At the corner of Royal and Mandeville Streets in the Marigny, tucked between two rooms of Sterling Provision, sits May Books. In fact, if you were wandering through the vintage furniture store, you might very well walk through the little room and miss it for what it is—an independent bookstore showcasing a carefully curated collection of international art and design books. All three rooms are beautiful, with the enticing scent of French soap wafting throughout, but May Books’ selection is truly unique in New Orleans and therefore worth browsing through, even—and perhaps especially—if you’re new to the world of art and design publications.

Émilie Lamy, the bookshop’s owner, moved from France to New Orleans last February with a high-speed Risograph in tow and a passion for publishing—a passion you’ll find contagious when talking with her, which she is more than happy to do. As an extension of May Gallery and Residency, May Books emphasizes outreach and education. Its goal is to expand the audience for contemporary art in the city while also creating a reliable revenue stream. May’s plans for the next few years involve a new building in the Upper Ninth Ward that could house the bookstore, gallery, residency, and administrative space all in one. But for now, stop by the current cozy location and browse through these lovely books—and discover worlds on paper you may not have known existed.