Bookshop on the Square

08/15/2026

August is Read a Romance Month! (Say less!) We have 175+ titles that are 15% off (say more!) with code RAR26. (Say no more — we're shopping!) Find adult and YA, romantasy, LGBTQIA+, historical... Check it out! ⤵️

08/12/2026

Answer to FAQ: No, we don't plan to hire additional help this fall — but these local places are hiring now! Find more info on their pages:
3R² Coffee & Events
3Ravens Food&Spirits
Allerton Park and Retreat Center
Sage City Market
Willow Tree Missions

08/10/2026

If you read e-books, you can get local author Kat Ryan's first book FOR FREE today! Want print copies? We have the whole series right here for you! 😁 https://bookshop.org/lists/visit-highland-falls-a-small-town-romance-series-by-indie-author-kat-ryan

Head on over to romancebookworms.com today for over 1300 free ebooks, including my first book - Coming Home. Happy reading! 🥰

08/10/2026

This Thursday at KayBee Community Cafe! No reservation required. 😊

08/09/2026

08/07/2026

Our in-person* debut is in just a couple of weeks at Kirby Auxiliary's MARKET ON THE PRAIRIE!! Check out (and share 🙏) the event here: https://facebook.com/events/s/kirby-auxililary-market-on-the/1458726988899270/

*Oh, you didn't know that we're already up and running online? Books, ebooks, audiobooks — get 'em here to support us while we're renovating! BookshopOnTheSquare.com

ANOTHER "X" ON THE AUGUST CALENDAR
17 DAYS UNTIL Kirby Auxililary Market on the Prairie
🗓 AUGUST 22, 2026 - 1 DAY EVENT
⏰9AM - 3PM - Moon Bean Coffee and Bistro To Go Food Truck will arrive early to serve you some breakfast drink and food.
📍 KMC Active - 951 MEDICAL CENTER DR., MONTICELLO, IL
🅿 Kirby Medical Center - 🆓FREE PARKING
♿HANDICAP PARKING - LIMITED AT KMC Active Lot
🆓 FREE ENTRANCE

Meet our next Featured Vendors:
🌅Glorifying Signs & Designs - My name is Amber. When I started my business, it wasn’t just about creating crafts—it was about finding a creative outlet that would help me through some of life’s toughest challenges. I invite you to come to my booth and see my new Badge Reels, Key Chains, Beaded Wristlets, Bookmarks, Oyster Shell Trinket Dishes. This business is more than crafts…it’s a story of resilience, creativity, community, and finding joy even on the hard days.
📖Bookshop on the Square - Coming this Fall in downtown Monticello, is making their debut at the Market! They will feature their Blind Date with a Book (Blind Playdate for the younger crowd) — wrapped and swagged books that let you choose based on vibes, without judging the covers. A fun surprise for you or a great gift! They'll also have other books to browse and some surprise local art to check out. Blind Date with a Book, handpicked, wrapped, and decorated books from popular genres and authors, paired with descriptions to help you pick your next favorite read or the perfect ready-to-go gift!
👨‍🍳Bistro To Go Food Truck - Chef Scott is the Culinary Coordinator in the Culinary Arts Institute at Richland Community College. He is also the instructor in the student run restaurant, Bistro Five Thirty Seven and the Bistro to Go Food Truck. His menu will feature 7 varieties of Cheese Toasties, served with French fries & 7 mouthwatering Mac & Cheese Bowls. French Fries, Loaded Fries, Cheese Curds and Broccoli Salad are the Sides that are sure to fill your hunger.

07/30/2026

One of the easiest ways to support us is now LIVE — get your audiobooks from us through Libro.fm! ⤵️

If you haven't tried audiobooks yet, now's your chance! We've *doubled* the number of books we read per year by listening while driving, walking the dog, doing the dishes, etc. And new subscribers can get bonus credits by using the code SWITCH! Check it out! ⤵️

07/27/2026

😁

Kirby Auxililary Market on the Prairie is approaching very fast and is 27 days away. Finally, the Vendor Layout for Indoor and Outdoor Vendors & Food Trucks is complete. New this year, is more Outdoor Vendors, some in trailers and some with pop up tents.
🆓 Free Admission
🅿 Free Parking at Kirby Medical Center , a few Handicap spots will be available at the Therapy and KMC Active parking lot.
🎁3 - Raffle Baskets donated by our vendors, draw times are: 11am, 1 pm and 3 pm
🚚Food Trucks
🍨Home-made Ice Cream made on location
📻Local Radio Station

07/20/2026

Thanks to Jana Wiersema and The News-Gazette for this write-up about the new bookstore! Read the whole article online ⤵️

07/13/2026

One of the renovations we're working on at the bookshop — an accessible entryway. It's costly and complicated, but it's a project that's near and dear to our hearts. We want people to *feel* the welcome, including people who use mobility aids or push strollers or use wheeled shopping bags (books get heavy!). What an awesome project this is for our neighboring block to the west but also for all of our downtown business owners and shoppers — TEN businesses updated for accessibility!! And we know it's going to look great, just like the updates on the south side of that block look great. Can't wait!!

Please take a minute to sign the petition to support this project and your downtown community!

Love Downtown Monticello? Here's your chance to show it!

We're working on something HUGE that's been waiting for years to happen, but we need your help! The City is pursuing a grant to support proposed improvements to the north side of the 200 block of W. Washington that would make 10 storefronts and the sidewalk more accessible? That's right... TEN! 🤯 It will be our biggest project in a LONG time...
(In other words... it will be improved like the remainder of the square... projects that started over 20 years ago!)

If you support a more welcoming, walkable, and accessible downtown, sign the petition and help show your support!

Want to learn more about the project? Visit the City of Monticello's website for all the details.

Together, we can help make downtown even better—for everyone. 💙

https://form.jotform.com/261753559509165 to sign the online petition!