Join us for themed drinks and crafts at Skeleton Key Brewery and get your copy of A Court of Splintered Harmony!

We will have a bedazzling corner along with ACOTAR themed journaling kits and plenty of merch.

Special Gift: Preorder your copy of A Court of Forgotten Melody on this day, and save 15%!

This event is first come first serve. Copies of Book 6 are available while supplies last.

Ready to win a $30 gift card?

Bring your own pumpkin to decorate as you like!

Pumpkins will then be used to decorate the Prairie Path walkway of Downtown Lisle. The lucky winner of the pumpkin voted “Best Dressed” will receive a $30 gift card to Swallow Stories Bookshop!

Carving materials and markers will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own!

More cozy afternoons where you can put your mind to creative play!

Learn from Lucas, owner of Typewriter Chicago, how to create playful typewriter art, then stay for a craft junk journaling session with Jazlyn from the Chicagoland Journal Club, who will also be handing out free crafty goody bags!

No experience necessary, all materials provided.

Registration fee $20

Ready to introduce your kiddo to the game of Mahjong? 🀄️

Join Kristi Gorski of Social Moms of DuPage County for a fun introduction to American Mahjong designed especially for kids ages 6–12. Kristi will walk kids through the basics using a simplified Mahjong card, giving them a chance to learn the game, try out the tiles, and play with other kids in a fun, relaxed setting.

Please arrive at 5:45pm.

No previous Mahjong experience is needed! Parents are welcome to drop off or stay and observe.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required.

Tickets: $20/child

Register Now

Come in for a book bedazzle day!

Each registrant will receive their own bedazzle kit and can choose any book in store for 40% off to bedazzle!

Registration fee $20

The perfect fall reads are here!

The Wormhole

Zhang lives in paradise, thanks to a common household appliance: the fabricator. The fabricator prints whatever his flighty heart desires, from frankfurters to foie gras, rubbers to rubber ducks, cocaine to chemotherapy. Fueled by alien trees from the other side of the wormhole, the miraculous device has banished homelessness and poverty to the dark ages. Zhang, like the rest of humanity, doesn't care how his fabricator works so long as it does.

But when he's sent through the wormhole on a rote journalistic assignment, he accidentally uncovers a much bigger story. The fabricator is fueled by more than trees. His discovery sickens him; the cost of Earth's utopia is too high.

Atlas, the disfigured commandant of the other side, can't let Zhang go home to Earth. No one would use the fabricator if they knew its true nature. Billions of people, including his young daughter, depend on the fabricator for food, for shelter, for life-saving medicine. If Zhang dies, the secret is safe. If he escapes, he digs paradise's grave.

Haunted House: A Love Story

A beautiful house is cursed with the gift of life, it soon falls in love with its sole occupant, its own architect. Unfortunately for the house, the architect is oblivious to the house's sentience and finds forbidden romance with his doctor.

The house acts out in vengeance, setting off a tragic chain of events that ripple through the next century, entrapping a diverse assortment of couples each seeking their own romance.

As each pair of lovers grapples with their own romance, the house's grief warps their journey into horrific ends.

Dust off your riding gear!

We're hosting our very first release day party at Skeleton Key Brewery,

8102 Lemont Rd #300 Woodridge, IL 60517!

Get ready for merch, themed drinks, and some fun games!

Winner receives the new book, plus a gift basket with Fourth Wing goodies.

This is a FREE event. Books are available while supplies last.

Experiment in progress:

Can a watch party + craft night create maximum serotonin?

Join our Love Hypothesis Watch Party and help us test it.

Snacks, crafts, chaos, and a whole lot of bookish energy.

Hypothesis: You’ll have a great time.

Conclusion: You should come.

Event Details

Entry is $20 and seating is limited.

Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic blankets and pillows to create relaxed floor seating throughout the shop. Feel free to bring food and non‑alcoholic drinks — but popcorn will be available!

Optional Craft Stations

For those who want to add a creative twist to the afternoon, we’ll have optional craft stations available for an additional fee:

Love Hypothesis Collage Kits inspired by the book- would look great in a kindle case 🫢 $5

Book Bedazzling Kits for anyone who wants to give their favorite read a little sparkle- $10, or $5 with any book purchase at the store during the event.

Crafting is completely optional — join in if it feels fun, or simply settle in and enjoy the watch party.

Register Now

Looking to meet new friends in the stationery world? This is the time to do it!

We are expanding into the stationery territory here in Swallow Stories Bookshop and we want to meet you!This is a free event where you can mingle and trade the pens you have with like minded members.

Trading Disclaimer: Participants are solely responsible for evaluating the value, authenticity, and condition of the pens they choose to trade. Swallow Stories Bookshop does not appraise, verify, or guarantee the value or authenticity of any items exchanged and is not responsible for any disputes, losses, or dissatisfaction arising from trades made during the event. By participating, attendees acknowledge that all trades are voluntary and made at their own discretion.

Make A Friend. Make a trade at Swallow Stories Bookshop

Where Readers and Writers Meet.

It's 2008 and Lizi just can't catch a break. On the heels of a nasty divorce and a paltry settlement agreement--barely enough to reload her Starbucks card--Lizi is laid off from her job during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Flat broke, Lizi takes a job at Whole Foods where she meets Frankie, a twenty-seven-year-old artist half her age whose overly simplistic worldview is exactly what Lizi needs to get on with her life. But after an unfortunate incident involving her ex-husband, his pregnant girlfriend, and a carton of cage-free eggs, Lizi finds herself, once again, out of a job.

So what does a fifty-four-year-old woman with no money, no job, and no prospects do? She sells all her possessions and goes to Paris in search of her long-lost dream: to write her first novel. But when the airline loses her luggage and offers her a meal voucher for the famed Hotel Jolie, Lizi pounces on the opportunity while unwittingly setting off a chain of events which land her at the center of the notorious Harry Winston jewel heist. And when her young partner-in-crime joins her in Paris, the two must outrun the Serbian mafia while trying not to trip over the dead bodies left in their wake.

Lauren Johnson is an American author who believes that life begins at menopause—not conception.

Whether pre-, peri-, or postmenopausal, Lauren loves to write about women of any age: women who may stumble at first but ultimately learn to embrace life’s challenges. Her characters are quick-witted and fearless women who know how to kick ass and look great doing it. Regardless of where you fall on the menopausal spectrum, The Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective Series reminds us all that no matter what our age or circumstances, or what others may have to say about it, it’s never too late to be a midlife badass.

Lauren lives in Oak Park, Illinois with her three kitties: Bob Dylan, Jimmy Page, and Johnny Winter. “The Soufflé Also Rises” is her first novel.

Join us in celebrating the new release of The Baby Sitter’s Club Super Special: Baby-Sitters on Board!

For $45, your passenger will receive the new book, decorate sea shells, and get her hair done to theme!

Our owls are back!

On Friday, September 18th from 6:30PM-7:30PM, the Atwood Nature Center will be bringing in various birds of prey for you to see up close and personal. This event is family friendly and children under the age of 3 will not be charged.

Tickets

$25/person

Groups of four or more are $20/person. (Please call 630-706-1085 to register your group)

Seats are very limited, so register today!

This set of poetry books, Escaping the Library of Blank Slates series by Nikki Day, will take you down a path of self-discovery and focuses on a mindset of getting you to where you want to be. Sometimes we hit a point in life where we begin to will ourselves into looking at the world through a different lens - where we force ourselves to be resilient to the changes around us. It's this thought process that sparks a transformation. A New Plane follows the first volume of this collection, Train Wreck Cinema, as a cocoon is being developed in the second phases of an unintentional metamorphosis.

Nikki Day is a writer and musician with a PhD in molecular biology. After beginning her career in science and technology, she found herself searching for a deeper sense of purpose, turning to writing and music as a better way to understand her own story, while also creating a space for others to see themselves in. Her work is rooted in reflection, healing, nature, and storytelling. She released her debut poetry collection and album, Escaping the Library of Blank Slates, in 2026.

Pottery Workshop with Br. Kevin from St. Procopius Abbey!

Join us for another relaxing and creative pottery session hosted by Br. Kevin!
Choose from a cup, vase, bowl, or plate to decorate using vibrant, food-safe underglazes.

All finished pieces are hot-food safe. We recommend hand-washing and avoiding the microwave to preserve your artwork.

All materials are included — we’ll glaze and fire your piece for pickup the following week.

Prices: $25–$50, depending on your selected item.
Registration: $10 (applied toward your chosen piece).
Seats are limited — preregistration required.

Join us at Swallow Stories for our monthly crochet workshop.

In this class we will be making Kindle Sleeves!

This class is ideal for beginners looking to learn the basics and have fun creating.

Tickets are $20 and include your materials and instruction. Walk-ins are welcome!

Luke Lipien is an undergraduate honors student and researcher at Auburn University. He studies marine biology but has always been an avid writer. He is from Naperville, Illinois, where his favorite pastimes include eating Midwestern fast food and complaining about the weather. Luke identifies as queer and often includes queer identities and themes in his stories. Void Seeker is his debut novel. 

Preorder your copy to have it signed and personalized!

Void Seeker

Michael Bren is a thirteen-year-old Void Seeker; a boy who can see the dark creatures that roam a grim realm called the Void. He believes that he is the only Void Seeker in the world, and because of his unique powers, he leads a lonely, isolated life. His only friend, a strange and vocal Void Creature called Chloe, acts as his guardian angel and warns him from straying too far from his stale, suburban life. But after a failed attempt to reveal his powers to his parents, Michael runs away from home and gets captured by the mad scientist Doctor Manapart. Michael learns the reason for his capture when he meets Manapart's other test subjects, kids who can see the Void just like he can. He must team up with these other Void Seekers to escape Manapart's facility and get back home, but getting out might only be half the battle...

Author Annie Cathryn lives by the motto: Creating is living. She was thrilled when her debut novel, The Friendship Breakup, was selected as a Zibby’s pick for 2023, and received several accolades, including The BookFest® Award, the Best Midwest Regional Fiction IPPY Award, the National Indie Excellence Award, and the Book Excellence Award. Her sophomore novel, Eat the Cake, will be released on July 21, 2026.

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.

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy can be intimidating books for some. With lengthy genealogies, lists of laws, and stories both inspiring and heartbreaking, it's hard to know how these texts apply to our present lives. This devotional provides plain understanding of the Bible and shows what the Scriptures of the Torah mean for how God calls us to live.

Author Marci Walker Purtell holds a master's in counseling from Dallas Baptist University, and she served staff at a local church for twelve years. Her work as a sign language interpreter has also given her a passion for making God's love known to all people, giving her writing a warm, invitational quality.

These ancient stories are filled with so many wonderful applications to our lives today. With sixty-nine distinct devotions, this book features over two months of short studies-perfect for morning or evening readings. For fans of Ann Voskamp and Mary Jo Pierce, this delightful devotional book was written to help you walk more closely with God, with a deeper understanding of his heart for your life.

Marci Purtell holds a degree in Deaf Education from Texas Women’s University and a Master’s in counseling from Dallas Baptist University. After accepting Christ as her personal savior, she served on staff at a church for twelve years, developing a lifelong passion for God’s Word, which has offered her so much healing and growth. Marci is a certified ASL interpreter, an Executive Director in the communications industry, conference presenter,  leadership coach, and an avid blogger. She loves mentoring, scrapbooking, and observing the Sabbath. Marci lives in Hurst, Texas with her husband Vance. 

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: boogers.

From sticky mucus and snot rockets to secret booger museums, The Great Booger Book takes kids (and their parents) on a cheeky, rhyming, laugh-out-loud adventure through every possible fate of a booger. It’s groooooooooosss in the best way—and so damn smart.

Why Kids Love It
_______________

• Groooooooooosss… unapologetically icky, gross-out fun (with just enough slime and goo).

• Read it out loud. Perform it. Warning: kids will make you do voices.

• Brilliant, cheeky artwork packed with hidden details you can stare at for hours.

• “Read it again!” (and again) — the ultimate re-re-readable chaos machine.

Why Parents Love It
_________________

• Just as funny for adults — plenty of jokes land for parents, too.

• Sneaky learning — hygiene vibes wrapped in wild rhymes (with a wink at nose picking etiquette).

• Keeping it real, silly, and fun with diverse characters, and inclusive critters, like you.

• Gifts that get laughs — birthdays, gag gifts, stockings, and yes, a cheeky coffee-table conversation starter.

Perfect For
__________

• Bedtime read-alouds, classroom giggles, and show-and-tell.

• Kids who love silly, gross, high-energy picture books and delight in weird picture book humor.

• Parents, teachers, librarians, and anyone with a nose

Join us at Swallow Stories for our monthly crochet workshop.

This class is ideal for beginners looking to learn the basics and have fun creating.

🗓 Saturday, June 6th
⏰ 3:00 PM

Tickets are $20 and include your materials and instruction. Walk-ins are welcome! To register, please call 630-706-1085.

Lisle Downtown Businesses are coming together to host a special night!

Become the detective and solve the Case of the Missing Manuscript, Heist in Downtown Lisle.

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.

Registration and more information below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heist-in-downtown-lisle-the-case-of-the-missing-manuscript-tickets-1988648387861

Amy Skala Tischmann is a children’s author and founder of Red Birds Publishing, a heart-centered company dedicated to creating meaningful stories and helping others bring their own books to life.

Amy’s books focus on hope, love, and life’s special moments, offering comfort and inspiration to children and families. Through Red Birds Publishing, she also offers bookish gifts and keepsakes designed to celebrate memories and spark a love of reading. Amy is passionate about connecting with readers, supporting aspiring authors, and sharing stories that make a lasting impact.

On Saturday, May 2nd at 1pm, we will be making Book Bouquets!

Registration is $10 per person (limit one bouquet per registrant), and your fee goes toward the book you’ll use to build your bouquet.

Spots are limited due to materials—sign up now!

Call 630-706-1085 to reserve your spot.

Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 25, 2026

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with us at Swallow Stories — and for this day only, we’re opening early at 9:00 AM!

The first 10 guests through the door will receive a free audiobook as a special thank-you for shopping indie.

We’re also excited to welcome local author Markelle Grabo, who will be promoting her new release The Redwood Bargain and signing copies of her debut novel, Call Forth a Fox.

Plus, don’t miss our signature Mini Bookcase Experience — grab a mini bookcase and browse our collection of tiny books to build your own perfectly curated miniature shelf.

Join us for a day of exclusive giveaways, author meet-and-greets, and bookish fun as we celebrate the magic of independent bookstores and our incredible reading community.

For more information on Indie Bookstore Day and how to map out your Bookstore Crawl, please visit the following link.

Meet Emily Dunckle, author of the most amazing machine!

What’s the most amazing machine in the world?
Not a robot… not a rocket… not a train…it’s your brain!

The Most Amazing Machine is a fun, thoughtful picture book that helps kids understand how brains work—and how no two brains are exactly the same. With playful language and colorful illustrations, it celebrates minds of all kinds and shows kids that different doesn’t mean wrong… it means amazing.

Perfect for curious minds, classroom shelves, and families who love learning about what makes each of us wonderfully unique.

Emily is a former Corporate America professional who left that world to immerse herself with preschoolers and picture books. As someone involved in special education, and a neurodiverse mother to a child with disabilities, she is especially passionate about writing fun, accessible stories that delight and engage early childhood readers and families.

Try your hand at Micro Mosaics!

Our resident artist, Savas Arazbey will teach you the fundamentals of micro mosaic art—how to cut, shape, and place tiny pieces to recreate an image. Much like assembling a community puzzle, a reference picture will be laid out and Savas will guide participants through the process of fitting each piece into place.

Only four slots available!

The class requires advance registration and has a $70 registration fee.

To see more of Savas’s work, please visit:
https://www.napervilleartleague.com/savas-arazbey.html

Get ready for an epic adventure at Swallow Stories Bookshop! Join us for a hilarious, action-packed Scavenger Hunt celebrating the release of the all-new Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga!

Stop by the shop to grab your official Scavenger Hunt Scorecard, then begin your quest as you search for your favorite characters hidden throughout the store, Downtown Main Street, and Dragonfly Landing. Follow the clues, explore, and see if you can track them all down!

Be the first to complete your card and you’ll win a voucher for a FREE copy of the brand-new manga!

Didn’t finish first? No problem! All participants who complete their scorecard will receive 10% off all Kids and YA books, making it the perfect time to stock up on your next great read.

Bring your friends, your sense of adventure, and maybe even your cape—because this is one event you won’t want to miss!

Come meet Olivia Desmit, author of Edwin’s Perfect Gift and the new sequel, Edwin’s Spring Fever

DeSmit has been writing professionally for almost a decade, but recently ventured into the world of children’s books. Her book features a young rabbit named Edwin, who is classically hand-drawn loveable character who will take you along adventures in a cozy woodland settings. With a focus on intergenerational friendships, this animal tale is meant to not only delight young readers, but also encourage kindness toward older mice — er, people.

Welcome to paving new paths for Spring!

Like letter writing, we will be practicing a newbut old way to chronicle your day, your dreams and your life with paper journaling! Join Alice Paipa-Lenard in a Journaling workshop. Savor your experience: Learn about how journaling can bring you greater clarity, joy, resolution and inspiration Learn about different journal styles and purposes Practice and take home fun, exploratory prompts and methods for journaling, creativity, and self-expression for a new season and new way forward!

*Feel free to bring a journal and pen! If needed, items are available to purchase at the bookshop.

$10 per person
✨ All stationery included
🛍️ 10% off stationery kits during the workshop

To register, call 630-706-1085