Our Bright Young Collectors series continues today with 2025 David Ruggles Book Collecting Prize Winner Laurane Reine-Adelaïde
Where are you from / where do you live?
I am originally from Martinique, a Caribbean island where my whole family is from. I now live in France, just outside Paris.
What did you study, and what do you do now?
I studied literature and cultural studies for several years, before specializing during my Master’s degree in cultural event management, including exhibitions and editorial production (magazines, exhibition catalogues, etc.). I currently work in a library, where I focus on video games as a cultural medium, introducing people to their diversity and highlighting the depth of experiences they can offer to different audiences. I’m also a gamer myself, and more broadly, I’m fascinated by culture in all its forms.
Please introduce us to your book collection. What areas do you collect in?
My book collection focuses on the West Indies, with a particular emphasis on Martinique and neighboring islands. It explores themes I am naturally drawn to clothing, jewellery, food, and the way nature is deeply intertwined with everyday life. More than a specific time period or subject, I’m interested in the lived experience of Caribbean life and the many ways it shapes identity.
How many books are in your collection?
I would estimate that my collection includes between 100 and 200 items, as I collect across genres and formats: non-fiction, fiction, children’s literature, as well as exhibition booklets and museum publications related to the subject.
What was the first book you bought for your collection?
When I bought The Heart to Laugh and to Cry by Maryse Condé, I didn’t yet realize that I was starting a collection. At the time, I became aware, thanks to conversations with family members, that I knew very little about Caribbean literature, and even less about women writers from the region. That realization stayed with me. I remember thinking: how could I consider myself a lover of literature without knowing the works of writers from my own birthplace?
Reading Maryse Condé was a turning point. I was still a student then, and became so interested in her work that I dedicated an entire presentation to her. My professor, who was not familiar with her at the time, was incredibly supportive, which made the experience even more meaningful.
What about the most recent book?
The most recent addition to my collection is Solitude, la flamboyante published by Éditions Anacaona. It is inspired by the life of Solitude, an enslaved woman in the Caribbean who has become a powerful symbol of resistance. I discovered it at the Festival of African Books Paris, an annual event that showcases authors and publishers from Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider diaspora. It’s a wonderful space to discover books that are often overlooked by larger publishing houses, works created by people with a deeply personal connection to the stories they tell.
And your favorite book in your collection?
That’s a difficult question. My answer often depends on my current interests. At the moment, I find myself drawn to books related to fashion and visual culture. Two that I return to often are Camo by Thandiwe Muriu and Les robes d’Émilie by Imaniyé Dalila Daniel. Both explore identity through aesthetics, and highlight the creativity, symbolism, and cultural meaning embedded in clothing. They offer a powerful way to engage with how fashion reflects both Caribbean identity and the broader Black diaspora.
Best bargain you’ve found?
Honestly, exploring my family’s personal libraries during visits home has been one of the greatest treasures. Finding books they once read, such as works by Max Elisée, feels like completing a circle, connecting my own journey with theirs. And it comes at no cost, which makes it even more special.
