About Brandy

Brandy Rose Apostol is an entrepreneur and culture-builder who believes books shape nations and that America’s future depends on the ideas we choose to elevate. For nine years, she built So Booked Up into the largest in-person book club, proving that thoughtful conversation, strong communities, and shared values still matter in an increasingly disconnected world.

A third-generation Floridian on her father’s side and half Cuban on her mother’s, Brandy’s identity is deeply shaped by both heritage and place. Growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida,
she developed an early appreciation for civic life, community, and the freedoms that define the American experience.

Brandy’s interest in civic life began early. When she pre-registered to vote at Palm Beach Gardens High School at the age of 16, she recalls a teacher telling her, “If you want to help people, you register Democrat. If you want to help yourself, you register Republican.” Wanting to help others and not yet fully understanding the philosophical differences between political parties, she followed that advice. She later participated in the College Democrats while attending Florida Atlantic University.

As she grew older, more informed, and more grounded in her values, Brandy took a closer look at what each party truly stood for. Her perspective evolved. She changed her registration first to Independent and later to Republican, aligning her civic identity with her beliefs in faith, freedom, personal responsibility, and patriotism.

Brandy’s love of country is also rooted in family history. She is a direct descendant of William Guthrie, who served as a Captain in Pennsylvania during the American Revolutionary War. His service and sacrifice helped secure American independence, a legacy that continues to shape Brandy’s reverence for liberty, constitutional principles, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Rooted in a deep love of America and the principles that made it exceptional, Brandy founded The Right Book Club to restore substance, courage, and conviction to the cultural conversation. She believes literature is one of the most powerful tools for preserving a nation’s values and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Through curated books and high-impact events, Brandy creates spaces for bold ideas, meaningful dialogue, and authors unafraid to challenge the status quo. Her work is driven by a simple conviction: culture is shaped intentionally, and a nation that reads, thinks, and engages with purpose remains strong.