Kansas City, MO — Rainy Day Books, Kansas City’s iconic independent bookstore, marks its 50th anniversary this November with a season-long celebration of community, conversation, and culture. Founded in 1975 in Fairway, Kansas, the beloved shop has hosted everyone from presidents and Pulitzer Prize winners to hometown heroes. Its golden anniversary will celebrate its legacy of literacy.
Rainy Day Books — 50 Years of Kansas City’s Independent Bookstore
Founded: November 1975
Home Base: Fairway, KS
Milestone: 50th Anniversary November 2025
Why It Matters
- Iconic KC Institution: A half-century of shaping the city’s literary culture—a rare feat for any indie bookstore.
- Nationally Recognized, Fiercely Local: Hosts presidents, first ladies, and A-list authors while remaining a neighborhood hub.
- Next-Chapter Momentum: Following the 2023 transition to Made in KC + Friends of RDB ownership, the bookstore is expanding its reach without losing character
Events & Author Programs
- 200+ events/year: from intimate in-store talks to Unity Temple’s 1,200-seat gatherings.
- Notable Guests: Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Martha Stewart, John Grisham, Anne Rice, Hillary Clinton, Jan Karon, Sue Grafton, and more.
Community & Partnerships
- Seven bookseller-led book clubs: literary fiction, horror, romance, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, adaptations, and S.S.R., with a couple of exciting additions coming this January!
- Collaborations with KC Public Library, Mid-Continent Library, Linda Hall Library, Truman Library Institute, American Public Square, and Kauffman Center.
To honor five decades of shaping Kansas City’s literary scene, Rainy Day Books is rolling out a powerful lineup of events this November and December.
🎂 50 Years of Rainy Day Books: A Celebration with Vivien Jennings — November 4th from 7-8 pm at Unity Temple
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Unity Temple on the Plaza, Sanctuary | 707 W. 47th St, Kansas City, MO 64112
Hosted by Rainy Day Books
Rainy Day Books Events Link: https://rainydaybooks.com/upcoming-events
Calling all Kansas City book lovers! Join Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple to celebrate 50 years of history in KC.
We want to use this monumental anniversary to gather our literary community. Hear from Rainy Day Books’ founder, Vivien Jennings, in conversation with local author and personal friend, David Von Drehle.
Discussing Rainy Day Books’ foundation, highlights from the last 50 years, and our continued legacy of literacy, this event in Unity Temple’s Sanctuary will delve into our history as never seen on stage.
100% of event proceeds will go to Rainy Day Books’ Books for All program, bringing books and book fairs to students in need.
🎂 All Day Celebration in Store
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 10am-7pm
Rainy Day Books
Join us on Saturday where we will be celebrating our birthday all day long. We will have two special story times (10:00-10:30 for kids 3 and under and 11:00-11:45 for 4 and above), a visit from the mayor of Fairway to make a special announcement, and local author Megan Bannen will be in the shop as a guest bookseller, and we will have free cake!
Be sure to stop by and support your independent bookstore!
❤️ Lead to Read KC Partnership Event — November 13 from 12:30-7:30 pm at the Old Westport Middle School
Tuesday, November 13, 2025 | 12:30–7:30 p.m.
Westport Middle School, 300 E. 39TH Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
Hosted by Lead to Read & Rainy Day Books
Rainy Day Books Events Link: https://rainydaybooks.com/event/2025-11-13/story-story-kc-book-fair
Join us in impacting children’s literacy for the first annual Story by Story: The KC Book Fair on Thursday, November 13, 2025 (12:30–7:30 p.m.) at the Old Westport Middle School.
Inspired by childhood book fairs, this open-house style event will feature both adult and children’s titles, a story time with Adib Khorram, local vendors (Café Corazón, Fifth & Emery, Made in Kansas City, Nour’s, Ruby Jean’s Juicery), raffle prizes, music, and more — all while raising funds for literacy, mentorship, and book access for Kansas City students.