“I was beyond elated to have 35 other bookshops want to participate and make this epic summer literary road trip,” said Theroux. “We’ve worked hard since then to plan, organize, and get everything ready for our first year. I want to bring Iowa bookshops together, celebrate the communities we are in, and give people a road trip to bond with family and friends, all over the love of books.”

The Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour, which includes the Green Dragon Bookshop, encourages readers of all ages to visit independent bookstores and their communities while encouraging reading and learning.

“In an era where literacy and access to books is being challenged, indie bookshops like mine provide a safe space for people to find books, which represent a piece of themselves,” said Theroux. “I have many people who come into my shop to relax in a safe space and be surrounded by books.”

The Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour isn’t just an idea and tourism stops in different communities. Theroux and fellow bookshop owners statewide also created a passport for the tour which can be stamped at each bookshop location. Each visit to a different participating independent bookshop is equivalent to an entry into a drawing with a number of different prizes being drawn on Sept. 30, including gift cards to a participating bookshop of the winner’s choice, as well as a year of free audiobooks.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The Green Dragon Bookshop is located at 9 N. 11th St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“I am so thrilled at how this event has been welcomed and received,” said Theroux.

Each independent bookstore also has an available list of local places including food, entertainment, and even nature stops that they’d recommend to visitors on their summer literary tour.

“This is a supportive community of bookshop owners,” said Theroux. “We work hard to support each other.”

A list of participating bookshops along with the passport for the tour is available online at IowaIndieBookshopTour.com.

Theroux opened the Green Dragon Bookshop in June 2022. The shop is named after a place in JRR Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Cori Theroux, owner of the Green Dragon Bookshop, shows the passports that customers can pick up at the participating bookshops. Each location will stamp the passport and each stamp is an entry for prizes.

“It is amazing being an indie bookshop,” said Theroux. “Webster County has been wonderful.”

The Green Dragon Bookshop focuses on sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books, along with also having a romance and mystery section. They also have sizable young adults and kids sections as well. According to Theroux, she is also able to order in books by request.

“The most unique part of our bookshop is the diversity of books we carry,” said Theroux. “Much thought goes into each book that we put on our shelves. We want our readers to be able to find a book where they are reflected in the pages.”

The Green Dragon Bookshop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM and Sundays from noon to 4 pm and is located at 9 N. 11th St. in Fort Dodge.

Iowa Independent Bookshop Tour

Runs July 1-Sept.30

36 independent bookshops across Iowa

Includes:

• The Green Dragon Bookshop, Fort Dodge

• The BookShoppe, Boone

• Books and Bakery, Carroll

• Dog-Eared Books, Ames

Map available at IowaIndieBookshopTour.com