The fifth annual New Zealand Bookshop Day was held on Saturday. Booksellers NZ described it as "a day to celebrate your local bookshop and the wonderful booksellers in your community! And our bookshops have all sorts of activities planned for those of you who stop by on the day to show your support. There are author talks, readings and book signings, face painting, cake, discounts, competitions, and even cute animals at some of our bookstores." Here are a few #NZBookshopDay highlights from NZ booksellers' social media posts:
Marsden Books, Wellington: "TODAY IS NZ BOOKSHOP DAY! We are celebrating by supporting local authors and have filled our window with their wonderful books. Come in for a browse 9-3."
Time Out Bookstore, Auckland: "Happy NZ Bookshop Day!! It's Halloween at Time Out. Today, we've got cookies, blind date books, a guest bookseller, book giveaways and free movie tickets! Come in and say hello."
The Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop, Auckland: "This amazing pile of books from Gecko Press goes to one lucky shopper tomorrow--NZ Bookshop Day. Just purchase any book on Saturday 26th October to go in the draw!"
The Twizel Bookshop, Twizel: "This weekend is lining up to be a honk-tooting crackle-dackle bum-fizzer ding-donger in Twizel! We have a great line up on Saturday for NZ Bookshop Day--come to the Marketplace to hear Ruth Entwhistle Low talk about her book The Shearers while two local lambs have an appointment with Tony Dobbs and his blade shares...."
And later: "NZ Bookshop Day in Twizel’s Market Place was INCREDIBLE! Thank you to everyone who came along to support us and the incredible authors, photographers, Shearers, SHEEP AND DOGS and everyone in between. What an amazing day, our cup of gratitude is still fizzy and frothing."
Unity Books WGTN, Wellington: "It's getting closer! Visit us on Saturday, NZ Bookshop Day to enter our competition to win reading group books for you and your friends. What have been your top book group picks this year?"
McLeods Booksellers, Rotorua: "It's NZ Bookshop Day this Saturday so if you are in Rotorua pop into our shop for the McLeods Annual Treasure Hunt for all ages! Find a brown paper wrapped book in its corresponding section of the shop and take it home for free! This is our way of thanking all of you--our lovely customers--for supporting us and local business!"
The Women's Bookshop, Auckland: "Happy NZ Bookshop Day! Today we have special deals on some of our most popular titles, giveaways, an incredible children's author painting our shop window, and of course our poetry show tonight! Hope to see you there!"
Scorpio Books, Christchurch: "CONTEST! Share your love of Scorpio Books and be in to win a $30 voucher and a Bookshop Day tote bag! To Enter: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Take a picture in the shop or take your own book inspired pic. Post it and tell us why you love your bookshop in the caption. Tag us in your post and use #NZBookshopDay. We'll pick a winner on Tuesday, 29th October!"
Books A Plenty, Tauranga: "A sunny NZ Bookshop Day and the Summer Catalogue has landed! Come and pick one up and browse at the same time."