The internet has certainly changed, affected and in some cases hurt retail stores and shopping. But some stores are unique enough that they’re, what I call, “internet-proof.”

The Book Rack or Peoria Book Rack Gift Booktique as it’s called on their facecrack page is one such store. They have a huge inventory of books and unique gifts that the store is kind of an in-person internet.

And an in-person internet is a lot more fun than being online, so let’s make tracks and go visit the Peoria Book Rack Gift Booktique!

Here we are at the Book Rack/Peoria Book Rack Gift Booktique, this place is one of the biggest book and gift stores in Peoria and beyond! There’s over 3500 square feet and they’ve been in operation for over 50 years here in Peoria.

Let’s go inside and start today’s local shopping post!

There’s a familiar face behind the counter…

It’s the owner, Stacy Hardin!

Stacy said they’ve got a lot of new inventory in the store and they’re constantly growing. She told me to feel free to wander and take some photos. So here we go!

Wow, I forgot the huge inventory of books in here! And this is just one side of the store!

Let’s go check out the other side of the Book Nook…wow, even more titles over here.

What a huge selection, if you’re a book fan you could spend days in here just checking out titles!

I love the display in this back room and check out the flyer…Save the Date!

There’s an Independent Bookstore Celebration with a Wizard of Oz theme happening here on Saturday, April 27. There’s going to be vendors, treats, give-aways and if you come in a costume you get a free gift! Mark your calendar for this fun Wizard of Oz event!

They ♥️ books here for sure, but there’s also…

A huge supply of gifts and fun items in here!

There’s t-shirts, a whole line of their own Hardin Candles, cards, mugs and so much more!

They have a whole wall of fun and unique socks, book related gift items, custom candy and I love those “I Read Banned Books” buttons!

Once cool thing about shopping locally in here is checking out books by local authors…

In fact…I think I see a local author right over there…

It’s none other than local author, Tricia Nimmo, who goes by her pen name, P.A. Nimmo in the book world!

Last year she came out with her first book, Running Blind in Traffic and she signed books at the Pride and Prejudice event here last summer.

Tricia wasted no time in penning her second book, Diary of a Mad White Woman and this is a fun collection of personal short stories. Tricia says that she’s a complex woman and these are the true ups, downs and sideways tales from her life.

She was recently interviewed on the Greg and Dan Show on WMBD and you can listen to that interview by clicking right here.

I asked Tricia a few questions about the book and you can read those below.

Marty: This is your second book you've written, was the writing process any different for the second time around?

Tricia: My writing process is always the same. I just have to be in the right mood and the words will just come.

Your first book was your story. Is this one a continuation of that story or something different?

The first book was my past and present. I thought I would continue with that but it didn't work. I even tried to write a fiction story, that was going nowhere. I gave up for a while, then when I started again it came out like a journal or diary.

The word "Mad" is used in the title of your book, is that a reference to being angry or crazy or a tribute to Alfred E. Neuman?

The word "Mad" for me in the title is all of it, crazy, angry and maybe just a little Alfred E. Neuman!

Is there a third book in the works and if so, can you give us any advance details on what the subject matter for that might be?

Nothing for the 3rd book yet but you never know. The writing muse might come around at anytime. I would love to try writing fiction, maybe a murder mystery!

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You can buy a copy (or two) of Tricia’s new book, Diary of a Mad White Woman right here at the Peoria Book Rack!

Other stores that have her book in stock include, The Book Nook and Moon Dancer here in Peoria and Kountry Nook and Tails of a Bookworm in Pekin. If you prefer to shop online, you can get a copy via Lulu.com.

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I asked Tricia if there was anything she’d like to say in closing and she said to close it out however I wanted to.

So I looked down the Horror and True Crime hallway at the Peoria Book Rack and there was the closing for this post…