Welcome to Emerald & Amethyst Books!
We are glad you’re here!
We are a small independent bookstore in Lexington, Illinois, right on Route 66! We opened in January 2025. You can get to us easily from the Lexington exit on I-55.
We offer books in genres such as sci fi, fantasy, romance, thriller, horror, historical fiction, literary fiction, poetry, plays, history, true crime, memoirs, essays, personal development, science, and social sciences. We also offer tabletop games, board games, and role playing game materials. We have a selection of gifts for the gamers and readers in your life!
We have a cafe area with seating, and you can purchase coffee drinks, energy drinks, and soda. We also offer gourmet baked goods from Common Grounds in Gridley, including pie by the slice, cookies, brownies, and scotcharoos.
Our store is owned by Jamie and Andy Hand, a married couple who met studying English at Illinois State University. Andy is a Navy veteran, guitar player, and game designer. Andy loves to read fantasy and horror. Jamie reads literary fiction, nonfiction, and a little bit of everything in between. Jamie had a successful corporate career before opening Emerald and Amethyst.
Ways to support us!
Ways to support us!
Sign up for our mailing list
We send a monthly newsletter that rounds up all of our upcoming events, recaps book recommendations for the month, and more! We promise not to spam you!
Libro.fm
Love audiobooks? So do we. Now you can buy audiobooks and benefit your local indie bookstore! Our libro.fm app works just like audible, but your money stays in your community.
Bookshop.org
This is our online store front for e-books, hardcovers, and paperbacks! Shop online and your purchases benefit our store. This is a great way to support us from afar.
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 3, 6-8PM
Quiet Reading Club: social hour 6-7 and quiet reading hour from 7-8.
Wednesday, April 8, 6-8PM
Game night, come play dice, card, or board games with us.
Tuesday, April 14-18, ongoing
Our first puzzle contest! Email us at emeraldandamethystbooks@gmail.com to reserve a time spot. You’ll work on the puzzle in teams of 1-3 and we will time you. Whichever team completes the puzzle the fastest wins free merch! Sign up by April 11.
Friday, April 17, 6-8PM
Quiet Reading Club: social hour 6-7 and quiet reading hour from 7-8.
Saturday, April 18, 1-3PM
Local author Chrissy Curry will be here promoting her new book.
Friday, April 24 4-8PM
Our first Fourth Friday of 2026! These were a big hit in 2025. Every Fourth Friday from April - September, come out to Lexington for special hours and deals at our local businesses.
Saturday, April 25
Independent Bookstore Day! This is like Christmas for little bookstores like us! Come out for specials and to meet others who love indie bookstores.
Saturday, May 2
Red Carpet Corridor
July 7-11
Lexington Prime Days
Come shop local businesses for deals, instead of shopping on Amazon.
August 11-15
Lexington Homecoming Carnival
Main street will be closed down for a carnival! We’ll still be open and there will still be parking.
Saturday, Sept 12
Merchants on Main
November 27-28
Black Friday and Small Business Saturday
Saturday, December 5
Christmas on the Prairie
Merch
Want some Emerald and Amethyst merch? Stop by in our store or email us at emeraldandamethystbooks@gmail.com and we’ll hook you up!
