I love coming here! I usually get books for kiddos on birthdays, for baby showers, etc and this is my one stop shop! Not only do they have a great selection, but the staff is incredibly helpful, kind, and can wrap gifts so much better than myself, that alone is a HUGE perk! I can buy the card for the event (SO many local artists featured, and they are always swapping out choices), a gift, get it wrapped, and be on my way to an event in the same day!

My usual purchases are childrens books for kiddos in my life, but I also love their selection of puzzles and games!! My dog also enjoys coming along for shopping. We will be back soon!!

Published 3 months ago

This bookstore is cozy and welcoming. I order books here because I believe in supporting local small businesses. This is definitely worth the effort!

Published 2 years ago

RLB is an excellent independent bookstore that I have frequented since it opened (in their former location). Service is always stellar, and on offer is a wide array of books, cards, puzzles, and so much more. This is one of my happy places. Once again, I have purchased enough merchandise to earn another "reward" next time I visit, but I don't need that as an incentive to return the store. Just being there is enough of a reward for me!

Published 5 months ago

I wish I loved closer to Dubuque so I could visit this lovely bookstore more often, but perhaps it's a blessing to my wallet that I do not. :)

River Lights is such a welcoming bookstore with employees you immediately connect with. It's obvious that they love books and love talking with books, and the minute you walk inside, you feel welcome. While the selection is small, as most independent bookstores are, I've always found something I wanted to buy -- as well as titles I might not otherwise have known about. It's a great mix of popular titles, children's books, graphic novels, nonfiction, Iowa authors, etc. You never feel rushed while you are there, with comfortable seating up front and a large table in the back for you to sit, chat with friends, and flip through the books you plan to purchase.

Published 9 months ago

Delightful bookstore with a fun and helpful staff. This place is so cozy and charming. It's always a short stop on my list of Dubuque things to do

Published 4 months ago

A lovely little local bookstore. Staff was very friendly and had good recommendations. The chalk outline in the floor underneath the mystery section was a fun touch.

Published 2 years ago

Knowledgeable staff, good selection, cozy atmosphere, and you get to support an independent bookstore!

Published 4 months ago

Always a helpful smile and fellow book lovers to make suggestions based off of your already read list of books. I love how they show appreciation for teachers, different customers, and also give back to the community. This shop makes it easy to shop local!!

Published 10 months ago

Published 3 months ago

I love coming here! I usually get books for kiddos on birthdays, for baby showers, etc and this is my one stop shop! Not only do they have a great selection, but the staff is incredibly helpful, kind, and can wrap gifts so much better than myself, that alone is a HUGE perk! I can buy the card for the event (SO many local artists featured, and they are always swapping out choices), a gift, get it wrapped, and be on my way to an event in the same day!

My usual purchases are childrens books for kiddos in my life, but I also love their selection of puzzles and games!! My dog also enjoys coming along for shopping. We will be back soon!!

Published 3 months ago

Knowledgeable staff, good selection, cozy atmosphere, and you get to support an independent bookstore!

Published 4 months ago

Published 4 months ago

This bookstore is cozy and welcoming. I order books here because I believe in supporting local small businesses. This is definitely worth the effort!

Published 4 months ago

Delightful bookstore with a fun and helpful staff. This place is so cozy and charming. It's always a short stop on my list of Dubuque things to do

Published 4 months ago

Published 4 months ago

A wonderful bookstore with amazing customer service. Truly a treasure!

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

RLB is an excellent independent bookstore that I have frequented since it opened (in their former location). Service is always stellar, and on offer is a wide array of books, cards, puzzles, and so much more. This is one of my happy places. Once again, I have purchased enough merchandise to earn another "reward" next time I visit, but I don't need that as an incentive to return the store. Just being there is enough of a reward for me!

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

Personal service and friendly for all age groups

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

A quaint bookstore, with a lots of unique books and gifts. A definite "must stop" when you visit the area.

Published 6 months ago

Great store, great books, wonderful poets like Sunshine, Q, and Alex on the first Friday of every month.

Published 7 months ago

So cute and awesome customer service. I love the banned books week information and it added a lot of books to my reading list!

Published 7 months ago

Published 8 months ago

Beautiful book store offering a large selection of books and other items.
Friendly knowledgeable staff.

Published 8 months ago

Great shop, friendly help..highly recommend.

Published 8 months ago

This is a beautiful shop with a kind, knowledgeable shopkeeper (owner?) who seemed truly interested in providing and receiving book recommendations. Come for the cute storefront and excellent curated selection, stay for the literary gossip.

Published 9 months ago

I wish I loved closer to Dubuque so I could visit this lovely bookstore more often, but perhaps it's a blessing to my wallet that I do not. :)

River Lights is such a welcoming bookstore with employees you immediately connect with. It's obvious that they love books and love talking with books, and the minute you walk inside, you feel welcome. While the selection is small, as most independent bookstores are, I've always found something I wanted to buy -- as well as titles I might not otherwise have known about. It's a great mix of popular titles, children's books, graphic novels, nonfiction, Iowa authors, etc. You never feel rushed while you are there, with comfortable seating up front and a large table in the back for you to sit, chat with friends, and flip through the books you plan to purchase.

Published 9 months ago

Published 9 months ago

A nice hometown bookstore. A decent collection and the staff is so friendly and helpful. They have several book clubs the meet there and they are always willing to recommend a selection. Beautiful shop.

Published 9 months ago

Published 9 months ago

Published 9 months ago

Always a helpful smile and fellow book lovers to make suggestions based off of your already read list of books. I love how they show appreciation for teachers, different customers, and also give back to the community. This shop makes it easy to shop local!!

Published 10 months ago

Great store with lots to offer! Friendly workers and good selection.

Published 10 months ago

Very nice bookstore. Good selection. Well displayed items.

Published 10 months ago

They are always so helpful to find things they have in stock or order things that they don't. I appreciate their recommendations on books & other items. It's a great resource for our community!

Published a year ago

Love this place

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Got to see Heather Gunderkauf! Great store.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

This was my first time in and it was such a perfect bookstore experience! The owner was working and was so helpful. She offered her expertise when I told her I was looking for a cookbook for a gift exchange. I found a beautiful puzzle that everyone loved as well! The selection of books and other items is everything you want in a little shop! She was also able to recommend a book for me and I enjoyed it so much! Will definitely be returning and have already told all my friends about this little gem and how lucky we are to have it here in Dubuque!

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

It is cute! And the employees are so sweet! I love all the books and the theme of the store

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Really enjoyed my visit here. Great bookstore with extremely friendly staff!

Published a year ago

Love the bookstore, very welcoming and nice

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

I always find something to read with the help of the lovely staff!

Published a year ago

The store is set up very cute. They have a variety of books including some on foods of the midwest and the history of Dubuque. Very unique. They do allow friendly, well-behaved dogs on leash. (There is even a water bowl). The staff are friendly and helpful. The store also puts on events that they have listed on a calendar page on the website. Definitely a place worth checking out even if you are just passing through town.

Published a year ago

I am currently participating in the book of the month program. Dena has hit the nail on the head time and time again with her submissions. Thank you for the wonderful books, they've never failed me.

Published a year ago

A lovely little local bookstore. Staff was very friendly and had good recommendations. The chalk outline in the floor underneath the mystery section was a fun touch.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This fantastic local bookstore is everything you’re looking for when you hear the words “local bookstore”. From a good selection, to cozy atmosphere, to helpful and attentive staff, you’ll find something here for everyone. They also do a lot of events that tie into literary calendars (library week) and the like.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Love this bookstore! The clerks are so nice and welcoming and know their merchandise so well!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I love the inclusivity of this bookstore! I bought some books for pride and also interested in trying out one of their book clubs!

Published 2 years ago

The staff is so friendly and helpful. The owner clearly has a passion for books. River Lights is what an indie bookstore should be. Plus, the drive from LeClaire to Dubuque is beautiful.

Published 2 years ago

I found a different variation of Hansel and Gretel than the traditional version. This version that I found at River Lights Bookstore is the witch hunter version. Pretty darn good read!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This is the friendliest place! Helpful, will order books.

Published 2 years ago

Always so helpful and friendly. This store is one of the jewels of downtown. Very organized and also kid and dog friendly. Great options for many local book clubs too.

Published 2 years ago

Staff is very kind and helpful! Great selection of books, gifts and cards!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Extremely cozy, very kind and helpful staff as well. Strongly recommend stopping by and browsing the shelves for your next book.

Published 2 years ago

Nice to be known personally; beats the big box corporation or online.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Just started going to this bookstore and it’s awesome!! Owners are really nice!❤️

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Great store and pet friendly too.

Published 2 years ago

Great store and pet friendly too.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

A beautiful boookstore with a great selection. In addition to its well-curated sections of books, it has the best variety of jigsaw puzzles I’ve ever seen! The staff is so friendly!

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Friendly knowledgeable staff. They allow dogs and have comfortable seating. I love going here. Their suggestions are spot on. They sell field notes note books and other small giftable items like puzzles and stationary. They also are great for any type of card for most occasions. Unique and worth stopping in.

Published 3 years ago

The cutest bookstore, with the nicest people. They hold book signings and other cool events. Their local author section is worth checking out. A true Dubuque business.

Published 3 years ago

My wife loves books . It's a nice shop to appreciate instead of major chains.

Published 3 years ago

My wife and I stumbled upon this great bookstore while enjoying a weekend getaway in Dubuque earlier this year. Ended up spending over an hour in the store pouring over every shelf. Coming from 10+ years in retail management, the merchandising was on point.... even for this middle-aged man who doesnt often notice these types of details, but alas... I was impressed! Ended up speaking to the lady at the counter and traded work stories and our passion for ecological preservation. Bought a few gifts and books and really enjoyed our visit. This is a must stop for anyone looking for a good book-store experience.

Published 3 years ago

Lovely independent book store, great selection and friendly and helpful staff.

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Great books, events, and staff.

Published 3 years ago

Worth the trip from Madison for the small, downtown, independent bookstore feel.

Published 3 years ago

What a delightful little bookstore, and truly a pleasure to peruse.

We stopped here while visiting from out of town. The shop has a great selection of books for all readers and gifts from local artists. I also loved the comfy places to sit around the shop.

Overall, a pleasant shopping experience. I highly recommend it to anybody.

Published 3 years ago

This is a fabulous bookstore with very helpful and caring staff!

Published 3 years ago

A must-visit in Dubuque!

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

J'ai bien reçu le livre Julien Dubuque : Portrait of a Pioneer. Le livre est arrivé vendredi dernier par la poste, car il a traversé la frontière pour se rendre chez moi au Canada! Je remercie le personnel de la librairie pour l'empressement et le professionnalisme dont il a fait part à mon endroit, et ce, malgré la barrière de la langue. Merci encore une fois! Charles Dubuc

Published 3 years ago

This is a really cozy bookstore with a homey atmosphere, helpful and interesting staff, great selection of books. I visit every time I am in Dubuque! It is everything an independent book shop should be.

Published 3 years ago

Cute shop.

Published 3 years ago

Great selection, wonderfully displayed to entice me. Staff were helpful and friendly, as always!

Published 3 years ago

Gonna be honest- have not been here in years but whenever I visit home I love to visit River Lights. This store is wonderful and homey. Their book selection is awesome, and the staff is friendly. I always look forward to visiting when I am in Dubuque.

Published 3 years ago

Healpful!

Published 3 years ago

Great bookstore!! 📚

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Gave great recommendations for new books in every subject matter. I loved to support local bussiness, especially when they give their support to teachers!

Published 3 years ago

Best place for books. #ShopSmallShopLocal

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Cute bookstore on the corner that is friendly and offers a surprising variety of children's and YA books and novels. Variety of adult books are not great but they have the popular books at the time and are well versed in what the public is reading. High level of competence all around.

Published 3 years ago

Very friendly staff, nice selection of books, with a very welcoming atmosphere!

Published 3 years ago

The best bookstore.

Published 3 years ago

Great selection! Love that they have books by local authors. Also, if they don't have what you're looking for, they can order it! Shipping is speedy! People who work here are nice, helpful, and courteous!

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Great selection. Super helpful staff.

Published 4 years ago

We just happened upon this store and I’m OBSESSED. The staff was incredibly nice and helpful. We bought like a dozen books.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Geek Squad was amazing and very helpful.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Great place to buy books

Published 4 years ago

Wonderful local bookstore you can get anything at. Knowledgeable and very friendly staff. It was fun to go to.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Great place to get books

Published 4 years ago

It's an amazing book store with a homey feel

Published 4 years ago

Such kind employees and great cards!

Published 4 years ago

Friendly staff with fast service. I ordered online and was able to pick up the next day! Cute interior and lots to choose from!

Published 4 years ago

What great service! Very friendly and flexible about my purchase and shipping to four locations.
My new alternative to the All Powerful You Know Who!

Published 4 years ago

Amazing little place to visit. Website is horrible. Some nice places to sit and read.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Bright, happy and full of delightful books for all ages & genres! The ladies were friendly, kind and helpful. Their window display is also amazing!

Published 4 years ago

Awesome store! Great selection and staff is wonderful. We love taking the kids there.

Published 4 years ago

I moved back to the Dubuque area after being away for 20 years and I stumbled upon this amazing bookstore as I was walking through Downtown. The vibe, historical decor and overall feeling of this place is everything you want in a book store. The staff is beyond friendly, knowledgable and willing to order books if they don't have them in store. I love this place and I'm excited it made it through a very tough 2020 and I want everyone to shop small local business to keep them up and running. Plus, being in the presence of live books is like a refreshing walk in Nature. Spend time here! You'll be so happy you did.

Published 4 years ago

Staff is so friendly and the atmosphere is just wonderful. Lots to look at for everyone, great books and great product.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

LOVE THIS BOOK SHOP!
I think the owners have literally read every book in the store! Just tell them what you’re in the mood for and they will have suggestions. It is so fun to shop here!

They also have a great website. When I want a new book I feel Good about spending the extra couple bucks supporting this small business! Instead of the giant.

Published 4 years ago

Wonderful independent bookstore in downtown Dubuque. Great selection of classics, best sellers, magazines, children's books, and unique gifts. And the employees are always able to recommend a good book too, if you're looking.

Published 4 years ago

Lovely little bookstore with much charm and a friendly, helpful staff.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Helpful staff. Great atmosphere. Many gift options.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Cool local bookstore. Super helpful staff and they have an entire Kurt V. section.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Everyone at River Lights is a delight! Their unique and wonderful books and gift items are perfect for any literature lover, and the service is impeccable! They even wrap gifts!

Published 4 years ago

If on your travel you enjoy shopping for books in unique spaces River lights bookstore is a must visit.
A wide assortment of book types and authors in a spacious store but not so big as too be overwhelming.
The staff is friendly and willing to help with selecting titles and offer suggestions but treat the buying experience as a personal matter and leave you to browse at your own pace.
Special events such as author readings take place when the world is still open.

The area where the store is located is also close to great coffee at Jitterz, great food at L. May eatery and a unique tourist experience at St. Luke's United Methodist Church which houses one of the largest collections of Tiffany staind glass.
So visit the church, buy a book enjoy some coffee maybe dinner. All of these places are jewels of the city of Dubuque.

Published 4 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Great little bookstore in downtown Dubuque! Great selection and great friendly staff!

Published 5 years ago

It's an independently owned book store and it's local to our community. It's quaint and they give you a one on one experience that makes you feel as if they've known you for years. If there is something that you're searching for, that they don't have in stock, they will look to see if it can be ordered for you. I love this shop 🙂.

Published 5 years ago

Ever since I found this shop, I won’t go anywhere else to buy my books. The staff is so friendly and helpful and the store itself is so beautiful!

Published 5 years ago

This is a jewel of our downtown. The distinctive smell of new tomes... the gentle creak of the wood floors... the friendly and knowledgeable staff. We need more businesses like this on Main Street.

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Great independent bookstore. Wide-ranging selection including plenty of books relevant to current events and local authors, well-organized, and dog-friendly.

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

This amazing store opened 45 mins early because we happened to be looking in the windows. Couldn’t have been happier with the service and amazing selection. Can’t wait to go back in the near future. Thank you to the staff for a great welcome to the town.

Published 5 years ago

Extremely friendly, great selection of books. Nice meeting area, and alot of extra effort put into this place! They currently have "Blind Date with a Book" set up for Valentine's.

Published 5 years ago

Such a cute little bookstore! Reminds me of the bookstore from You’ve Got Mail. Could wander around in there for hours!

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

This is a great bookstore. A good selection of progressive mags and a lot of room to sit and read.

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

Published 5 years ago

One of my favorite bookstores! Though I do miss their cute dog. So sad my husband Christopher never met it.

Published 6 years ago

Nice little store though saw some strange lady climb up the ladder and then proceeded to meow at me and my wife

Published 6 years ago

My favorite place to browse, read, and buy anything book related. Also, sometimes they have advanced reader copies available that I just love getting my hands on!

Published 6 years ago

Favorite place to get gifts for kids and family. Free gifted wrap and an the employees are so knowledgeable!

Published 6 years ago

Very nice people.

Published 6 years ago

One of my favorite bookstores in Iowa. The staff always has great suggestions.

Published 6 years ago

Awesome little bookstore right in downtown Dubuque. Small, but they have a great variety on a nice array of topics. I really enjoyed my visit.

Published 6 years ago

River Lights is my favorite indie bookstore in Iowa. I always stop by when traveling from Madison, Wisconsin to the Quad Cities. The booksellers direct me to excellent reads and I always buy a book when I stop in.

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Friendly, courteous, helpful. Goes out of their way to help find books if not in store.

Published 6 years ago

Ordered book, friendly service

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Best hometown family-like atmosphere

Published 6 years ago

Nice feminine new age like your into rhunes, 10 cats, tarrot cards cozy place.

Published 6 years ago

Great little bookstore with a good selection of all types of books for all ages. Plenty of gift ideas! Very friendly and helpful staff as well.

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Authentic

Published 6 years ago

Quaint little bookshop that offers a great selection on a variety of book. They have the small town feel to it and were quick to greet the moment we walked in. Treats and water available for dogs on sunny days.

Published 6 years ago

Cute little bookstore, well organized, clean, friendly staff

Published 6 years ago

Small local bookstore in a small river city. With the window seat and a few scattered tables this is a great place to grab a hardback, paperweight, or interact with whatever new contest the store is putting on. There is a great variety for a small local bookstore and it's worth the stop to check it out.

Published 6 years ago

Amazing

Published 6 years ago

Intimate locally owned bookstore with outstanding customer service!!!

Published 6 years ago

Always a good experience. Have what I am looking for..

Published 6 years ago

Beautiful store and helpful staff. I highly recommend!

Published 6 years ago

River Lights is a doll of a bookstore! I was looking for a specific title from a Wisconsin author. They had several choices. I love the spaces and the building is lovely. The staff was attentive and friendly -- it's quite lovely.

Published 6 years ago

Truly awesome bookstore and very friendly staff

Published 6 years ago

Excellent selection of books and reasonably priced

Published 6 years ago

Great little bookstore in the heart of downtown. The space has a really warm feel and the employees are always very kind. The perfect mix for such a sweet little bookstore. Whether you're looking for something obscure or something from the best sellers list you won't be disappointed. They also feature a wonderful children's section. when in Dubuque make sure you stop in to this little gem.

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

High quality hole-in-the wall bookstore. This is a really fun place with a welcoming environment. The staff know thier stuff and love a good challenge. River Lights Bookstore is a Downtown must see

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

A great bookstore with more than just books. We always stop here when in town.

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

I love this book store! They have a wonderfully curated selection of books. I never walk out empty handed.

Published 6 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Very nice independent book store.

Published 6 years ago

Lovely one of a kind bookstore. It's the kind of place where the staff know and love books, and want you to be able to interact with them. We stop every time we are in Dubuque.

Published 7 years ago