This month’s Meet the Neighbors feature is a look into the life of I Love You So Much Books owner, Mariela Gavino.

Mariela opened ILYSM February 2025 on Brookland Park specializing in variety of genres with a focus on unique/hard to find titles.

Stop by ILYSM on Brookland Park to shop a wonderful selection of books.

HAND / THROWN Tell us a little bit about you!

MARIELA GAVINO: Mariela Gavino is the owner of I Love You So Much Books in the Brookland Park neighborhood of Richmond, VA. ILYSM Books started as a pop-up that appeared in many vintage markets and venues around the city. They opened their brick and mortar space on Valentines Day 2025. ILYSM Books is a proud Filipino, LGBTQ, Woman owned bookstore specializing in variety of genres with a focus on unique/hard to find titles.

HT: When did you join the Hand / Thrown community?

MG: April of 2021!

“ILYSM Books is a proud Filipino, LGBTQ, Woman owned bookstore specializing in variety of genres with a focus on unique/hard to find titles.”

HT: Tell us about your experience at Hand / Thrown and its impact on your business.

MG: Hand/Thrown is the reason I discovered Brookland Park. I 100% give them credit for planting the little seed in my head that I could one day open a shop on the same street. I had become friends with Emily Wicks after taking her class and I remember calling her when I was starting my journey of looking for a space. She encouraged me to go for it and was such a champion for the Brookland Park neighborhood.

HT:What’s been your favorite class you’ve taken at Hand / Thrown?

MG: My favorite class is Beginner Wheel Throwing! It was quite a humbling experience and forces you to slow down and be very intentional. I took it twice because I just loved the process of learning and building my skills slowly. The best part about taking it again is that I felt like I kept learning something new that I hadn't thought of before. Wheel throwing taught me to be patient and release control. There's so many factors and steps that can change your piece in the process. I'm grateful I was able to take the class through their BIPOC scholarship. I also love taking the "Give It a Shot" classes with friends! Its such a fun activity to do and then you get a piece out of it.

HT: What do you like about being in Brookland Park?

MG: There's a strong sense of loyalty in the neighborhood. I'll often see regulars and customers walking about and it's nice to be able to stop and have a conversation. We all frequent the same places and can count on each other if we need anything.

HT: Any exciting things happening or coming up at your business?

MG: We're excited to keep growing in our spot! Plenty of pop-ups and other small businesses will cycle through our space. We also hope to get a shop cat by the fall!!!