On Saturday, Independent Bookstore Day celebrated its 11th anniversary with more than 1,200 participating stores that held a variety of events, offered exclusive merchandise, united with other stores to create "passport" programs, and otherwise highlighted the value, creativity, and individuality of indie bookstores.
Organized by the American Booksellers Association and sponsored by Ingram, Penguin Random House, and the eight regional booksellers associations, IBD this year featured Amanda Gorman, the former poet laureate, as IBD Ambassador. She called indie bookstores "vital hubs of creativity and community. They offer curated selections that foster discovery for readers, while providing vital support and a platform for diverse voices for writers and other creators. They are the true modern-day town square, the beating heart of our communities, and a place for meaningful interaction and human connection."
ABA CEO Allison Hill said, "Independent bookstores and their communities have a lot to celebrate this year for Independent Bookstore Day! Over 200 independent bookstores opened last year in the United States and many existing ones expanded and evolved. This growth contributed to the economy--according to Civic Economics' Unfulfilled report, 29% of all revenue at independent bookstores immediately recirculates in the local economy, more than four times a corporate online competitor and more than two times a chain bookstore competitor--and provided readers with connection and community.
"And in a year when book bans and challenges threatened the right to read and access to books by and about people of color and LGBTQ+ people, independent bookstores rallied, supporting the right to read in their communities and championing diverse books. April 27 is a day to celebrate the power of community and the important role independent bookstores play in our culture and neighborhoods."
Courtney Wallace, ABA's marketing manager and Independent Bookstore Day program director, commented, "Every year, indie bookstores raise the bar to create unique experiences to celebrate the day, some even expanding to a whole month-long celebration. Seeing the largest event to date in its 11th year reminds us that the future truly is indie. It is further proof that bookstores are central to local communities."
Among the many IBD events, Arundel Books, Seattle, Wash., featured two first edition books by Ernest Hemingway--on display for the day only, and not for sale--that belonged to Hemingway's first wife, Hadley Richardson. The copy of Death in the Afternoon was inscribed by Richardson while the copy of Green Hills of Africa was signed and inscribed by Hemingway to Richardson and their son, Jack. In addition to the book viewing, the store gave away $400 in gift certificates to local bookish clothing designer Celine Waldman and free tote bags to customers who spent $100 or more.
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| Liz Whitelam stamps the North of Boston Book Trail passport for Nosy Crow's John Mendelson at Whitelam Books. | |
John Mendelson, president of children's book publisher Nosy Crow, engaged in what might be the most amazing feat of IBD this year: Saturday and yesterday he bicycled to all 16 stores that participated in the first North of Boston Book Trail passport challenge (which was organized by Liz Whitelam of Whitelam Books in Reading). The journey was an estimated 150 miles altogether. Mendelson invited book lovers to join him for parts of the ride, which was highlighted in social media. He posted maps of his routes on Saturday and Sunday. After his rides, he reported, "I was completely blown away by the whole event: The community that came together around IBD and the NOB Book Trail, the energy I felt after stopping at each and every store, the amazing initiative taken by our small team to run (er, bike) with my slightly bonkers plan, and mostly the warm embrace given to our fledgling independent company as we approach our first anniversary."
During its IBD celebrations, Aaron's Books, Lititz, Pa., unveiled its Book Bus, a converted 1992 school bus that is undergoing an interior conversion to include bookcases, displays, and seating. It'll start rolling in June, and already is scheduled to appear at Lititz Pride, the Lititz Lions 4th of July Parade, and Shore-Leave Sci-Fi Convention. The bus will be available for private and public events, as well as school book fairs and festivals. Aaron's Books co-owner Sam Droke-Dickinson said, "We were excited when the opportunity arose to purchase the bus, as it gives us another way to serve the entire Lancaster County community. If you can't come to Lititz, we can bring the books to you!"
East Bay Booksellers, Oakland, Calif., again celebrated IBD by celebrating its booksellers: the store is giving its staff commission bonuses for purchases of their recommendations, in-store and online. The commission period began Wednesday, April 24, and goes through May Day, when the store closes in honor of International Workers' Day.
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| Bookshop West Portal hosted a llama visit. | |
Bookshop West Portal, San Francisco, Calif., again featured a visit by llamas--Cap, Chai, and Yanni from the Circle Home Ranch in Sonora--who delighted customers. Another major attraction was an "author caravan" led by Dave Eggers that included Rita Bullwinkel, Michael Chabon, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Daniel Gumbiner, R.O. Kwon, Lauren Markham, and Vendala Vida. The authors mingled with customers and signed books. Festivities also included the chance to take a "blind date with a book" and a raffle ticket. The grand prize was a rare, oversized, and signed edition of Eggers's Newbery Medal-winning The Eyes and the Impossible, complete with original artwork by the author.
In addition to 10% discounts on staff picks, exclusive merchandise, and participating in the raffle for a gift card to an area bookstore, A Room of One's Own, Madison, Wis., donated 15% of sales over the weekend "to Gazans in need of aid."
McNally Jackson Books in New York City offered 25% discounts on staff picks and brought back its prize wheel (one spin per customer).
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| At Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va. | |
On Saturday, more than 500 Libro.fm Golden Tickets, good for 12 audiobook credits, were hidden in a variety of bookstores for customers to find. Booksellers and book lovers were active on social media, sharing videos and photos about the tickets. Libro.fm also celebrated with an Indie Bookshop Appreciation Sale on bestselling audiobooks priced at $5 or less from April 22 through yesterday, and did podcast interviews with authors Hanif Abdurraqib, Andrew Sean Greer, Darcie Little Badger, and Steven Rowley.
Independent Bookstore Day began in 2014 as California Independent Bookstore Day, founded by the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association and the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association (now the combined California Independent Booksellers Alliance). The first California Bookstore Day had 93 participating stores.
Samantha Schoech oversaw and developed the event as it went national and, in 2019, became a part of the ABA. She left the organization in 2021. Courtney Wallace has headed the program since then.