How many small midwestern towns have a place like Books On First? It's a coffee shop and a book store that routinely has small live bands, storytellers, poets, musicians and the like come and entertain, all at no charge. In this day and age, where giant online retailers are running small bookstores out of business and major coffee chains are doing the same for their competition, it's a miracle that Books On First continues, but it does and it's a gem.

If I was visiting Dixon and had just one place to stop, Books On First might just be that place. The book selection is great and the coffee is very good too. The owners of Books On First buy their coffee beans fresh in Chicago and take pride in what they serve.

Seating is limited, only about 3 small tables up front by the windows but it's never really crowded though. The menu is pretty much limited to coffee and tea drinks but it's a generous drink menu. Again, it's a great place with a wonderful atmosphere, stop in, buy a book, have some coffee and relax - maybe even catch some live entertainment on the weekend nights.