In a win for Detroit’s literary soul, Source Booksellers has been named Publishers Weekly’s 2025 Bookstore of the Year, a well-earned nod to a space where nonfiction meets Black brilliance. At the helm is Janet Webster Jones, a former educator whose love for learning and community sparked a bookstore that’s as intentional as it is beloved.
Jones started selling books in 1989, setting up at church bazaars and community events before opening a brick-and-mortar store with her daughter, Alyson Jones Turner. What began as a table of handpicked titles on Black history has grown into a Midtown institution that thrives on curation, not clutter. You won’t find the latest romance here, but you will walk into shelves stacked with titles on culture, health, spirituality, and strong Black womanhood.
Source isn’t just about books, it’s about belonging. Author talks, wellness events, and honest conversations fill the space with more than just the rustle of turning pages. The store’s Detroit-focused section speaks to Jones’s deep belief that place matters, and stories rooted in the city deserve front-and-center stage.
Even when the pandemic threatened to close its doors, Source pivoted with grace, leaning on community and grit to stay open and even expand. That resilience, combined with decades of promoting Black voices on the shelves and in the spotlight, is what makes this win more than just a title. It’s a celebration of purpose, presence, and power.
Detroit already knew. Now, the world does too.