know:

• The BCS area’s newest bookstore, Raven Books, is located in the heart of Bryan, sharing a space with Nan’s Blossom Shop.

• Owned by longtime Bryan resident, Kevin Taylor, the shop opened for business on September 1, 2025.

• Raven Books offers a carefully curated selection of Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, and Mystery/Thriller books.

• The store is planning a fall-themed event and is restocked full of autumnal literary offerings.

• Raven Books are open Mon-Friday from 9am to 6pm and their weekend hours on Saturday are from 8am to 12pm.

An early afternoon sun filters softly through the windows of Nan’s Blossom Shop, illuminating the cozy corner where Raven Books resides. Burnt orange autumn leaves drape across the tops of the fall-green bookshelves adorned with colorful bouquets, candles, and crystal rocks that catch the light. In the bookmarks corner, the largest bouquet complements a sign that reads, “Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, and drink the wild air.” At the center of the space, a symbolic black raven perches atop a table beside a copy of The Chestnut Man. Visitors can linger between the four boldly labeled genres: Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, and Mystery/Thriller – each inviting Bryan-College Station readers to step into a different fantasy world.

Raven Books, Bryan’s newest indie bookstore, opened September 1st and 2nd as the manifestation of Kevin Taylor’s lifelong dream. Noticing a gap in the local literary scene, Taylor saw the perfect opportunity to bring an alternative bookstore to the heart of Bryan.

“You know, there’s Barnes & Noble, there’s Half Price Books, and then another one down in South College Station,” Taylor said. “Being a college town, I thought there was definitely a market for it. I also know the owner of Nan’s (Blossom Shop), and they’ve given me support and thankfully a space.”

Rather than filling every shelf with a little bit of everything, Taylor chose to carefully curate his bookstore to spotlight the genres he knows best.

“With only having a limited amount of space, I didn't want to offer every genre and there not be as good of a selection, so I narrowed it down to Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, and Mystery/Thriller,” Taylor said. “This makes me able to give better recommendations and help my customers out.”

Taylor’s favorite book, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, is a rich high-fantasy novel that he praises for its intricate magic system and immersive worldbuilding. Books like these further inspired the development of Ravens Books.

“It’s very in-depth, and his writing style is really easy to read,” Taylor said. “He’s actually the one who got me back into reading. I didn’t really start until after college, but once I picked up The Way of Kings, I just kept going from there.”

Raven Books celebrated its grand opening on September 1st and 2nd with an overwhelming community turnout, Taylor explained. Visitors flocked to explore the new space and many titles found homes by the end of the weekend. The event also featured a raffle with prizes. The shelves had just been restocked for National Read A Book Day (Sept. 6), inviting visitors back into Raven Books’ cozy corner to discover fresh titles.

The whimsical aesthetic of the bookstore isn’t just decoration, but the heart of Raven Books’ identity.

“I love the cottage-core vibe and feeling, and I love ravens, so I figured it all tied together,” Taylor said. “Nan’s Blossoms helped me decorate, and it looks great. The feedback has been amazing and people say they love the space. I didn’t want something bland like the millennial gray walls you see in other stores. I wanted something warm and inviting.”

Taylor also keeps a close eye on what readers are reaching for as the seasons change.

“A big trending genre right now is romantasy (romance and fantasy),” Taylor said, pointing to popular titles like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses. “But in the fall, people really gravitate toward cozy fantasy or a good murder mystery. That’s why I’m planning a fall event and I’ve already ordered a bunch of fall-themed books.”

Running a bookstore isn’t all glitz and glam. Behind the cozy shelves lies a lot of unseen work for Taylor while balancing a full-time job.

“Setting up the website, ordering books from wholesalers, trying to predict which titles will catch readers’ interest, it all takes time,” Taylor explained. “I’m constantly rearranging the space, finding new decorations, and planning events months in advance. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make the store feel just right. I’m grateful to have Nan’s support as they manage the store for me during the week.”

Born and raised in Bryan, Taylor explained the value of community and collaboration among local businesses. He hopes to build connections through Raven Books, creating opportunities for partnerships, pop-ups, and shared events.

“The small businesses like to help each other out and support one another,” Taylor said. “Pot Heads is a small plant shop in Bryan and she’s looking to move into the open space in Nan’s, so it’d be a great combination of a flower shop, plant shop, and bookstore. Other than that, I’d like to get in touch with coffee shops and a pop-up store with them. Eventually, I’d love to get into First Friday aswell.”

Raven Books is located in downtown Bryan at 11105 S Texas Ave inside Nan’s Blossom Shop. They are open Mon-Friday from 9am to 6pm and their weekend hours on Saturday are from 8am to 12.