Some businesses are named on a whim. Commonplace Books was named with real intention, and once you hear the story behind it, the name sticks with you.
Shannon, the owner of this independent bookstore in downtown Ingersoll, chose the name as a nod to several things at once. The first is the traditional practice of keeping a commonplace book — a personal notebook for recording quotes, recipes, reflections, and anything else that matters to the keeper. It’s a style of journaling Shannon practiced long before she knew it had a name.
The second nod is to the word “commonplace” itself, which usually implies something ordinary or unremarkable. To Shannon, that’s the perfect contradiction: books are made from common materials like paper and ink, yet what they hold is anything but ordinary.
And the third nod is to Shannon’s intention for the shop itself: to be a true common place in Ingersoll, a community space where people can gather around their shared love of books.
That sense of community shows up in how the store operates. Commonplace Books carries new and used titles across genres for adults, young adults, and children, and regularly hosts events that bring local readers and writers together — author signings, book clubs, poetry nights, and workshops are all part of the mix.
At Discover Rural Oxford, running September 15–17, 2026, Shannon will be showcasing local authors at her booth, giving visitors a chance to meet some of the faces behind the books on her shelves.
If you can’t make it to the event, you can visit Commonplace Books in person at 105 Thames Street South in Ingersoll, Ontario, or browse their selection online at commonplaceingersoll.ca.
Either way, get on the same page — and come see what all the pages are about.
Address: 105 Thames Street South, Ingersoll, ON N5C 2T3
Website: commonplaceingersoll.ca