married to books
Who We Are.
Welcome to A Novel Idea on Passyunk, a queer, disabled, and woman-owned community-minded bookstore and event space in East Passyunk, Philadelphia. We are Alex Schneider (he/they) and Christina Rosso-Schneider (she/they), former residents of East Passyunk, book lovers, horror fans, and parents of Atticus Finch and Triss Merigold, two lovable rescue pups. A Novel Idea is a dog-friendly store.
We are a husband-wife team that opened the bookstore (our first business!) just six weeks after getting married in 2018. Alex brings two decades of graphic design experience to the shop, creating all of our branded merchandise, and Christina, as an author, educator, and tarot reader, brings her experience and interests to the shop by coordinating an array of events, including reading tarot, hosting writing and occult-based workshops, and running two book clubs.
More than anything, our goal is to cultivate community. Over the past seven years, we've built a bookstore that reflects the community’s interests, while also supporting it. One way we do this is through our Philadelphia Author and Small Press sections. We hope to continue creating and fostering a space of diversity and
inclusivity, and we want to help our customers fall in love with books,
whether for the first time or the millionth.
“A delightful gem! They've got a fun selection, and their new fiction and fantasy is always on point.
“...our go-to stop for books. Christina and Alex are delightful and true members of the community.
“Small but warm and cozy place of collections. If you love books just try to stop by...
Canvas RebelMeet Christina Rosso-Schneider
Fox 29 LiveEast Passyunk Stroll
The Philadelphia InquirerA Novel Idea in East Passyunk saved by neighbors - but will it last?
ThrillistFind Your Next Read at the Top Bookstores in Philly
Al Dia"...sharing its space with local artists and writers in Philly"
Book Club BabbleA Novel Idea and a Labor of Love: The Story of a South Philly Bookstore.
Philly Mag6 New Bookstores to Check Out Around Philly | There’s a big focus on local talent at this months-old gem — local authors, local publishers, local artists and the locals who love them.
Broad Street ReviewA new bookstore, A Novel Idea on Passyunk, just opened in South Philly, leaving people excited but also curious. “Do people even buy books anymore?”
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Philly Mag
It’s a Passyunk love story for the books. Until a few months ago, now-newlyweds Christina Rosso-Schneider and Alexander Schneider could hardly find time to fit one another in their schedules.
The Smart SetRegardless of changes to the community is the neighborhood feel of Passyunk Square. One thing, however, was missing: a bookstore.
Philly VoiceA Novel Idea, a new community bookstore headed for Passyunk, opens this weekend.
South Philly ReviewScrolling through Tinder a few years ago, South Philly resident Alexander Schneider swiped right on particularly quirky candidate.
