Anthology for Books - Geneseo, IL

Anthology for Books, Geneseo, IL

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Anthology for Books has been open for almost 5 months and I don’t know how they could've got off to a better start.  It has been 20+ years since Geneseo had a bookstore and the enthusiasm for Anthology for Books has been off the charts since the day of the grand opening in August.  Co-owners Jim and Beth N. took in $8000 on that day and finally had to close because the inventory was depleted.  When I asked Jim how things are going since then his one word response was, “fantastic.”  This is clearly a community that is basking in the glow and happiness of a bookstore to call its own.  It’s not only a bookstore, but a safe space, a 3rd place, a space where all are welcomed.  Job well done Jim and Beth.  

The store is located in one of the prominent historic buildings and is the cornerstone of the downtown, Geneseo House, originally a hotel.  The two rooms of the store are very attractively arranged and offer all new books and a variety of sidelines including greeting cards, stickers, original artwork by local artists (including Jim), teas, and reading glasses to name a few.  Best of all are the “blind date with a book” promotions similar to what is found at other indies but taken to a whole new level.  A local librarian creates attractive “blind date” covers that are works of art and even include a small single-packet of tea as part of the cover.  Very creative.  

Recent events have included an in-store marriage proposal and a cinema night that attracted 28 patrons.  If you can’t visit in person order a book off of their website.  But if you don’t go in person you’ll miss out on Jim's excellent talent and knowledge for hand-selling just about any book.  

I especially liked how they curated their store before opening.  They asked future customers to tell them, 1) their favorite childhood book, 2) their favorite book to give as a gift, and 3) a favorite book that you’re disappointed if you don’t see it in the store.  I also like Jim’s strategy for the store hours and staying open until 6:00pm everyday.  As he said, all the other downtown businesses close at 5 so that gives some of those people a chance to visit the bookstore.

So yes, I think this is a great bookstore with terrific owners.  Don’t believe me?  Find local regular Sally E. who is absolutely gaga about this new business in Geneseo.  In fact, she’s so enthusiastic I’ll think of her as the unofficial president of the Anthology for Books fan club.  And I’ve got good news, Geneseo.  The Anthology for Books fan club has room for many more fans.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  Three Day Road, Joseph Boyden.  Two indigenous Canadians grow up as friends in rural Canada but then must report for service in WWI.  A really good story about native cultures and how they intersected with the trench warfare of WWI.  This is a very good historical fiction.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Kazuko: Sixth Grade in World War II Hiroshima, Kazuko Blake with Sandra Vega. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  After Oz, Gordon McAlpine.  Toto, A. J. Hackwith.

The beautiful historic building in downtown Geneseo, home of Anthology for Books. 

When you get inside these doors at the top of the steps, you'll see the bookstore entrance on your right. 

This movie is in black and white until you get to the bookstore door. 

Entryway to the bookstore. 

Before you get into the actual bookstore, this small room on the right is where local small businesses can have a one-month pop-up store.  On the day of my visit it was a pop-up for wool items crafted by a woman from a nearby farm. 

Some of the wool-crafted items.  Not only practical for winter weather but works of art.

Through the entryway and looking into the beautiful space of the bookstore.  Jim is at the checkout counter making a sale!

Looking to the right from the entrance.  That red wall was one of the few things Jim and Beth painted before moving into this space.  Below the painting is one of two non-functioning fireplaces in this large building. 

Immediately to the right is this wall of fiction organized as dark fiction. 

Just inside the entrance and to the left are some post-holiday bargains. 

Attractive wall display to the left of the entrance. 

This wall of books on the left is classified as the light fiction. 

A special chair for some of the stores' favorite customers. 

Proceeding through the store and looking into the second room. 

Even if you don't get anything for yourself, consider something for others. 

For those of us who need extra help reading, they've got you covered. 

Check out this collection of artistic photos, all captured by Jim. 

Throughout the store you can find original and unique works of art created by talented local artists. 

Just a few of the stickers available.

I've been to other bookstores that offer Hammond's chocolate bars and I really like them. 

Another angle looking into the second room. 

Immediately to the left in the second room you'll find the children's area. 

A variety of literary-themed teas. 

An excellent display of books for the "blind date with a book" promotion.  This picture really doesn't capture how beautiful these book covers are.

One of the blind date book covers.  Very cool. 

Want to find out more about the blind date book covers?  This is the person who makes them. 

A wonderful sitting area. 

This is a mirror behind the table book display.  This large mirror really makes the room look big. 

Jim is a big foodie so he can help you with the cook books. 

Unique and creative store merch. 

If you like to craft and you have a book-loving friend, check this out.  Create your own book spine cover. 

A few of the greeting cards available. 

If you see something at an indpendent bookstore and really like it, get it.  You're unlikely to find it elsewhere.  Like these cool book earrings. 

With Jim on the left, the fine co-owner at Anthology for Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Belleville Books - Belleville, IL

Belleville Books, Belleville, IL

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I’ve been on this journey now for about 10 years and over 600 bookstores so not surprisingly, I’ve had a few coincidental experiences.  One such experience happened here at Belleville Books, a newly opened indie in a historical downtown building not even three months old.  Steve M. and Rob E. are the co-owners here and within the first 5 minutes Rob reminded me that our paths had crossed at King’s English Bookstore in Salt Lake City.  Not sure how much we interacted then but I was astounded that he remembered I was there.  This was the stepping-off point at an excellent new bookstore that will soon have widespread recognition.  

I’ve been following Belleville Books ever since they opened, but let me tell you that book-thirsty Belleville customers have been following them long before that.  They started selling books successfully way before opening their doors, an excellent jump start for the business and increasing a growth in regulars by selling online. Steve and Rob were pestered for weeks about opening.  This town was finally going to have an independent bookstore and the community was ready.  Once they opened, the dam burst and the tide of business has not let up.  These owners have been overwhelmingly welcomed and as Rob said, so far everything they’ve tried has turned out pretty good.  The bookstore has the advantage of Rob and his years of bookstore experience at King’s English as well as Barnes & Noble making the store opening a smooth transition. 

The bookstore’s interior is my favorite part.  An old bank that required much renovation, especially with the store’s ceiling.  Excellent organization and spacing that offers new and used books, a wide variety of sidelines, and collectible and vintage editions.  Currently, they are taking used books only as donations but you will receive a coupon for a discounted store purchase.  Keep in mind you can also purchase books from them online, something that is off to a great start.  Some of their best sidelines are puzzles and stickers but I was really impressed with some of their store merch.  

Story time?  Yes.  Family story time?  Yes.  Events?  Yes.  Book clubs?  Yes.  Yoga?  Yes.  Wait, what? That’s right.  They have a perfect space for this event and heck, you might as well glance around for your next book while you’re there.  

I know many in Belleville already know about this terrific bookstore in downtown on Main St.  This store has big things ahead so beat the rush before the cat is totally out of the bag.  Your first visit here won’t be your last.  Congrats Rob, Steve, AND Belleville.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  All The Colors of The Dark, Chris Whitaker.  A popular high school girl escapes an abduction when she is rescued by Patch, a one-eyed kid.  Instead of the girl, Patch is abducted and is held hostage in a basement with no light whatsoever, trapped with a girl named Grace who he cannot see because of the darkness.  They eventually escape thanks to Patch's friend Saint, and Patch vows to find Grace wherever she is and find out what has happened.  This begins the long journey that spans decades and an obsession for Patch that follows him through adulthood, at the expense of everything else in his life.  At times nonsensical and the sentences were sometimes hard to understand, like they were missing something.  Also, a bit on the long side. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Nail's Crossing, Kris Lackey. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The I Wonder Bookstore, Shinsuke Yoshitake.  Kazuko: Sixth Grade in World War II Hiorshima, Kazuko Blake, with Sandra Vega.  Courage Is Calling, Ryan Holiday. 

The ancestor of the Belleville Books historic space. 

A stately and dignified store front. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

View looking to the right from the front entrance and behind the checkout counter. 

Looking to the left from the entrance.  Behind that green wall is a beautiful children's section. 

How many of the local customers know what became of this space after the bank?  One of the answers is this financial company you see on this souvenir plate. 

I love this word of the day but I'll always associate it with the name Helen. 

Take a few steps into the store and curl around to the left and you'll get this overview of the children's area. 

Rob is responsible for much of the creativity found throughout the store.  This one is in the children's section. 

This store has bargain buys for the kids. 

Very cool book ends. 

More events. 

An overview of the right side of the store. 

A very creative book tree.  Way to go Rob!

Just a few of the Lincoln books offered. 

I'm not sure I've been to a bookstore that has offered their own store fan. 

Looking across the store to the left side. 

Display and section of sports books underneath a top shelf of sidelines. 

Appropriate bookish gift boxes, perfect for a book lover. 

Beautiful table display of leather bound classics. 

The large, extremely heavy door that is open to allow you into the vault. 

Vault entrance, installed in 1912.  

Looking into the vault and to the left.  Excellent use of the vault space. 

In the back of the store and looking into a room on the right, the Regency Room. 

Find a wide selection of jewelry books in the Regency Room. 

In the very back of the building is this spacious area that could be used for many things.  For now, this is where they have yoga class. 

This large conference room is upstairs in the back of the building and another great space that offers flexibility for many things.  This is the perfect room for noisy book clubs!

Overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance. 

Large print books offered in bundles making them a great buy. 

With Rob in the center and Steve on the right, the two fine co-owners at Belleville Books.  Thanks for a great visit.