"This is not reality, it's a bookstore." - Nialle

In honor of our late investor, business advisor, proud promoter, and beloved grandfather, William Weldon Woods (d. 22 April 2009), and his father, Weldon William Woods (d. 16 Jan, 1991), mentor and friend, we will be naming the room containing antiquarian and rare books and books about Iowa "Weldon's Room." Both men farmed at Maple Knoll in Cedar County, Iowa, which has been in the family for over 150 years, and both encouraged Nialle in her education; Bill Woods was enormously supportive of Nialle's purchase and management of the Haunted Bookshop, and we guess he understood that while Nialle is inept at growing even cherry tomatoes, the seeds of curiosity and literacy, well tended, can fruit as bountifully as a field of good Iowan earth.

We just went on a huge buying binge. Come see all our wonderful new toys!

National Book Critics Circle Award Winners 2008

Best Novel was awarded to the late Roberto Bolaño for his novel 2666.

The Poetry Prize was awarded to Juan Felipe Herrera for Half the World in Light.

Welcome to our new house! We now have over 40,000 books and almost twice the space - come see what's changed (taller bookcases and tons of new toys) and what's the same (Logan, for example, still really desperately needs your attention).

We've moved!

Volumes of thanks to the volunteers who chipped in a half hour here or (in the case of some, like D) two weeks there. I couldn't have done it without you; you know that; but in case I haven't mentioned it enough, can I also say that you did an incredible job? The place looks great! I wish there were some wa...y I could tape all the compliments the store gets so that you could hear all your hard-earned praise.

What's next? Well, the Ghosts and I are still unpacking (!) for now, but I have placed some new toy orders. Look for new action figures, glow-in-the-dark zombies, and tons of new puppets in the next two weeks, with more board and card games coming soon thereafter!

We still need volunteers, 10am-whenever, to help move the bookshop into its new home. Volunteers can help unpack boxes, move bookcases, carry loads, organize their favorite sections, and more... come to our new location and check in with Nialle! We could REALLY use a truck or large van, too.

Big News for Iowa City

Iowa City has been named the 3rd City of Literature in the world by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), following Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia.

According to UNESCO, "this University town’s unique profile as a creative writing and reading centre with impressive history of literary accomplishments. The community’s strategic commitment to literary culture through the diversity of grassroots initiatives, such as the Iowa’s Writers Workshop and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, was highly regarded as an instructional model and inspiration for other small cities to promote local economic and socio-cultural development through creative industries."

Congratulations to our city!