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In a quiet corner of Fayetteville, something wonderful is happening for book-loving families. This summer, Ryan and Jessica Billingsley opened the doors to Dad Suggests Books, a thoughtfully curated bookstore and board game shop designed to connect children and adults with stories they will truly treasure.
It is the kind of place where a child can curl up in a cozy reading nook, a grandparent can reignite their love of reading, and a family can discover a new board game to bring home for Friday night fun. But this bright, welcoming storefront is just the latest chapter in a story that began years ago, born from one dad’s quest for the perfect book to enhance his parenting journey.
A Seed in Searching
In 2018, Ryan was on a mission. A lifelong reader and self-described “geeky dad,” he grew up loving spooky stories and wanted to share that joy with his own kids. But when he searched online for “scary picture books for kids,” the results didn’t match what he had in mind.
“I was disappointed at how hard it was to find the kinds of books I was looking for,” he remembers. “The lists online weren’t really scary, or they wrapped everything up too neatly, where it was just a mistake that resolved. I already had the type of books in mind that I was looking for, and I thought, maybe I should tell people about them myself.”
That spark grew into Dad Suggests Books, an old-fashioned blog where Ryan started reviewing and recommending children’s books and family board games that his family truly loved. Early posts, such as “The Invisible Boy” and “The Dark,” showcased his twin passions: helping children connect with a good story and exploring the thrill of a good shiver down the spine.
The name came easily. “It sounded cool and was self-explanatory with a double meaning,” Ryan says. “It’s me making recommendations, but also a playful third-person thing, Dad suggests books (as opposed to other activities).”
Growing the Story
From the start, the Billingsleys focused on curation. Ryan didn’t recommend books because they were popular or new; he recommended them because they resonated with his own kids or matched his values as a parent. Topics like empathy, imagination and courage became common themes. They used the “mirrors and windows” approach, where books help children explore complex issues by seeing themselves in stories and watching how characters handle challenges.
The blog gradually gained an audience of readers from the U.S., Europe and Asia. Social media strengthened those connections. “On Instagram, I started receiving messages from parents saying, ‘I bought this because of your recommendation and it’s my child’s favorite book now.’ That was the best feeling—knowing what I was doing mattered to someone I’d never met.” That’s when it began to click that this might be more than a series of online posts.
The Booth on the Corner
By 2022, the Billingsleys were ready to try selling books in person. On a whim, they stopped by Brick City, a multi-vendor retail space in Fayetteville and noticed some open booths. They discussed what kinds of shops or items people might sell there. “The idea struck us, maybe we could do this with the books we are suggesting to people,” Ryan recalls.
They set up a small shop-in-a-shop, filling it with the same types of books and family games they had been recommending for years. The experience was eye-opening. “Talking to people face-to-face and hearing them say, ‘We like these books you’ve chosen and came back for the next one in the series,’ meant a lot. It felt like we were building something real.”
From Booth to Bookstore
Earlier this year, they noticed an open space in a building near their neighborhood, and the Billingsleys decided it was time. “It wasn’t something we were actively hunting for,” Ryan says. “But we looked at the space and thought, ‘It’s here or nowhere.'” They wanted a shop in their neighborhood where they could spend time.
The new Dad Suggests Books storefront is cozy and welcoming, with playful touches like a Hobbit House-style nook and a Totoro corner that quickly brighten a child’s face. The shop is filled with picture books, middle grade and teen novels, and a large selection of family board games—including unique titles not found in big-box stores or online.
In just seven weeks since their soft opening, the Billingsleys have already heard multiple customers say, “My child isn’t usually a reader, but they’re sitting right over there reading a book.”
“That’s the nicest compliment we could get,” Ryan says. “We want kids to build positive connections with books. We want this to be a place where they’re happy and comfortable, where reading is fun.”
What to Read This Fall
Fittingly, the man whose journey began with scary stories now offers plenty of fall recommendations. His seasonal reading list features spooky tales perfect for families to enjoy together—stories that are a little eerie but still warm and inviting. The table in the middle of the store will soon shift from back-to-school and friendship stories to spooky fall tales.
The Best Scary Fall Tales
13 Scary Picture Books for Kids
The Best Halloween Picture Books
Whether you’re a local in Fayetteville or just in town for a Razorback game, stop by and check out the fall picks. You might leave with a new favorite bedtime book, a game for the next family gathering, or simply a good memory of quality time together.
“We hope to keep it personal,” Ryan says. “At the end of the day, this store is built on our genuine recommendations, curating what our family reads, plays and enjoys together. That’s what makes it special.”
For families who love stories, or for kids who just need the right book to ignite their imagination, Dad Suggests Books is more than a store. It’s a place that celebrates reading, encourages play and builds community… one book at a time!
Dad Suggests Books
2526 E. Mission Blvd., Fayetteville
Note: the store is closed on Thursdays
Store website | Book Recommendations
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