In a world where screens are everywhere and attention spans are shrinking, Stephanie Carlisle and Morganne Turberville of Acworth are making a case for slowing down—with a good book in hand. The duo, both full-time professionals, moms, wives, and book lovers, are the co-owners of a mobile bookstore called TBR BookBus.
“Reading gives us a much-needed escape from reality,” said Stephanie. “It’s our way to recharge, dream, and reconnect with ourselves. Books have made us laugh, cry, inspired us creatively, and shifted our perspectives. They’ve opened doors to new ideas, new worlds, and new ways of thinking.”
That love for reading—and the transformation it brought to their own lives—sparked an idea. Instead of just trading book recommendations with each other, why not bring the joy to everyone?
Enter Shortie, their purple, pint-sized bus turned library-on-wheels, complete with stained wood shelves, mood lighting, and a lineup of reads that range from fantasy to feminist memoirs.
“We get to turn heads everywhere we go, with a purple bus that has books in the windows and people stopping to ask, ‘Wait… what is that?!’ And we wouldn’t have it any other way,” shared Morganne.
Since their March 2025 launch, they’ve been rolling from Roswell to Canton, popping up at coffee shops, breweries, wineries, clothing boutiques, festivals, open-air markets—anywhere there’s a community ready to “yap about books.”
Sure, there were doubts. “What if we fail? What if people don’t like it?” But in true heroine fashion, they pushed past the fear. “We’d rather try and fail than spend our lives wondering what if,” admitted Morganne. That mindset, they say, changed everything—and it’s exactly what they hope others take away from their story.
Books, they believe, are more relevant than ever. In an age of mental whiplash from constant scrolling, “Books offer something radically different: focus,” explained Stephanie. It’s why they read with their kids daily—and why they built a space where others can do the same.
Whether you're a lifelong reader or just rediscovering the magic, this bus isn’t just a bookstore—it’s a movement. And yes, you’ll probably say, “I want to live in here,” the moment you step inside. Stephanie and Morganne sure did.
Find them on Instagram and TikTok: @tbrbookbus
Email: stephanie@twoblondereaders.com and morganne@twoblondereaders.com
Books offer something radically different: focus. They inspire creativity, challenge your thinking, build empathy & often shift your perspective in ways social media never could.