Midwest Partners

06/25/2026

The Big Read was on NPR this week! Check it out. :)

The National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest have partnered for the past two decades for a reading initiative. This project highlights shared reading experiences. Yvonne Boose follows up with a Princeton organization who received a grant for the 2025-26 Big Read.

05/22/2026

Can you beat this? Remember to share a picture of your bingo sheet near a little free library and be entered to win $50 to Thriftbooks! Turn in your sheets at the B Store and be entered to win $100 toward a Little!

05/20/2026

We've been holding events all about how poetry and nature can help us come together and heal. Sometimes these are tough conversations, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun too. Take this poem for example. Brian Bilston is the bees knees.

A poem for World Bee Day.

05/19/2026

It's Little Free Library week! Did you know our founder, Rick Brooks, also helped start Little Free Library? We have over 30 in Princeton, of all kinds — including pantries, pet supplies, the mini red covered bridge. To celebrate, Little Free Library is having a contest to win a $50 gift card to Thriftbooks. We are collecting completed bingo sheets for a chance to win $100 to Little Free Library. Come visit us at The B Store - Bike Place to pick up bingo sheets. If you have any questions, give Kayla a call at (219) 276-6365. See the full details here: https://littlefreelibrary.org/about/little-free-library-week

05/06/2026

Couldn't make last week's walk and write? We're hosting another one on Saturday, May 16 at 9:00AM with the The Wetlands Initiative's land steward Claire Morrical and poet/writing instructor Kayla Greenwell! For those who have mobility concerns, a UTV will be available. ALL ARE WELCOME! 🥰🌻🌿

05/01/2026

Good morning, Princeton! The sun is out and it's a great day for a walk in the woods. Join us for our first walk & write event! We will be writing poetry today, inspired by "You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World." We have free copies of this poetry collection for attendees thanks to the National Endowment of the Arts, Arts Midwest, and of course True Leaves Bookshop - Princeton, IL. Here's a sneak peak of what we'll be seeing out there at 1PM in Warnecke Woods. 🌿🌞🪻

04/30/2026

The romantic poets believed that true poetry is an overflow of emotion reflected upon in the tranquility of nature — so we're going to give it a shot! Join us tomorrow at 1PM as we wander through the Warnecke Woods with pollinator expert Ellen Starr and writing instructor Kayla Greenwell. Take in the landscape around you, listen to some poetry, and maybe even venture to write one of your own.

04/23/2026

This Saturday from 5-7 True Leaves Bookshop - Princeton, IL, we are co-hosting a Poetry & Storytelling open mic for all ages! We're so excited to partner with such incredible book lovers like Matt & Angela. Come have some fun, learn about upcoming literary arts fun, and hang out with the "cool kids." ;)

Check check, is this thing on? 🎤 Join us after-hours on Indie Bookstore Day, 4/25, to celebrate National Poetry Month at our inaugural Open Mic Night!

Come to listen or to read your original poems or stories-- or the work of your favorite writer.

Feeling curious, but a tad shy? Think it over and sign up the night of the Open Mic. Ready to commit? DM or email us to reserve a 5-minute slot. There's no fee to read or attend. This is an all ages event; choose your readings accordingly.

Confirmed poets include:
Trevor Wright, Kayla Greenwell, and Angela Adams, co-owner of True Leaves Bookshop 🍃