The Green Dragon Bookshop in Fort Dodge. (Photos: Jessica O’Riley)
By Jessica O’Riley
When the Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour debuted in 2024, my bookish friend Nicole and I decided to try to hit all 36 participating bookstores. After several day-trips around the state and one long weekend trip in Eastern Iowa, where we visited more than a dozen stores, we managed to visit 32 bookshops in all.
When the tour rolled around last year with 45 participating shops, we decided we wanted more time to explore the towns instead of trying to hit all the locations. We selected some of our favorites and sprinkled in some new ones. This allowed us time to enjoy leisurely lunches, shop for popcorn and chocolates and admire some public art along the way. We spent a relaxing evening in Fort Madison having dinner on a riverfront patio, followed by reading in our rooms at the Kingsley Inn. Readerly bliss!
This year’s tour, running July 1 through Sept. 30, includes 64 (!) participating bookstores. Kudos to those who will hit them all, but Nicole and I will be employing last year’s strategy again. Here are a few of the shops on our list:
Favorites
HEA Book Boutique, Cedar Rapids. This romance-focused shop (HEA = happily ever after) moved from Marion to Cedar Rapids in January, so we’re excited to see the new space. In addition to every type of romance novel you could want, they also offer cute bookish gifts. We both snagged a “Bookish” pillow from this shop in tour Year One.
Green Dragon Bookshop, Fort Dodge. Owner CoriAnn Theroux is the mastermind behind the Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour and was recently named Bookseller of the Year by the Midwest Indie Bookstore Association. Her store is tiny, but it’s packed with loads of books, with a focus on fantasy. If that’s not your genre, there are plenty of other options, including stickers, pins, journals and more.
Night Owl Books, Humboldt. This town continues to surprise and delight us. Ages ago, we stumbled upon a bakery that served the most amazing stuffed peanut-butter cookies. (Sadly, it closed several years ago.) Last year, we stopped at the new bookstore and were smitten from the jump. It offers a nice selection of books, bookish puzzles, plus Iowa wine and beer.
New (to us)
Century Farm Books & Brews, Perry. Who wouldn’t want to stop at a place serving cocktails with names like Tequila Mockingbird, Ghost Writer and Carrie’s Bloody Mary? The menu also includes wine, cider, seltzers, beer, hot teas and non-alcoholic beverages — not to mention the shop’s books and related merchandise. Plus, two shop cats!
Shelf Love DSM, Des Moines. We’re looking forward to checking out this romance-focused shop in the Drake neighborhood located around the corner from Nos Books. Pro tip: Hit both and then enjoy some Dough Co Pizza.
I’ll Meet You There, Cedar Rapids. A bookstore with pastries? Yes, please! Started by two sisters as an homage to their mother, this shop in the historic Czech Village looks cozy as can be.
Contributing writer (and avid reader) Jessica O’Riley of Pleasant Hill worked for nearly 20 years with Travel Iowa, the state tourism office, after a previous stint with the Iowa State Fair.
