Jen Brodal/MDN Val Stadick, owner of Main Street books in downtown Minot, pages through her big title, "Cloud Ku Ku Land,” a recommended read, at the front window of her shop.

Today is National Book Lovers’ Day, and Val Stadick of Main Street Books in downtown Minot is proclaiming just one more page — the book club, which starts at her store on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 3:30 p.m. The August title will be “The Other Americans” by Laila Lalami.

Stadick said she originally wanted to be a writer and for a short time was but ended up loving being surrounded by books and finding inspiration in sharing the importance of reading with others. Stadick said there are so many statistics on kids’ reading just 20 minutes a day and how it can benefit their future, even their future income.

Stadick said reading can be an excellent way to take people away from their troubles and help them escape and relax. She said it’s just such a calming activity, especially these days, that is good for the mind and soul.

Some end-of-summer recommended reads from Stadick include: “Cloud Ku Ku Land” by Anthony Dooer, coming out in October in paperback; local reference selection “Dakota Day Trips” by Cliff Naylor just came out; a lovely, light, fun romance called “Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid; and an older title, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” by David Grann, also set to become a major motion picture directed by Martin Scorsese.

Stadick said she’s been in business in different spots on Main Street for more than 20 years, and it fills her heart to see Main Street thrive. Thursdays downtown have been amazing for the store, Stadick said. She said it’s packed on Main Street and the store stays open later.

“We’ve had people come in from other cities all over North Dakota, and they really comment on how they really love our downtown,” Stadick said.