Find Your Next Favorite Read & More
A Unique and Fun On-site Shopping Experience for Your Employees, Tenants and Guests.
Find Your Next Favorite Read & More
A Unique and Fun On-site Shopping Experience for Your Employees, Tenants and Guests.
Get Ready for the Last Story in the Book Fair Mike Saga!
There Was The Prequel - Books Are Fun A Reader's Digest Company
In 2008, the story begins with becoming a rep for Books Are Fun, when it was owned by Reader's Digest. Just gettng our feet wet in this book fair business.
Then Came Book 1 - Books Are Fun/Imagine Nation Books
In 2009, the man who started Books Are Fun and then sold it to Reader's Digest, bought it back!! In this book, we see the start of "Book Fair Mike" and "Books Are Fun presented by Book Fair Mike", Earl Kaplan turning over the running of the business to his son Ben and the retiring of one of the four book fair reps in the Kansas City metro. Our business started to grow a little.
Which Took Us to Book 2 - Collective Goods
In 2016, Ben decided that the Books Are Fun name was boring and re-branded the company as Collective Goods. So, we became "Collective Goods presented by Book Fair Mike." Another book fair rep in the area retired and we had the opportunity to buy his business. The list of locations we served took a big step up.
And the Fun Turn in Book 3 - The Book Fair Co.
In 2022, it was clear that COVID had a HUGE negative impact on Collective Goods as the places we served were very slow in allowing our events to come back in person--if there was a large enough staff even in the building anymore. In 2023, Ben made the decision to get out of the book fair business, and I became one of about 25 reps around the country to become an individual independent business. The Book Fair Co. began!
And Bringing it Home in Book 4 - Pages & Roads
In September 2025 we begin the final story in the Book Fair Mike saga. As I approach the 20th year of doing this, the title has a poetic ring, a paying homage to those stories that have impacted my journey, and the knowing that roads keep taking us--to where, who knows. Hopefully, where the map turns wonderfully blue. . .
About The Book Fair Co.
Our History
Since 2008, originally as a rep for Books Are Fun ("Books Are Fun presented by Book Fair Mike") we've been putting on our "pop-up" Book & Gift fairs at hospitals, companies and office buildings generally within a 3-hour drive of Kansas City--we do occasionally go farther. In 2023, Books Are Fun/Collective Goods got out of the book fair/display marketing space and this little venture became truly and completely our own small business.
The "Cool Books"
We are a "pop-up" bookstore first--member of the American Booksellers Assoc. and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Assoc.--so, of course we have books. When you host/visit one of our events there will be a wonderful selection to pick from--bestsellers, cookbooks, inspirational titles, general interest and children's books--and at discounts off the publisher price that you'll be very happy with.
The "& More"
We'll bring a varied and unique selection of cool and different items to your event, including early learning, toys/games, electronics/gadgets, kitchen essentials, outdoor items and more. The selection will vary from season to season--even fair to fair!
What will your employees, tenants and guests discover at one of our events?
The "Cool Beans"
Our events can have a bigger purpose: to help your location support causes that are important to you. Hospital Auxiliary? United Way? Employee Assistance Program? YES! YES! YES! You have the opportunity to support that mission with EVERY item sold at one of our events.