Today’s Spotlight on Bookstores is written by Julie from BookingMama (where BookingDaughter, BookingSon, and Booking PapPap sometimes get in on the blogging, too!). When Julie blogged about an author event at Aaron’s her enthusiasm leapt off the screen. Her essay here mentions how the owners support the local community; they support the online community, too; Aaron’s Books contributes to meaningful conversations on Twitter, and they donated prizes to the participants in our Game On Diet Challenge. If you don’t live near an indie, but you like to support them, consider visiting Aaron’s Books online. Julie drives an hour to visit, we can do it in a few clicks on the keyboard!
I think it’s just wonderful that Dawn has her “Spotlight on Bookstores” feature because it’s obvious to me that there are quite a few hidden treasures out there as far as bookstores go. A case in point: I recently discovered a wonderful bookstore called Aaron’s Books in historic downtown Lititz, PA. Even though Aaron’s Books is almost an hour from my home, I think it is so worth the trip!
Aaron’s Books has been around for over four years; however, it wasn’t until the past few months that I became familiar with the store and all of its offerings. I first became aware of Aarons when they hosted an author reading and book signing for Susan Gregg Gilmore, author of LOOKING FOR SALVATION AT THE DAIRY QUEEN back in June. When I stepped into this quaint shop, I immediately fell in love! It is just chock full of new and used books; and it really epitomizes what a small-town bookstore should be. It even smells just like a bookstore! I could get lost in there for hours just walking around and checking out all of the books and other things in the store; and, of course, I love discussing book recommendations with the owners.
Susan Gregg Gilmore
Aaron’s is a family owned and operated business – how refreshing is that in today’s society of huge retailers? The owners, Sam and Todd Dickinson, are two of the nicest and most helpful people that you’d ever want to meet! And if you’re lucky, you just might see Aaron himself. Aaron is Sam and Todd’s young son who was only 2 1/2 years old when the store opened. “He’s really grown up in the store, and of course he loves reading,” said Sam. “People around Lititz don’t always know my name, but everyone seems to know me as Aaron’s mom.”
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One of my favorite things about Aaron’s (besides their great selection of new and used books) is their back room which is especially designed for kids. It is just too cute — from the blue sky walls to the white picket fence to the train table and rocking chair. The children’s books are organized by category and in low laying bins so even the youngest readers can check out the selection. In fact, one of Aaron’s Books visions is “to encourage reading and a love of books for children of all ages and levels.” My thoughts exactly!
Like many independent bookstores, Aaron’s Books is very active in their local community. Sam and Todd helped to establish the popular even “Lovin’ Lititz Every 2nd” where all of the downtown businesses are open late the second Friday of each month; and the downtown area is full of music, food shopping and people. The store also hosts many free community events such as author signings, book clubs meetings, and a pre-schoolers’ story time. Aaron even started his own book group over the summer for young readers to discuss popular chapter books. In addition, Aaron’s hosts a “Family Fun Night” with live entertainment as well as crafts, games, snacks and discounts on purchases of children’s books.
Maryann McFadden
Of course, one thing that is near and dear to my heart is getting to meet authors; and Aaron’s has been giving me that opportunity on a regular basis. Over the past four years, Aaron’s Books has brought dozens of local, regional and national authors to Lititz. Besides Susan Gregg Gilmore’s visit in August, Aaron’s also hosted members of the Liar’s Club, a group of prominent Philadelphia-based writers that includes: Gregory Frost, Jonathan Maberry, William Lashner, Jon McGoran, Marie Lamba, and Kelly Simmons. And later that month, I attended an event with Mary Ann McFadden, author of THE RICHEST SEASON and SO HAPPY TOGETHER. The owners of Aaron’s Books intend to have more free community events and author signings in the coming months; and from November 13th to the 15th, Aaron’s will be hosting their very own First Annual Kid-Lit Festival. They are currently planning to have 15-20 authors and illustrators participate at different points during the weekend, with everyone together at a book signing on Saturday afternoon. Tentative authors include: Sandy Asher, Matt Phelan, A.S. King, Ken Munro, and Lisa Greenwald. My daughter and I can’t wait to attend!
I am so glad that Dawn allowed me to share my appreciation (and newfound love) for Aaron’s Books with her readers. I feel so fortunate to have found such a warm and inviting bookstore where I can spend time with others who share my love for books and reading. Aaron’s Books truly is a gem among bookstores in my local area!
Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share Aaron’s with all of your readers!
I “know” Aaron’s books from twitter, but the store is just a bit too far away from me (2+ hours) to visit on a regular basis. I do plan to make a point of getting there.
Oh — and AFTER BUYING books, visit the Wilbur chocolate factory and buy some Wilbur Buds. Pennsylvania: Great bookstores, great authors, and great chocolate.
Great review, and I also love the additional info from Beth F!!! And I have to say the prep for this piece is wonderful also. So enjoyed stopping in here today!
I’ve been hearing Julie gush about Aaron’s for a while, so I was thrilled to be able to get a peek inside the store. Great post!
I absolutely adore this series. I know how I feel when I discover these wonderful treasures that are becoming few and far between. We need to support them in full force! I almost feel like every time I travel, I need to get on this site and do a search, and make sure I’m not missing any little gems wherever I go!
Sometimes reading this series is frustrating … I hear about all these great bookstores in places far far from me. But this one is doable … this one is right near my grandma’s house and you can bet that we will be stopping by on our next visit — especially now that I know my son will have a great place to play!!!
And I love love love the story of how the bookstore was named. What a tribute to their son!
I love this feature! And I hope to visit Aaron’s someday. Thanks for pointing it out!
Such a wonderful children´s section! Lovely.
You’d think with me being in So. Calif that there would be TONS of indie shops and there are, but because Calif is such a large state it’s 30 miles or so for me to even get to one and 30 miles in L.A. Traffic speak can equate to 1.5 hours of travel time. Ouch! I so wish we had more in the way of indie shops.
Althlough our Barnes and Noble is pretty decent, much better than Borders (at least the one by me) it just doesn’t have the same feel that an indie store has.
Thanks so much to Julie for all the kind words. We love running a local, independent bookstore, and it’s wonderful to hear how much it means to other people.
It sounds wonderful! We’re pretty lacking in the indies around here…and what indies there are are pretty lacking in stock.
I love bookstores that “smell like a bookstore,” too — I know exactly what you mean. And the kids section sounds fabulous! Maryann McFadden and I have the same agent and were just emailing each other today — so nice of you to give her a shout-out!
I like to see bookstores that foster the love of reading in children. This one is right up my alley. Too bad I’m so far away.
So great to read this piece about Aaron’s Books. Such a nice write up! I couldn’t agree more, Aaron’s IS a treasure. When I and fellow members of the Philly Liars Club (Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, John McGoran and Donald Lafferty) came to the store in August to throw our “Liars Tell the Truth Party” (we throw parties for independent bookstores around the region to celebrate and publicize these special shops), we received the warmest of welcomes from the wonderful owners. This indy bookstore has the feel of a place you want to come back to over and over again. A place where you’d love to hang out and browse for hours. My brother came to the Liars party to see me (he’s about 40 minutes from Lititz), and left with a huge sack of new and used books he was thrilled to discover on the shelves. He’s looking forward to returning to Aaron’s soon. Me too!
Marie Lamba
WHAT I MEANT… (Random House YA)
http://www.marielamba.com
Wonderful spotlight! I would totally visit this bookstore. It’s named after my brother! Ok, not really, but I would totally go there just to see that playroom and meet those authors.
I wish there were bookstores like this near my house. Maybe there are, but I haven’t found them yet. That children’s area looks fantastic!
I have recently self-published my first children’s book, Johnny, The Story of a Doll. Aaron’s Book Store was wonderful to pick-up my book and arranged for a very successful signing. My book has sold well at Aaron’s. I am so happy they support local authors! Sue