Enchanted Books - Quincy, IL

Enchanted Books, Quincy, IL

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As a former educator, I sometimes was required to issue progress reports for students.  That life is behind me now but it is still in my teacher DNA to issue progress reports to my BOOKSTORE students.  My progress report for Enchanted Books is a glowing A+ with a few extra plusses!  A very attractive interior that is neat and tidy with a capital 'T'.  Best of all, Enchanted Books is off to a rousing start in less than a year of business.  Congrats to owner Jen T. and Quincy.

The attractiveness of this store begins before you even enter the store with the large mural painted on the lengthy display window along Maine Ave.  Very impressive.  The beautiful interior is home to new and used books that are very well organized and shelved, many of them together.  The genre signs make it very clear what section you may be browsing.  There are a variety of sidelines that offer some great gift ideas including greeting cards, cakesickles, made locally (they look addictive!), micro puzzles, earrings, and stickers to name just a few (the stickers are so hot everywhere I feel like I should start selling them out of my house).  This business is in its 3rd version as a bookstore and was most recently Codex Books.  Jen bought the business, renamed it, tweaked it with her own touch, and moved it much closer to the central business district and within a block of the main square, an ideal location.  Jen has done an especially good job of improving on and expanding the children's section.  

I didn't get to meet Jen on this visit but the store was in excellent hands with Suanne S. who was equally kind and knowledgeable about books and recommendations, the perfect make-up for a talented bookseller.

After visiting a wonderful bookstore like this I'm always baffled when I hear that many in the community don't even know of its existence.  How can that be?  When you drive by on the busy Maine Ave you can't help but see the large storefront with "books" spelled out on the top.  Time to wake-up Quincy and discover an oasis of enchantment right under your noses.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Lightning Down, Tom Clavin.  The true story of WWII pilot Joe Moser who flew many European combat missions until he was shot down and taken prisoner.  He and many other allied airmen however weren't taken to a POW camp but a concentration camp, a big difference.  They escaped death many times until they were finally helped by a most unlikely source.  If you like WWII history, this is a must read.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Testament of Caspar Schultz, Jack Higgins. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr.  

I love this building.  There's no mystery about what you'll find inside. 

The length of this display window made it the perfect canvas for this creative art work.  Impressive. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Directly to the right from the front entrance. 

Display table of beach reads, clearly indicated. 

A few of the greeting cards offered, just inside the front entrance. 

The perfect place to sit and sample a book. 

Always check out the banned book displays. 

Excellent advice. 

Sample a seat and a book near the front of the store. 

How many of these bestsellers have you read?  Full disclosure, I haven't read any of these yet. 

Very nice display of new arrivals.  So easy to browse here. 

While you're browsing, consider a beverage. 

View along the wall on the right side of the store.  Also, a perfect table for a game of chess. 

I can remember when I only saw the "blind date with a book" promotions in a few stores.  Now I see it almost everywhere. 

Display of various genres and sidelines. 

Here's the bargain rack.  Very affordable. 

Various sidelines attractively arranged. 

View looking along the back wall of the store toward the children's section in that far corner. 

Overview of the store looking from back to front.

Partial view of the children's area. 

Another view of the children's area. 

I think kids will love this space. 

Many bookstores have the "Blind Date With a Book" promotion for adults.  Here at Enchanted, they also have it for kids. 

A bargain. 

One more overview of the store. 

Pick one of these up at the checkout counter.  They're made locally and they sound great. 

With Suanne, one of the fine booksellers at Enchanted Books.  Thanks for a great visit.