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Today’s featured boss lady needs no introduction for many of you.
Maybe she was your teacher, your child’s teacher, your neighbor, or your friend.
Her name is Robin Dauma, and she has a gigantic heart, a very clear vision, and has spent her first two years as a brand-new business owner serving others first, quite literally creating opportunities many people likely wouldn’t have found otherwise.
It’s a big reason Blue Apple Books has become such a beloved destination in downtown Madison.
What a gift it’s been to sit back and watch what has happened at Blue Apple Books in Madison, Alabama. It’s been something truly special.
Blue Apple Books is an independent bookstore approaching its second birthday, located in the heart of downtown Madison beside its sister store, South & Pine Home, a beautiful home décor and gift shop. Both businesses are owned by longtime Madison educator Robin Dauma, who spent nearly three decades teaching students in Madison City Schools, from Pre-K through AP and Honors classes, while also serving as the Destination Imagination sponsor for 28 years!
Today, South & Pine continues to be a favorite stop for gifts, local artwork, candles, kitchen items, home décor, and so much more. Next door, Blue Apple Books has become Madison’s only independent bookstore, offering books for every age and nearly every genre imaginable.
To date, 78 local authors have had their books featured on Blue Apple Books’ shelves, and nearly 90% of them have hosted events inside the store. How incredible is that?!
Robin shared that many of these authors can’t believe they have the opportunity to sit face-to-face with readers. It’s truly a win-win for everyone involved.
Robin told me her dream has always been for Blue Apple Books to feel more like a living room than a retail store, a place where people feel comfortable pulling a book off the shelf, settling into a cozy chair, and staying awhile.
After visiting, I’d say she’s accomplished exactly that!
One of my favorite moments during our recent time together came during a conversation with Sarah Sledge (whom many of you know from Madison Public Library).
Sledge shared that she comes to Blue Apple Books because of the sense of community Robin has created.
“Robin has an innate ability to find the heart of a group of people, develop that group, and bring people together.”
She continued, “She makes us all better.”
Cue the tears! It was one of those moments that perfectly captured why this little bookstore means so much to so many people.
I am sure some of you are wondering where the name came from, and I absolutely love the story. Years ago, while attending a conference as a teenager that she wasn’t very excited about, Robin heard someone ask the question:
“What would you do if you saw a blue apple growing on a tree?”
She explained that most people hesitate when they’re faced with something unfamiliar (like seeing a blue apple among a tree full of red, green, and yellow ones).
But Blue Apple Books was built around the idea of embracing the unexpected, trying new things, creating opportunities, welcoming people, and choosing curiosity. Once you know that story, you’ll notice blue apples decorating the store everywhere, which is special.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE NOTE OF THIS…
The white bookcases lining the wall to your right when you walk into Blue Apple Books were handcrafted by Robin’s husband using wood from the Mississippi farm where she grew up.
If walls could talk, right?!
If you’re looking for a bookstore in Madison, AL, here’s what you’ll find inside Blue Apple Books:
One of my favorite things about Blue Apple Books is the way Robin intentionally supports local authors! Nearly 80 local writers have had their books featured in the store, and many have been invited for book launches, release parties, author signings, and conversations with readers.
Here’s a little insider information that I think you’ll appreciate:
The store continues to become a gathering place for readers throughout Madison.
If you haven’t wandered through Blue Apple Books yet, I genuinely encourage you to.
Whether you’re looking for your next great read, a thoughtful gift, your child’s summer reading book, or simply a peaceful place to browse for a while, I have a feeling you’ll understand why so many people love this little independent bookstore in downtown Madison.
Make plans to attend the Rocket City Book Crawl on Saturday, July 18th. Blue Apple Books is one of six participating stores, so join the fun! Here are the details.
Blue Apple Books is located in downtown Madison, Alabama, beside South & Pine Home.
Yes. Blue Apple Books is locally owned by longtime Madison educator Robin Dauma.
Yes. Blue Apple Books is currently Madison’s only independent bookstore.
Yes. The bookstore offers books for children, teens, and adults across nearly every genre.
Yes. Blue Apple Books carries many Madison City Schools summer reading titles, making it a convenient stop for local families.
Yes. Blue Apple Books regularly hosts local author signings, release parties, book launches, workshops, and community events.
Yes. Robin welcomes workshops, book clubs, classes, and community collaborations.
The name comes from a question Robin heard years ago: “What would you do if you saw a blue apple growing on a tree?” The blue apple represents embracing new ideas, welcoming the unexpected, and creating opportunities that might not have existed otherwise.
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