Swallow Stories

Bookshop

Welcome to Swallow Stories Bookshop, your family owned bookstore in the heart of Downtown Lisle.
Within these shelves, books remain a constant: stepping stones across history and guardians of language. Once a story lands in your hands, you are free to consume it, savor it, and return to its unaltered pages as often as your heart desires. For as long as we consume stories, books will never become obsolete.

Upcoming Events

  • Heist in Downtown Lisle - The Case of the Missing Manuscript

    Thursday, June 4th

    5:00 PM-9:00 PM

    Step into intrigue, mystery and excitement to solve the Case of the Missing Manuscript, Heist in Downtown Lisle. It is an immersive mystery experience where guests become the detectives to solve The Case of the Missing Manuscript. The unforgettable event brings the community together for a night of suspense, collaboration and entertainment.

    RSVP

  • Crochet Class

    Saturday, June 6th

    3:00 PM-4:00 PM

    Join us at Swallow Stories for our monthly crochet workshop.

    Tickets are $20 and include your materials and instruction

    Call to Register

  • Author Signing with Aaron Adams

    Saturday, June 27th

    1:00-5:30PM

    Come meet Aaron Adams, author of The Great Booger Book: A Nosey Conundrum

    "GrrOOOoooSSss!!" — everyone

    Hilarious. Gross. Brilliant.
    This isn’t just a kids’ book—it’s a full-blown performance piece about the stickiest subject on earth: booger

  • Author Signing with Annie Cathryn

    Saturday, July 25th

    Eat the Cake

    Leah Wright tells people how to live for a living. Too bad she’s forgotten how to do it herself. When the widow and podcast host loses her cool on-air, her only hope for redemption is a surprise scavenger hunt in Florence designed by her late husband. Amidst the irises and ancient stone, Leah must follow a trail of clues—and mysterious deliveries—to find the one thing Elliot wanted her to have: a future without him.

    Preorder here

  • Downtown Lisle Car Show 2026

    Saturday, May 16th

    Saturday, June 20th

    Saturday, July 18th

    6:00PM-9:00PM

    Vintage Cars, Music, Food, and a Raffle!

  • Celebrate 2 Years with us! June 20th, 11:00AM-7:00PM

    Celebrate 2 Years with us!

    French Market: 8am-1pm

    Live Music: 11am-2pm

    Author Signing: 2pm-6pm

    Downtown Lisle Car show: 6pm-9PM

    Click Here

  • Stillman Nature center owl encounter

    Friday, June 26th

    6:30pm-8:30pm

    The Stillman Nature Center will be visiting with owls and other birds of prey for an up close encounter.

    Seats are limited!

    Tickets: $30/person

    Families of four or more: $25/person

    Call to Register

Join Our Bookclub!

Love reading? Join our book club for lively discussions, new friendships, and unforgettable literary journeys! Whether you're a bookworm or just starting your reading adventure, all are welcome!

Our group is consistently growing (yay!), so we ask that you RSVP a week in advance to ensure we have enough space.

Purchasing the book of the month through any platforms that support Swallow Stories Bookshop is required to participate.

Our Bookclub meets every third or fourth Sunday of the month at 5:00pm. Below are the upcoming dates and titles:

June 14th: Dog Person by Camille Pagán

July 19th : Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser

August 16th : BYOB-be ready to discuss a book you chose to read!

For our next visit, Camille Pagán will be joining us virtually! Please send any questions you would like to ask her to inquiry@swallowstoriesbookshop.com along with your RSVP.

A cartoon illustration of a pirate ship with black sails featuring a skull and crossbones, emerging from an open magic book with clouds and water around it, and cartoon palm trees.

Join us every first and third Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. for fun and engaging story time events at Swallow Stories Bookshop—where stories come to life and little readers are treated to surprise giveaways! From exclusive movie promos to themed goodies, we love making story time a magical experience for children and families.

Find more family friendly activities in our Events page

Story Time & Giveaways

A framed collage artwork of pink water lilies with green lily pads on a blue background.

Local Artist Spotlight

We proudly showcase the work of talented local artists right here at Swallow Stories Bookshop. From bookish accessories and handmade pottery to intricate micro mosaics, our curated collection brings creativity and craftsmanship to every shelf.

Our selection rotates regularly, so there's always something new to discover.
Stop by anytime to see what’s fresh and local—or check our Events Page for featured artist pop-ups and workshops!

Play chess amongst the pages at Swallow Stories Bookshop

Workshops & Tournaments

We believe in the power of literature to bring people together, which is why we host a variety of engaging events throughout the month. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on events like author signings, story time, book clubs, and even outdoor events like our motorcycle nights and other motoring events!

Register

Host an Event

Children's Corner fireplace at Swallow Stories Bookshop

Swallow Stories Bookshop is now offering the perfect venue for your private events! Whether it's a book club gathering, a small party, or a unique literary event, we provide a charming and cozy setting to make your occasion special.

Reach out to us with all of your event details on the contact page and let’s chat about creating a memorable experience for you and your guests!