Town House in autumn

View our photo album and see some familiar faces

About Town House Books
We are an independent bookstore for all ages, with a friendly knowledgeable staff located in historic Century Corners in downtown St. Charles, Illinois. The uniqueness and ambiance of the bookstore, which opened its doors in 1974, carry over into the Town House Café, featuring a menu of fresh-from-scratch soups and creative sandwiches. Our back courtyard is open for lunch every day, weather permitting! In addition we have tables set up outside in front of the bookstore that are available for self service... a perfect spot to sit and enjoy your morning paper with coffee or an afternoon iced tea & sandwich.

Signed Books Available Now!
for Patricia Toht Children's Books

Thanks to everyone who made our booksigning with Patty such a fun event! We have signed copies of all of her books available while supplies last. Come by the store soon before Halloween to pick up a copy of PICK A PUMPKIN or get an early start on Christmas by stocking up on her other wonderful books.

Patricia Toht is a local children’s author and poet, blogger, and middle school library associate. She once owned a children’s bookstore and loved connecting readers with great books. After the store shuttered its doors, she led story times for preschoolers, assisted author and illustrator visits to schools, and worked in a public library.

Her latest children's book is PICK A PUMPKIN, a joyful, energetic celebration of a Halloween tradition. Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations (by Jarvis), the book captures all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.

Her previous picture books include:

• DRESS LIKE A GIRL where a diverse cast of slumber party participants considers the most time-honored traditions for how to dress

• PICK A PINE TREE, that celebrates the holiday tradition of turning a pine tree into a Christmas wonder

• ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS, her debut picture book, where a series of child-friendly poems follows a family of four as they spend a day visiting sights and experiencing all that makes London a vibrant and wonderful city..

Personal Shopping Available
Books make the perfect gift and we can help you pick the right book for every age person. Let our knowledgeable staff do the work and, as always, we provide complimentary gift wrapping!

Can't Find A Book?
To inquire about a book, please email us at thb105@gmail.com.

Town House Giving Tuesday
We will be continuing this program as "Town House Giving Tuesdays" throughout the year. On the first Tuesday of each month, Town House will donate 20% of all sales to a different local charity. Thank you in advance for helping us to give back! Our November donations will go to HorsePower Therapeutic Riding who provide creative, inspiring, and challenging therapeutic horseback riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities.

Anniversary Tote Bags Available!
Town House Books tote bags are on sale for $16.95. A roomy canvas bag useful for all your shopping and they also make a great gift.

Connect with Us via Social Media
Follow these links to connect with us on your favorite social media sites. Like us, follow us, keep in touch with upcoming events and let us hear from you: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

When You Want Something Truly Unique

If you're looking for a truly unique book, Town House has limited edition, hand sewn letter press books available. The Least Little Thing is a beautiful collection of contemporary haiku by local author Mark Mitchell, arranged and printed by Larkspur Press. Each book is signed by the author. Hardcover editions are available for $28, paperback editions are $20. The poetry is sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, and always reveals some truthful experience. Here are two examples:

Waxwings in the elm—
their call notes about as faint
as intown starlight.

If time alone will
tell, why is everybody
else talking so much?

Read a review of this book and others.

In The Media

Come inside Town House through this video tour.

Listen to the Made in Chicago feature on WBBM with Julie Mann's interview of David Hunt:

Read the Chicago Tribune story, "Off The Chain," about independent bookstores.

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