COVID-19 fight update:
We are open for indoor sitting and sipping (and shopping, of course) with increased capacity allowance!
Congratulations and thanks to all of you who are fully vaccinated. This has made a big difference in the fight.
HOWEVER, the State of Illinois has been experiencing a surge in positive cases and hospital utilization.
As of 30 August 2021, all patrons, whether fully vaccinated or not, and including children older than age 2 must cover nose and mouth when not seated and eating or drinking.
(If you must shout at your adjoining table, put your mask on!)
Please do not be offended when we ask you to have a mask. We will respect your decision to leave the premises if you do not want to "mask up" to help all of us stay safe and stay open.
Books on First notice on Live Music!:
Books on First is not a live music venue. Since March 2020 with the first pandemic shutdown of non-essential businesses, Books on First had ceased to host any live music. In June 2020, when Governor Pritzker, following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and the State of Illinois Post-Pandemic Restoration Plan, eased the isolation/shutdown order to allow outdoor dining and gathering, as a community service, we began to allow local musicians to use our West Wing stoop and electricity to entertain Downtown Dixon. Both the musicians and visitors to our beautiful Downtown were craving face-to-face interaction and Books on First was proud to assist. If the weather was foul, the music live from the "Stoop" was canceled. Some musicians, since they were already ready to play, wanted to practice inside with their face masks on. To this day, when they request our accommodation, musicians who ask to practice inside, do so for the listening pleasure only of our customers who come in to browse or enjoy a beverage, a treat and the wisdom & company of other patrons. (Of course, it is only courteous at least to applaud if not to give the musicians a cuppa or a small tip.) This indoor music is not open to the general public like our "Fair Weather Stoop Music" is, and we ask that patrons entering Books on First respect and follow our COVID-19 policies which comply with all current CDC guidelines and Lee County Health Dept regulations, including covering of nose & mouth when inside, no parties of 10+ and physical distancing of different parties at least 6' apart. IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER, FOLKS.
Thank you for helping keep the entire community safe and Books on First open for your reading, refreshment, relaxation and self-restoration needs.
We welcome back Lowell Harp to Books on First as he performs for our customers' listening pleasure! Swing on by and pick up a cafe item and a book to take home for the weekend!
Oh, no, say it ain't so!
But there is an alternative before you try the website that got its start selling books and now has downgraded books in its priority list (below floor sealant!)
Thank you for your support!
For those of you not interested in ordering from that largest river in South America that rivals the Mississippi and the Nile, but BoF is out of stock at the warehouse, try our new affiliate, Bookshop, started by a Columbia University MFA who just wants to help the Indies out a bit while being able to put a meal on the table for himself and others.
Books on First
Our Instagram handle is @bookson1st 
We have Gift Cards. Get one to fit every reader's tastes., except the purchase of e-books online.
You can still buy titles in other formats (hardcover, paperback, audio CDs) with a Books on First gift card as well as buy a Books on First giftcard which we will send especially to that lucky recipient (free postage!).
AND AS 
ABANDONED OUR INDIE eBOOK PARTNERSHIP A LONG TIME AGO, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW AFFILIATION WITH Hummingbird!
See more on our lovepop page, but even more at our bricks-n-mortar location!
More than a card.
More value than many other store-bought surprises (except a book!)
Put a 3D paper sculpture in a loved one's hands and see the spontaneous delight.
That's a lovepop.
And introducing Stickerpops! featuring Monarch Butterfly (5 to a pack for only $13!)
For Sale at Books on First
From Tim Benedict's Orion Artisinal Honey & Garlic Farm
HONEY from Tim's BEES flying around FRANKLIN GROVE, IL
Two types of honey now available in beautiful 12-oz jars:
Prairie Wildflowers -- unadulterally whatever the bees are inclined to like and Echinaea -- from Tim's special stash
It's been said that local honey is great for warding off bad germs and aiding in the relief of sinus/breathing difficulties. Regardless, it tastes great!
And What a Great Gift Idea!
Stock Up Now!
We are always delighted when someone sees a movie in the book, because now, millions of more people know about the book! It might have been a great film or it might have been a total dud.
But, read the book yourself to see just how good or different the original is!
When is a Search not a Search?
When it's a Find!
Serendity is the word of the day.
Seek (a book by topic) and ye shall find!
