Your local bookstore in Downtown Crystal Lake!

Brink Street Market
Located on the parking lot side of the shopping center.

Upcoming Events

Indie Bookstore Regional Passport Program

April 1 @ 10:00 am - April 30 @ 5:00 pm

Tuesdays with George

April 8 @ 11:30 am - 12:00 pm

Which Book? Book Club

April 10 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesdays with George

April 15 @ 11:30 am - 12:00 pm

@abalabixbooks21
Abalabix Books

@abalabixbooks21

Abalabix Books is NOW OPEN! Come in to find your next great reading adventure and meet George! 🐶
  • We are excited to announce that Abalabix Books is joining the Independent Bookstore Regional Passport Program organized by Blue House Books in Kenosha, WI.

Twelve bookstores in Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois are participating in this year’s Passport Program!

Starting April 1st, pick up a passport from any participating store and start shopping! If you visit at least three participating bookstores, you could win a $20 gift card to your hometown store or one of THREE Grand Prize baskets of books and gifts from all 12 stores! Visit more stores and earn more chances to win!

Here are the details:

📖 Spend at least $15 at three participating bookstores and earn a sticker, a raffle entry for a $20 gift card to your hometown store, and an entry into the main raffle filled with several books and other prizes!

📖 Spend at least $15 at six participating bookstores and earn one extra entry to the main raffle!

📖 Spend at least $15 at nine participating bookstores and earn one more entry to the main raffle!

📖 Spend at least $15 at 12 participating bookstores and earn one more entry to the main raffle! (That’s four entries into the main raffle!)

Submit your completed passport to any participating store by April 30th.

Here are the participating stores, listed alphabetically:

Abalabix Books 30 N Williams St., Unit A, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
@abalabixbooks21 

About Time 528 N. Milwaukee Ave Libertyville, IL 60048
@abouttimebookstore 

Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave A, Kenosha, WI 53140
@bhbkenosha 

Books & Company, 1039 Summit Ave, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
@books_n_co 

Boswell Book Company, 2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
@boswellbookco 

Lion’s Tooth, 2421 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
@lionstoothmke 

Little Bean Books, 875 Main St, Antioch, IL 60002
@littlebean_books 

Reads by the River, 102 E. Main St, Waterford, WI 53185
@readsbytheriverbookstore 

Read Between the Lynes 111 E Van Buren St Woodstock IL 60098
@readbetweenthelynes 

Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave, Kenosha, WI 
@studiomoonfall
  • We had a great time this past Sunday as we wrapped up our second Origami Afternoon event! We sipped tea from @thespiceandteaexchange and munched on some sweet treats from @cheshire_cakes_bakery! 

We love @downtowncrystallake!

Thanks so much to @tuttlepublishing for all the wonderful supplies and freebies!!!

#abalabixbooks
#spiceandteaexchange
#cheshirecakes
#downtowncrystallake
#tuttlepublishing
  • We had a great time today with Zach Monaghan author of "The Basketball Baby"! There was lots of hoops action, a little reading and tons of excitement for the fun, inspiring message in this cute book.

@thebasketballbabyllc 

#abalabixbooks
#storytime
#georgeisthecutest
#georgeisfamous
  • We are having so much fun during our Spring Break story and craft times! There are still a few spaces available for Thursday and Friday crafts at 11:30am. Go to our website abalabixbooks.com to reserve your spot. Capping off the week, on Saturday morning at 11:00am, is a super fun story time with local author Zach Monaghan and his book The Basketball Baby. No reservation required.  #georgeisacutie #georgeisfamous  @thebasketballbabyllc
  • SPRING BREAK HAPPENINGS!!!

Make plans to join us at Abalabix Books for a great week of fun!!!

Space is limited each day so please go to abalabixbooks.com to sign up for your favorite event!

-- Tuesdays with George
We’ll read some Springtime-themed books, teach George to do some tricks, and everyone gets a Paw Print Squishy Toy.

-- Wednesday
We have a fun craft that will make your room feel like Spring!

-- Thursday
Another fun craft with a little play on the word Spring!

-- Friday
We’ll end the week by making a beautiful hanging rainbow to welcome Spring into your home!

-- Saturday
To cap off our Spring Break Happenings week, and with a nod to March Madness, please join us for a reading, book signing, and maybe even some mini-hoops action with Zach Monaghan, author of "The Basketball Baby: A Ball and A Dream".

We hope to see you here!

#abalabixbooks
#springbreakhappenings
#crafts
#authorreading
#georgeisthecutest
#georgeisfamous
  • Ever wonder why our sandwich board never displays great works of art? It’s because here at Abalabix we are  great at discussing books but art? Not so much…🤭 #artisticallychallenged #letstalkaboutbooks #georgeisfamous #georgeisawesome #georgeisacutiepie
  • Celebrate Women’s History Month at Abalabix Books with our selection of books by and about women. Spin our Wheel of Women in History and learn something new about the women who helped shape our country. Check out our poster listing all the women-owned businesses right here in downtown Crystal Lake. #HERstory #Sourcebooks @Sourcebooks #womenshistory #georgeisacutie #georgeisawesome
  • Just read that this author has been prohibited from promoting her book, so we figured we'd do it for her. Read one woman's incredible inside story of working at Facebook. We have 3 copies!
  • Come in and grab a copy of Caldecott Honor-winning author Shawn Harris’ new book “Let’s Be Bees”. We have fun coloring pages and cute magnets to give away while supplies last! @shawnharri5 @holidayhousebks #georgeisthecutest #georgeisfamous
We are excited to announce that Abalabix Books is joining the Independent Bookstore Regional Passport Program organized by Blue House Books in Kenosha, WI.

Twelve bookstores in Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois are participating in this year’s Passport Program!

Starting April 1st, pick up a passport from any participating store and start shopping! If you visit at least three participating bookstores, you could win a $20 gift card to your hometown store or one of THREE Grand Prize baskets of books and gifts from all 12 stores! Visit more stores and earn more chances to win!

Here are the details:

📖 Spend at least $15 at three participating bookstores and earn a sticker, a raffle entry for a $20 gift card to your hometown store, and an entry into the main raffle filled with several books and other prizes!

📖 Spend at least $15 at six participating bookstores and earn one extra entry to the main raffle!

📖 Spend at least $15 at nine participating bookstores and earn one more entry to the main raffle!

📖 Spend at least $15 at 12 participating bookstores and earn one more entry to the main raffle! (That’s four entries into the main raffle!)

Submit your completed passport to any participating store by April 30th.

Here are the participating stores, listed alphabetically:

Abalabix Books 30 N Williams St., Unit A, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
@abalabixbooks21 

About Time 528 N. Milwaukee Ave Libertyville, IL 60048
@abouttimebookstore 

Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave A, Kenosha, WI 53140
@bhbkenosha 

Books & Company, 1039 Summit Ave, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
@books_n_co 

Boswell Book Company, 2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
@boswellbookco 

Lion’s Tooth, 2421 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
@lionstoothmke 

Little Bean Books, 875 Main St, Antioch, IL 60002
@littlebean_books 

Reads by the River, 102 E. Main St, Waterford, WI 53185
@readsbytheriverbookstore 

Read Between the Lynes 111 E Van Buren St Woodstock IL 60098
@readbetweenthelynes 

Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave, Kenosha, WI 
@studiomoonfall
We are excited to announce that Abalabix Books is joining the Independent Bookstore Regional Passport Program organized by Blue House Books in Kenosha, WI. Twelve bookstores in Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois are participating in this year’s Passport Program! Starting April 1st, pick up a passport from any participating store and start shopping! If you visit at least three participating bookstores, you could win a $20 gift card to your hometown store or one of THREE Grand Prize baskets of books and gifts from all 12 stores! Visit more stores and earn more chances to win! Here are the details: 📖 Spend at least $15 at three participating bookstores and earn a sticker, a raffle entry for a $20 gift card to your hometown store, and an entry into the main raffle filled with several books and other prizes! 📖 Spend at least $15 at six participating bookstores and earn one extra entry to the main raffle! 📖 Spend at least $15 at nine participating bookstores and earn one more entry to the main raffle! 📖 Spend at least $15 at 12 participating bookstores and earn one more entry to the main raffle! (That’s four entries into the main raffle!) Submit your completed passport to any participating store by April 30th. Here are the participating stores, listed alphabetically: Abalabix Books 30 N Williams St., Unit A, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 @abalabixbooks21 About Time 528 N. Milwaukee Ave Libertyville, IL 60048 @abouttimebookstore Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave A, Kenosha, WI 53140 @bhbkenosha Books & Company, 1039 Summit Ave, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 @books_n_co Boswell Book Company, 2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211 @boswellbookco Lion’s Tooth, 2421 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 @lionstoothmke Little Bean Books, 875 Main St, Antioch, IL 60002 @littlebean_books Reads by the River, 102 E. Main St, Waterford, WI 53185 @readsbytheriverbookstore Read Between the Lynes 111 E Van Buren St Woodstock IL 60098 @readbetweenthelynes Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave, Kenosha, WI @studiomoonfall
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
We had a great time this past Sunday as we wrapped up our second Origami Afternoon event! We sipped tea from @thespiceandteaexchange and munched on some sweet treats from @cheshire_cakes_bakery! 

We love @downtowncrystallake!

Thanks so much to @tuttlepublishing for all the wonderful supplies and freebies!!!

#abalabixbooks
#spiceandteaexchange
#cheshirecakes
#downtowncrystallake
#tuttlepublishing
We had a great time this past Sunday as we wrapped up our second Origami Afternoon event! We sipped tea from @thespiceandteaexchange and munched on some sweet treats from @cheshire_cakes_bakery! 

We love @downtowncrystallake!

Thanks so much to @tuttlepublishing for all the wonderful supplies and freebies!!!

#abalabixbooks
#spiceandteaexchange
#cheshirecakes
#downtowncrystallake
#tuttlepublishing
We had a great time this past Sunday as we wrapped up our second Origami Afternoon event! We sipped tea from @thespiceandteaexchange and munched on some sweet treats from @cheshire_cakes_bakery! 

We love @downtowncrystallake!

Thanks so much to @tuttlepublishing for all the wonderful supplies and freebies!!!

#abalabixbooks
#spiceandteaexchange
#cheshirecakes
#downtowncrystallake
#tuttlepublishing
We had a great time this past Sunday as we wrapped up our second Origami Afternoon event! We sipped tea from @thespiceandteaexchange and munched on some sweet treats from @cheshire_cakes_bakery! We love @downtowncrystallake! Thanks so much to @tuttlepublishing for all the wonderful supplies and freebies!!! #abalabixbooks #spiceandteaexchange #cheshirecakes #downtowncrystallake #tuttlepublishing
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
We had a great time today with Zach Monaghan author of "The Basketball Baby"! There was lots of hoops action, a little reading and tons of excitement for the fun, inspiring message in this cute book.

@thebasketballbabyllc 

#abalabixbooks
#storytime
#georgeisthecutest
#georgeisfamous
We had a great time today with Zach Monaghan author of "The Basketball Baby"! There was lots of hoops action, a little reading and tons of excitement for the fun, inspiring message in this cute book. @thebasketballbabyllc #abalabixbooks #storytime #georgeisthecutest #georgeisfamous
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
We are having so much fun during our Spring Break story and craft times! There are still a few spaces available for Thursday and Friday crafts at 11:30am. Go to our website abalabixbooks.com to reserve your spot. Capping off the week, on Saturday morning at 11:00am, is a super fun story time with local author Zach Monaghan and his book The Basketball Baby. No reservation required.  #georgeisacutie #georgeisfamous  @thebasketballbabyllc
We are having so much fun during our Spring Break story and craft times! There are still a few spaces available for Thursday and Friday crafts at 11:30am. Go to our website abalabixbooks.com to reserve your spot. Capping off the week, on Saturday morning at 11:00am, is a super fun story time with local author Zach Monaghan and his book The Basketball Baby. No reservation required.  #georgeisacutie #georgeisfamous  @thebasketballbabyllc
We are having so much fun during our Spring Break story and craft times! There are still a few spaces available for Thursday and Friday crafts at 11:30am. Go to our website abalabixbooks.com to reserve your spot. Capping off the week, on Saturday morning at 11:00am, is a super fun story time with local author Zach Monaghan and his book The Basketball Baby. No reservation required. #georgeisacutie #georgeisfamous @thebasketballbabyllc
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
SPRING BREAK HAPPENINGS!!!

Make plans to join us at Abalabix Books for a great week of fun!!!

Space is limited each day so please go to abalabixbooks.com to sign up for your favorite event!

-- Tuesdays with George
We’ll read some Springtime-themed books, teach George to do some tricks, and everyone gets a Paw Print Squishy Toy.

-- Wednesday
We have a fun craft that will make your room feel like Spring!

-- Thursday
Another fun craft with a little play on the word Spring!

-- Friday
We’ll end the week by making a beautiful hanging rainbow to welcome Spring into your home!

-- Saturday
To cap off our Spring Break Happenings week, and with a nod to March Madness, please join us for a reading, book signing, and maybe even some mini-hoops action with Zach Monaghan, author of "The Basketball Baby: A Ball and A Dream".

We hope to see you here!

#abalabixbooks
#springbreakhappenings
#crafts
#authorreading
#georgeisthecutest
#georgeisfamous
SPRING BREAK HAPPENINGS!!! Make plans to join us at Abalabix Books for a great week of fun!!! Space is limited each day so please go to abalabixbooks.com to sign up for your favorite event! -- Tuesdays with George We’ll read some Springtime-themed books, teach George to do some tricks, and everyone gets a Paw Print Squishy Toy. -- Wednesday We have a fun craft that will make your room feel like Spring! -- Thursday Another fun craft with a little play on the word Spring! -- Friday We’ll end the week by making a beautiful hanging rainbow to welcome Spring into your home! -- Saturday To cap off our Spring Break Happenings week, and with a nod to March Madness, please join us for a reading, book signing, and maybe even some mini-hoops action with Zach Monaghan, author of "The Basketball Baby: A Ball and A Dream". We hope to see you here! #abalabixbooks #springbreakhappenings #crafts #authorreading #georgeisthecutest #georgeisfamous
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Ever wonder why our sandwich board never displays great works of art? It’s because here at Abalabix we are  great at discussing books but art? Not so much…🤭 #artisticallychallenged #letstalkaboutbooks #georgeisfamous #georgeisawesome #georgeisacutiepie
Ever wonder why our sandwich board never displays great works of art? It’s because here at Abalabix we are great at discussing books but art? Not so much…🤭 #artisticallychallenged #letstalkaboutbooks #georgeisfamous #georgeisawesome #georgeisacutiepie
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Celebrate Women’s History Month at Abalabix Books with our selection of books by and about women. Spin our Wheel of Women in History and learn something new about the women who helped shape our country. Check out our poster listing all the women-owned businesses right here in downtown Crystal Lake. #HERstory #Sourcebooks @Sourcebooks #womenshistory #georgeisacutie #georgeisawesome
Celebrate Women’s History Month at Abalabix Books with our selection of books by and about women. Spin our Wheel of Women in History and learn something new about the women who helped shape our country. Check out our poster listing all the women-owned businesses right here in downtown Crystal Lake. #HERstory #Sourcebooks @Sourcebooks #womenshistory #georgeisacutie #georgeisawesome
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Just read that this author has been prohibited from promoting her book, so we figured we'd do it for her. Read one woman's incredible inside story of working at Facebook. We have 3 copies!
Just read that this author has been prohibited from promoting her book, so we figured we'd do it for her. Read one woman's incredible inside story of working at Facebook. We have 3 copies!
Just read that this author has been prohibited from promoting her book, so we figured we'd do it for her. Read one woman's incredible inside story of working at Facebook. We have 3 copies!
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Come in and grab a copy of Caldecott Honor-winning author Shawn Harris’ new book “Let’s Be Bees”. We have fun coloring pages and cute magnets to give away while supplies last! @shawnharri5 @holidayhousebks #georgeisthecutest #georgeisfamous
Come in and grab a copy of Caldecott Honor-winning author Shawn Harris’ new book “Let’s Be Bees”. We have fun coloring pages and cute magnets to give away while supplies last! @shawnharri5 @holidayhousebks #georgeisthecutest #georgeisfamous
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

We can’t thank you enough!

Our Grand Opening was a huge success and we can’t thank our Crystal Lake community enough! Your kind words of gratitude and encouragement for our little bookstore were, and continue to be, amazing and uplifting. As they say, we hope this is the start of a beautiful relationship.

In order to serve you in as many ways as we can, please know that we offer curbside delivery. Whether you placed an order in the store or on the phone with us, we can take payment over the phone and then bring your books out to your car.

And if for some reason you can’t make it into the store, like, idk, you live in Florida or something, you can continue to support us by shopping through our page on bookshop.org.

We truly appreciate and value your business and hope that we can be of service for many, many years to come!

Happy reading!
Diane (and George)

It’s a Local Thing. It’s a Community Thing.

You probably never think about it but when you support a local business you are not just supporting that business, you are also supporting all of the small, local, independent businesses that they support. Small businesses make up over 99% of the businesses in this country and when you support a small business, on average 67 cents of every dollar stays in your community.

Abalabix Books is proud to support the following merchants:

  • Baldwin Web Design
  • DowntownCL.org
  • Ed’s Rental
  • Fastsigns (independently owned and operated)
  • George Roach & Associates, CPAs
  • Mason Wasz Foundation
  • McGrath Printing
  • Howell’s Flooring and More
  • Men in Paint
  • Today’s Uniforms
  • Waggoner Law Firm

We look forward to seeing this list grow and grow as we become an integral part of the Crystal Lake business community.

Abalaba who?

So, no, you’re not crazy. “Abalabix” is not a real word. But it is a word that resonates with my family and makes us smile every time we think about it or say it.

When trying to decide what to name my bookstore, I, of course, began by Googling every literary or reading type name that I could think of. One that I almost used, were it not for the copyright of the great Mr. Ray Bradbury, was “Stuff Your Eyes” in reference to a passage in Fahrenheit 451, “Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world.”

…Read More

Get In Touch!