"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food..."

-Erasmus

We have both books & nectar of the gods ... coffee! Along with the best conversation no money can buy - Come in today and enjoy us live & in person.

Oh, No! No Inventory Update

UPDATE on updating our in-store inventory, so that you can see online just what we have or can get for you:
Our work-around is sporadic at best and what you see as "in stock" may not be and vice versa.
The only reliable information is that if the status is: "hard to get," that book really is hard to get!
Please give us a call 815-285-2665 or write us chin@booksonfirst.com if you need additional help.
We thank you for your patience.

Buy Local About Local

We have an amazing selection of titles on area historical events, nature, sports and people.

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Upcoming Events

Live Music: Preston Estes

02/16/2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Children's Writing Workshop

02/23/2019 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Live Music: Andrew Robinson

02/23/2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Live Music: Tom Padilla

03/02/2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Live Music: Todd Lorenc

03/09/2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

more

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Books on First

Books on First Giftcards

Gift Card

The world is everchanging and sometimes, not for the better, unfortunately. With the new eBook partnership, Books on First and IndieCommerce regret to announce that customers are unable to use your Books on First giftcards to buy ebooks 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!) who can use it with us online (for everything but ebooks) and in-store.

Come in today for printed bound books, yes!, but also coffee & treats, Candles for SMA by Lisa Wood, Global Girlfriend handmade crafts, greeting cards from Charlie Kerr, Avanti and others, Melissa & Doug wooden toys & more -- the list goes on! Hope to see you soon!

Proud Member

Read our Weblog!

We Now Have Lovepops - Always Unexpected Joy

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.

Tim's Bees Have Been Busy and the Honey is Back! And, We Now Have Garlic for Sale, Too!

For Sale at Books on First
From Tim Benedict's Orion Artisinal Honey & Garlic Farm

HONEY from BEES flying around FRANKLIN GROVE, IL
Two Sizes of Beautiful Glass Jars (Larger comes with Wooden Honey Dipper!)
What a Great Gift Idea!

And for the cooks (and vampire slayers), we now have Tim's small-batch heirloom garlic.
Four varieties, get one each in a net bag for only $4!

Honey & Garlic Both Great for Warding Off Those Bad Germs

Based on the Book ...

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!