BurlingtonBytheBook

08/11/2026

Jefferson St Farmers Market is happening this Thursday and BurlingtonBytheBook will be host two great local authors for the event.

Michael Watchorn writes about his journey hiking through the Appalachian Trails showing a unique perspective through life in "Why? A Journey of Perseverance, Humility, and Growth."

The author recounts their Appalachian Trail thru-hike, a journey that challenged body, mind, and spirit. Through hard lessons of perseverance, the author achieved successes they never thought possible. The book vividly portrays emotional highs and lows, such as backpacking in torrential rain, winds, sleet, snow and ice. Experiencing breathtaking vistas to moments of doubt and triumph, to conquering the rugged ascent up Mount Katahdin.
The wilderness reshaped the authors perspective and inspired lasting personal growth and humility. This is a story about courage, healing, and the power of choosing to begin, offering readers a window into the transformative lessons learned while on the Appalachian Trail.

----------AND ----------

Zach Robertson has returned to promote the Sci-Fi Fantasy series - "What the Future Holds" and "Right Here- Right Now."

In the summer of 2024, John Marksman gets a job at Briddleville's most successful technology company known as "Techno-Logic, Co.", and meets an old secretary named Opal, a friendly marketing team member named Gerardo, and the boss of the company; Charlington Robertson.
However, the paint begins to chip away as a mystery unravels as to what is really happening behind the scenes of this company... and this city as a whole.
Follow this rag-tag team of misfits as they overcome challenges and put their minds to the test to piece together what is really happening in this city.
They say Hell takes many forms and darkness takes many shapes...
AND BRIDDLEVILLE IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM

08/10/2026

Back to school?
Well... not yet- but soon!

Make it a positive anticipation for the little ones with a new book - plus it means a little break for Mom & Dad.

08/06/2026

Amazing! Burlington, you are amazing!
We have been collecting donations for the Burlington Public Library, and BurlingtonBytheBook promises to match up to $100 each month for a year.
In July, our customers donated $205 in spare change and extra pocket money.

Five other local businesses have joined in to promote our local library, helping our community during budget cuts and economic support.
The following businesses have also agreed to match all donations up to $100. Together this means for July, the library gets $805 in New books. Each title was specifically requested by the library.

The Busted Cup on Jefferson
Big River Popcorn and Treats on Jefferson
The Broom Closet on Osborn Street
The Beancounter Coffeehouse on Jefferson
River Ridge Dental in Burlington

Thank you Burlington -for building a stronger community. 😀

08/04/2026

Just some of the great finds at BurlingtonBytheBook

08/04/2026

Book number two in the Russ Fry Mysteries by Bill Dowell is now available at BurlingtonBytheBook.

Author Bill Dowell will be signing copies of his books during this Thursday's Jefferson St Farmers Market along with fellow authors Russ Fry and Ned Fry.

08/04/2026

It's August and another month of special guest authors are appearing at BurlingtonBytheBook for Farmers Market.
It's more than just a chance to check out local authors, but if you've ever been curious about being an author yourself, it's a great opportunity to ask questions.

RUSS FRY
NED FRY
BILL DOWELL - August 6

MICHAEL WATCHORN Michael Watchorn
ZACH ROBERTSON - August 13

ADAM WHITLACH Adam J. Whitlatch - Author
HARLEY RAMSEY
BRET ROYER - August 20

JOY CLEVLAND - August 27

Nine talented self starters who have stories to tell.

Jefferson St Farmers Market Thursday evenings in Downtown Burlington, Iowa

08/03/2026

Ships Happening again!

Pick up a free souvenir postcard at Burlington By the Book on Monday August 3rd.

Reminder that there's a "vintage" children's story to go with it on the Burlington Iowa Storytime page along with many other free children's tales meant to promote all things Burlington Iowa. Little Burlington Books!

The books aren't real, but the fun is!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DBd4ExqPF/

Ship Happens

A Little Burlington Book
by Christopher Murphy
--------------------------------------------

It's morning in Burlington.

Sis popped into her little brother’s room before the sun even finished stretching. She shook his shoulder with a grin so big it practically turned on the lights.

“Wake up! Dad said it! Dad said Ship Happens!”

Brother blinked, groggy. “Ship… happens? Did he really say- Ship Happens?”

Sis nodded so hard her hair bounced. “Yes! He did say it. And you know what that means.”

Brother sat straight up, wide awake now. “Oh yes! It’s really happening! Let’s go -let’s get ready- because when it happens…it’s going to REALLY happen!”

----

They scrambled into clothes, zipped up shoes, and zoomed down the hall like two tiny tornadoes of excitement.

They burst into Dad’s room. “DADDY! When we get there, can we go to the popcorn place?”

Dad stretched and smiled. “That could happen.”

“And can we go to the bookstore?”
“That could happen too.”

“And can we go to the piano store and play ALL the pianos as loud as we can?”

Dad paused.“Oh… no… that's NOT gonna happen.”

“Then can we watch the nice man who plays the piano- play the piano?”

“That could happen.”

“Can we eat lunch downtown?”
“That’s definitely happening,” Dad said, patting his stomach.

“Ooo! And then can we go to the museum and look at the Iowa stuff?”

“That could happen,” Dad nodded.

“And then can we—”

“Now wait a minute,” Dad said, holding up a finger. “Don’t forget what’s happening. The reason we’re going downtown in the first place.”

The kids froze.They looked at each other. Then their eyes grew HUGE.

“Oh yeah… that’s right.”

They took a deep breath together.

And shouted—

SHIPS HAPPENING!

07/28/2026

Another opportunity to meet author LoriAnn Sproul this week during Farmers Market. Check out The Same Stars:

She thought freedom came with the verdict.
She was wrong.
A gunshot at Charlie’s bar rips open everything Laney tried to leave behind. The past she escaped isn’t finished with her—and neither is the man who nearly destroyed her.
Koblar “King” King was supposed to stay in that past too.
The boy who once protected her.
The man who left her behind without a trace.
He never planned to come back. But when he returns to town for an old friend's funeral, Laney’s life fractures again. And walking away isn’t an option for him.
Not this time.
As danger closes in and secrets surface, the connection between them refuses to stay buried.
Because some love doesn’t fade—it waits.
And this time, it may cost them everything.

07/25/2026

Mary has started the Rambling River Writers Group that will meet at the Public Burlington Public Library on the first Tuesday of every month starting September 1st from 3:30 to 5:00.
But today, she is at Burlington By the Book signing copies of her books that go into the people and events of her life.
Mary Badini Olson is a retired naturalist from the Midwest.
She is at the store until 3:00.