The dog days of summer are here, and the heat is just one more reason to escape reality in any way possible. So, whether you need a new read or want to dive into a board game, set your sights on Faded Pages Bookstore, located at 319 Main St. in Belton.
At 9:30 in the morning, it was already in the mid-90s outside. And although the air conditioning was roaring in the store, there was another kind of warmth as owner Mary Martin shared her story.
Taking a seat on the rug, she spoke excitedly about community, reader inclusion, and her passion for promoting indie authors, both online and off.
TikTok boosts local book business
Without Martin’s online community rallying around her, Faded Pages wouldn’t be here today.
In 2023, she opened a bookstore in Cleveland, MO, a town of 750 or so people.
“I grew up there. There was never anything to do,” she said. “So when I saw the bookstore [there] for sale, I was like ‘Oh, that’d be a great opportunity for me to be able to open the bookstore and have something for kids to do.’” She wanted a space for children to visit after school that was safe “instead of running around and getting in trouble.”
But the rent in Cleveland was expensive, and she wasn’t getting enough foot traffic to stay open. However, Martin’s troves of TikTok followers had other ideas. ‘Go live,’ they said. So she did.
Right away, book lovers and indie authors from all over showed up to her TikTok stream, and the donations started pouring in. Martin soon shelved her plans to shut down, and moved her beloved bookstore to Belton, re-opening in February of 2026.
Since then, she’s been astoundingly busy. When she’s not talking up a storm about indie authors on TikTok, she’s in the store selling physical copies of their books. Otherwise, you might find Martin hosting an indie author live in-store as she does every week, or spending an evening spotlighting a small group of authors.
Literary choices for all in Belton
Regardless of whatever literary leanings customers have, they likely find something interesting at Faded Pages.
“We’re not just a romance store, we’re not just a thriller store,” says Martin. “We literally have books for children. I have books in Spanish, German, and French. I have traditionally published books. I have it all because I wanted to be somewhere everybody could come and feel welcome.”
Martin carries both new and used books for adults and children, and has a dedicated corner for the little literati. She holds a free story hour every third Saturday at 11 am.
What could be more fun than curling up with a good read? Here, customers are never far from a comfy couch or an interesting cover. One could also escape into a board game. For the social type, Martin hosts Dungeons &Dragons nights as well as open game sessions every third Friday until 10 pm.
Nestled here and there are various goodies, such as plush books with friendly faces, stationery items, journals, and more. By the counter, are shelves showcasing small businesses.
Blind date with a book at Faded Pages
Like most business owners, Martin took a gamble when she opened her store. But she managed to turn gambling itself into something wholesome by offering mystery books and boxes for those who like to take chances on a book. Each one is beautifully wrapped, with extras hidden throughout.
“In 2023, I started Blind Date with a Book and book boxes, and I was one of the first creators on TikTok doing (that),” she says. “Now they’ve blown up and they’re all over. But my passion was to make it feel like when you open the box, you get the magic of the book fair — layers and layers of fun.”
Book Fairs with Flair
Who could forget when the school gym or multi-purpose room was transformed by the Scholastic Book Fair? Martin believes that adults are left out for no reason, so she did something about it.
“I started adult book fairs in 2023. My vision has always been to bring the magic of the book fair, just because I’ve always been the person that couldn’t afford all the stuff,” she says.
Her next adult book fair is slated for Saturday, September 19th. Authors representing everything from thriller to fantasy to cozy reads will be there to sell their books, sign things, and socialize.
“I’ve always been for the underdog. I love my indie authors. I just love helping people.”
Author
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