Anderson's in downtown Naperville must have harnessed the magic of all the boy and girl wizards in the books on its shelves. It has succeeded as the oxymoron of the 21st century—a thriving independent bookstore.

That it does so with minimal attention to the trinkets and kitsch that clutter so many other stores trying to eke a profit from print attests to its status as a first-rate stop for anyone who values the atmosphere of people who know and love their business.

I have never gone into Anderson's with the intent to buy one thing and managed to keep that resolution. The ability of the buyers to chose books that catch the eye and imagination is magic, indeed. Their biggest draw, though, is the constant stream of authors booked into the store reading, signing, and discussing their work with eager readers.

A store that knows its audience and serves it beyond expectations—not really magic then that they have done what few could accomplish.