Real Books

Jenn Mitchell

In this day of screens, isn’t it nice to hold a real book in your hands? I love technology, but books are special for me. I love giving them as Christmas gifts and taking them to new moms to help build their babies’ libraries. I can open a book and learn a language, cook a gourmet meal, or build a shelf. I can immerse myself in another time or place or person’s life. Books can be a window into anything.

It’s been a fantastic first two weeks at Our Town Books, and we have a lot of great things in store for you in the coming months. We are so grateful for all the community support and grateful to Jim & Sally Nurss for establishing an independent bookstore in Jacksonville. We’re happy to have the opportunity to carry on the traditions and bring some new ones to you. Thanks to all our friends and loyal customers for your faith in us.

Independent bookstores are a growing trend once again all over the country, and we are fortunate to have one here to serve Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Many communities have a used bookstore, which is a nice resource, but Our Town Books is a true independent bookstore, and we are the only one around here. Springfield doesn’t even have one. We carry brand new novels, New York Times bestsellers, a fine selection of classics, and myriad nonfiction books. Andy curates our Poets Corner and offers classic and contemporary options for verse lovers, and we have loyal customers who continue to recommend great Young Adult, Mystery, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy books. We have something in stock for almost everyone, and if we don’t have it, we will get it for you.

My favorite feature of Our Town Books is our children’s room. My nieces and nephews love to browse the books, play with the toys, and listen to stories there. We’ll continue to stock Newberry and Caldecott winners, favorite series like Wimpy Kid and Magic Treehouse, board books for your littlest ones, and Melissa & Doug toys. Your kids and grandkids are sure to enjoy a visit to the bookstore.

Another unique feature at Our Town Books is our used book selection which you’ll find intermingled with the new books in every section throughout the store. We stock a variety of good-quality used books at great prices, and you never know what bargains you’ll find. A great day to visit is Two Buck Tuesday when we have extra special gently-used books on display. Here’s a hint:  if you’re in the market for cookbooks, plan a visit soon because they’ll be gracing the Two Buck Tuesday table in the coming weeks.


Come in and say hello soon!

What I’m Reading:  “The Long Way Home,” a mystery by Louise Penny.

Share This

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *