Where It All Began: My Love Letter to Read Between the Lynes

July 22, 2025-My First Blog Post

Every bookstore lover has an origin story – that pivotal moment when they discovered what makes independent bookstores so magical, so essential, so utterly different from any other retail experience. Mine began nearly twenty years ago on Woodstock's Historic Square, when a fellow teacher friend casually suggested we check out the book club at a charming little bookstore called Read Between the Lynes. I had no idea that accepting a simple invitation and stepping through those doors would fundamentally change how I thought about books, community, and the vital role small businesses play in shaping the character of our towns and lives.

As a high school English teacher at the time, I was already a voracious reader – it came with the territory. But my book-buying habits were fairly predictable: quick trips to big box stores, efficient browsing of bestseller displays, the occasional special order if I needed something specific for class. It was transactional, anonymous, and perfectly adequate for my needs. Or so I thought.

A Different Kind of Bookstore Experience

Located at 111 Van Buren Street on Woodstock's picturesque square, Read Between the Lynes bills itself as "YOUR hometown bookstore," and from my very first visit, I understood they meant every word of that promise. Just 47 miles from Chicago, Woodstock maintains that perfect small-town charm with its Victorian architecture and historic town square that seems frozen in time, complete with a world-renowned Opera House (that I have performed in several times!) and the kind of gazebo that belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. The bookstore fits seamlessly into this storybook setting while serving as a vibrant, modern hub for literary community.

What struck me immediately during those early visits was how profoundly different this felt from the big box bookstores I'd always frequented. Here was a place that didn't just sell books – they created entire experiences around them. The space itself invited lingering, with cozy reading nooks and comfortable seating areas that seemed to whisper, "Stay awhile. Get lost in these pages." But it was the human element that truly set Read Between the Lynes apart.

Owner Arlene Lynes wasn't just friendly in that professional, customer-service way I was used to; she was genuinely interested in getting to know her customers as individuals. She had time for real conversation, asked thoughtful questions about what I'd been reading, and somehow always seemed to intuit exactly what I needed to read next – often books I'd never heard of but would end up loving. This wasn't upselling or inventory management; this was genuine passion for connecting readers with the perfect book.

I remember being amazed that if they didn't have something I was looking for, they could order it without making me feel like an inconvenience. But more often than not, I found myself leaving with books I hadn't planned to buy – recommendations that opened up entirely new genres and authors I would never have discovered on my own. My carefully curated reading list, built around curriculum needs and bestseller familiarity, began expanding in directions I hadn't anticipated.

A Literary Education

Today, the bookstore hosts an impressive six monthly book clubs, each with its own personality and devoted following: the Daytime Book Club for those who prefer afternoon literary discussions, the Evening Book Club for after-work readers, a Fantasy Book Club for genre enthusiasts, a History Book Club for those who love diving deep into the past, a Progressives Book Club for readers interested in social justice and political themes, and a Romance Book Club for lovers of love stories. This isn't just impressive programming – it is evidence of a bookstore that truly understands its community's diverse reading interests.

As someone who'd always been a voracious reader, I thought I knew books pretty well. But Read Between the Lynes opened my reading world in ways I never expected. Through their book clubs, I discovered authors whose names I'd never encountered, genres I'd previously dismissed, and perspectives that challenged my assumptions. The discussions are rich and varied, filled with insights from readers of different ages, backgrounds, and life experiences. To this day, I find myself looking forward to these gatherings not just for the books, but for the conversations and connections they foster.

The author events were particularly revelatory for someone who'd never experienced an independent bookstore before. Here was a place where actual writers came to share their work, where you could meet the people behind the books you loved, ask questions about their creative process, and get books signed by the hands that wrote them. It felt revolutionary compared to the anonymous shopping experience I was used to. These weren't celebrity appearances or marketing events – they were intimate conversations between writers and readers, facilitated by a bookstore that understood the magic of bringing these two groups together.

Growing Roots in Community

My daughter and I in November 2014 at the original RBTL location taking a picture for our Christmas card.

As the months and years passed, Read Between the Lynes became more than just where I bought books – it became woven into the fabric of my family's life. When my daughter was young, this bookstore became "our place" on the square. Everyone who worked there knew us both by name and watched her grow from a toddler who needed to be carried around the store to a young reader browsing the children's section independently.

The sense of safety and belonging this created was profound. If my daughter ever got lost while we were exploring downtown Woodstock, I knew exactly where to tell her to go. "Find Read Between the Lynes," I'd say. "They'll take care of you until I can get there." And they always did, welcoming her like family and keeping her entertained with books.

My daughter behind the desk at the original RBTL location-before it was her official first job!

During my book club meetings, she became a fixture in the children's section, settling in with her own books when she was little, then later with homework as she got older. She was completely at home in this literary sanctuary, treating it like an extension of our living room. The staff never made her feel like she was in the way or taking up space she didn't belong in. Instead, they watched her grow up, celebrating her reading milestones and school achievements as if she were their own family member.

This sense of extended family deepened over the years. Arlene became more than just a bookstore owner I admired – she became a genuine friend. We'd chat about books, certainly, but also about our families, our dreams, the challenges of running a small business, and the joys of watching a community grow and change. When my daughter was old enough for her first job, it felt natural that she would work at Read Between the Lynes' cafe during the holiday season, learning customer service and work ethic in a place that had been such a positive influence in her life.

Her official first job during the holiday season. This is part of the cafe in the new location.

The Heart of Small-Town Character

The store has since moved down the street from its original location – still firmly planted on the Historic Square, still serving as a vital organ in Woodstock's community body. The new space maintains all the charm and warmth of the original while offering even more room for their expanded selection of books, gifts, local products, and a cafe with delicious ice cream, chocolates, coffees and teas. They've grown and evolved while staying true to their core mission of being truly YOUR hometown bookstore.

Read Between the Lynes offers far more than their expertly curated selection of books across various genres. Walking through their doors, you'll find toys that spark imagination, locally made candy that tastes like childhood, coffee that fuels afternoon reading sessions, ice cream for summer treats, (The cookie dough ice cream is the absolute best I've ever tasted!) and gifts that capture the spirit of Woodstock itself. But more importantly than any of these products, you'll find story times for children that create the next generation of book lovers, wine and cheese celebrations that bring adults together over shared literary passions, sidewalk sales that make the whole square buzz with excitement, and a calendar consistently packed with author visits and community events that make Woodstock a destination for book lovers from far beyond our borders.

My mom supports the bookstore during the Lighting of the Square. One of the best traditions in Woodstock, and one of the busiest times for the small businesses on the Square! My mom is also quite a reader and shares that passion with me and her two granddaughters!

Their current programming continues to impress and evolve with the times. Recent and upcoming events include visits from authors like Richard Babcock, whose latest work "A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon" promises to be as compelling as his previous novels, and Charlie Donlea, returning with his latest thriller "Guess Again." They're celebrating Bookstore Romance Day with special events and displays, hosting charming story times both indoors under the tree in their shop and outdoors near the gazebo on the square (with weather-appropriate backup plans), and participating in community-wide celebrations like the annual "Where's Waldo?" hunt that turns the entire downtown into a giant game.

I'm visiting the bookstore with our foreign exchange student the morning of February 2, 2020, Groundhog Day. Another major celebration in Woodstock. It's probably just after 7 am here!

The Ripple Effect of Independent Bookstores

Twenty years later, I understand that Read Between the Lynes didn't just introduce me to great books or provide a convenient place to shop – it taught me about the irreplaceable value of independent bookstores and the critical importance of strong small businesses in maintaining the character and soul of places like Woodstock. When visitors come to our town for celebrations like Groundhog Day (yes, we're that Woodstock), the annual Lighting of the Square holiday celebration, or our various festivals throughout the year, it's businesses like Read Between the Lynes that make those celebrations truly special and memorable.

These aren't just economic engines, though they certainly contribute to our local economy. They're the keepers of community character, the places where neighbors become friends, where visitors feel welcomed rather than merely tolerated, where the unique personality of a place gets preserved and celebrated rather than homogenized into generic retail sameness. Read Between the Lynes has taught me to notice and appreciate these qualities in independent bookstores wherever I travel, to seek out the locally owned shops that reflect the character of their communities rather than defaulting to the familiar chains that could be anywhere.

The Birth of a Passion

This understanding has sparked a passion for discovering independent bookstores that has taken me far beyond Woodstock's borders. Each bookstore I visit now gets measured against the standard set by Read Between the Lynes – not in terms of size or inventory, but in terms of community connection, genuine care for customers, and the intangible sense of belonging they create. Some specialize in specific genres, others pride themselves on their café culture, still others focus on rare books or local authors. But the best ones all share certain qualities that I first learned to recognize and appreciate right here on the Historic Woodstock Square.

Every independent bookstore has its own personality, its own way of serving its community, its own story of how it came to be and why it matters. Some are run by former teachers who wanted to stay connected to books and learning. Others are passion projects by lifelong readers who decided to turn their love into their livelihood. Some have been family businesses for generations, while others are new ventures started by entrepreneurs who see the gap that big box stores and online shopping have left in their communities.

Arlene Lynes, RBTL owner, walks through the Woodstock Square with mascot Ophelia searching for Waldo!

Why This Blog Exists

This blog is a celebration of all these discoveries – my love for reading, my passion for travel, and my deep appreciation for the independent bookstores that make both of those interests richer and more meaningful. It's about the intersection of literature and place, the way a good bookstore can capture the essence of its location while connecting readers to ideas and stories from around the world.

As I explore independent bookstores across the country, from tiny mountain town shops to bustling urban literary centers, I carry with me the standard set by Read Between the Lynes: genuine community connection over transactional efficiency, thoughtful curation over maximum selection, and the deep understanding that bookstores are about so much more than retail transactions. They're about creating spaces where ideas can breathe, where serendipitous discoveries happen, where the love of reading gets passed from one generation to the next.

If you've made it this far-you likely have a favorite bookstore – that special place that feels like home the moment you walk through the door, where the staff knows your name and your reading preferences, where you've made unexpected friendships and discovered books that changed your perspective or introduced you to new ways of thinking about the world. Mine happens to be Read Between the Lynes on the Historic Woodstock Square, and I dedicate this blog to the magic they create every single day, and to all the other independent bookstores out there doing similar work in their own communities.

Because sometimes, the most transformative adventures begin not with grand travel plans or ambitious reading lists, but with a simple invitation from a friend to check out a book club at the little shop down the street. Sometimes the whole world opens up right in your own backyard, and you spend the rest of your life grateful for the person who first showed you where to look.

Read Between the Lynes

111 Van Buren Street, Woodstock, IL 60098

(815) 206-5967

readbetweenthelynes.com

Where community, books, and friendship intersect on the Historic Woodstock Square