Cold Nights, Cozy Pages
As the weather plunges into the icy grip of winter, the wind howls through barren branches, and daylight slips away earlier and earlier with each evening. It is a season that invites us to stay indoors, to find comfort in a warm blanket, and to find joy in the confines of home. What better way to embrace the season than by falling in love with books again?
This holiday season, Galesburg's Wordsmith Bookshoppe owner, Teri Rene' Parks, offers a gentle reminder to us all: a book is not just a gift, but a gateway. For those who are struggling to rekindle their fondness for the written word, Teri suggests "start with something simple to read or try a new genre… and if you are still struggling to read, visit your local bookstore. Booksellers like nothing more than to talk books, and their enthusiasm is contagious."
She shares: "My favorite way to get over a reading slump is to pick out a young reader book. They are usually faster to read and help to bring back that nostalgic feeling of why you loved to read in the first place."
Reading provides a reprieve from the screen-heavy routines of modern life and the endless depths of social media—books remind us to slow down. They help us connect with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. Books are troves of knowledge, ideas, recipes, adventure, love, and heartbreak of worlds past, worlds unknown to us, and worlds yet to come.
When searching for your next book, start right here in Forgottonia. Dive into Reflecting Pool, a gripping thriller by local author Jim Courter, or spark a young reader's imagination with Ketra Simpson's enchanting children's book, What's in the Jungle? Both are perfect picks that connect you to the creative talent of McDonough and Knox Counties (find more details in each county's section).
And when you choose your next great read, where you buy it matters. Shopping at local businesses like Wordsmith Bookshoppe not only supports authors but also keeps dollars circulating within the community, creates jobs, and preserves the unique character of our towns. Don't see what you're looking for? Local bookstores can order just about any title for you, giving you the convenience of online shopping with the added bonus of supporting your neighbors.
If online shopping is more your style, check out Bookshop.org—a platform that makes supporting independent bookstores easier than ever. With every purchase, a portion goes directly to your chosen local shop, plus 10% contributes to a community fund that has raised over $36 million for independent bookstores since 2020.
This holiday season, give the gift of stories. Visit your local bookstore and explore the shelves with loved ones. No matter the genre, a book is a gift and a gateway to something greater.