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    Books On The Square

    5.0 (1 review)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    Old Book Barn

    Old Book Barn

    3.7
    (15 reviews)
    38.0 mi
    $

    My husband and I had read an adulatory article about the store and the many thousands of books…read morethere, so we traveled up from St. Louis to take a look. The thousands of books were there, all right, but in a building that smells overwhelmingly of mold. I don't know whether it's from a roof leak or a flood, or whether they have just bought a lot of smelly books, but my husband and I both stank of mold even after we left, and I was coughing. I didn't find much of a selection of unusual or uncommon books to tempt me, and the layout of the place is very strange. I couldn't find mystery books for over ten minutes. They were hidden away in a corner, and given far less prominence than romance or inspirational books. Even if I found out that the mold problem had been solved, it's not likely we would return.

    Don't let any negative reviews steer you away from this place, it's great!!! I was in-town…read moreovernight, and specifically looking for guitar tablature books. While they didn't have much, I did find their music section, and got a great book on the old ACE Records label. However, the best part of the experience was Lori, the owner (I believe). She was SO HELPFUL!!! I asked about her usual stock, and she was totally willing to have an in-depth conversation with me about various subjects. Also, when I went to check out, and told her that I was in town for a concert, she reached into a drawer, and pulled out an information sheet recommending restaurants for dinner, breakfast and coffee places. She even gave me some of her own, and some advice on where else to look for good used books!! Other than the concert itself, it was the highlight of my trip there. Thank you Lori!!!

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    Lit on Fire Books

    Lit on Fire Books

    4.9
    (7 reviews)
    62.1 mi
    $$

    Beautifully laid out bookstore hosting a forward thinking selection of charged topics, mostly…read morebiased in a predictable direction, what we expected; the main room clean and inviting for the open mind. Got myself tickled surprised stumbling upon a new comic book styled adaptation of The Hobbit, didn't purchase, now I regret even for a pricer new edition. Very much there had been more celebration of literature's full magic, iconic authors, celebrated series, unique publishers, instead of just a couple main topics. Noticed the solo staff quietly holding down the side room at the back corner checkout, oddly not near the entry. The second oddity was a bewildering array of invisible god replacements: fortune telling, card reading, and general assortment of materials bent on using the star charts and crystal as religion. Always amusing to see attempts made to replace a simple prayer and book based church, that's remained unaltered for four thousand years, the endless chaos of frantic scrabbling at palm lines, tea leaves, and incense doesn't go along with the rest of the progressive socially cared for collection here. However I understand how quickly the mind starts to make up its own sense of self with the easiest options at hand not necessarily the ones that will last or prove worthwhile.

    Lit on Fire Books is hands-down my favorite bookstore in Peoria! It's a hidden gem of a place with…read morean amazing collection of books that always seems to have exactly what I need -- or introduces me to something I didn't know I needed. The selection is wonderfully curated, and the store has a welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay for hours. The owner is absolutely fantastic--knowledgeable, friendly, and incredibly accommodating.

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    Lit on Fire Books
    Lit on Fire Books
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    Books On The Square - usedbooks - Updated June 2026

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