U.K. booksellers celebrating Bookshop Day this past Saturday had "record-breaking' sales and high footfall inspiring confidence in the lead up to Christmas trading," the Bookseller reported. Meryl Halls, managing director of the Booksellers Association, said: "The creativity and enthusiasm of booksellers is simply awe-inspiring, and it's been brilliant to see them share that energy and passion with their local communities in person this Bookshop Day, particularly after such a challenging year. We've had author events in store, celebrity booksellers behind the tills, children's story times, poetry slams, treasure hunts, and of course the epic Edinburgh billboard takeover featuring Dapo Adeola's stunning limited-edition Books Are My Bag tote bag design. Bookshop Day is such a wonderful celebration of bookshops big and small, doing what they do best, and I'd like to congratulate everyone for really pulling out the stops."
Richard Drake, owner of Drake the Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees, commented: "The book industry continues to be amazing and Bookshop Day once again showed just how amazing booksellers and book buyers are. New customers, old customers and even newfound local authors finding their books on our shelves.... We had a visit from our local MP, Alex Cunningham and generally the day was a festival from start to finish. Cake, fizz, posh outfits and book talk galore. What a great way to start the run up to the Christmas season."
Many indie booksellers shared their #BookshopDay enthusiasm on social media, including:
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| At Kibworth Books, Leicestershire | |
Cogito Books, Hexham, England: "It's hard to believe but #BAMB #BooksAreMyBag #BookshopDay has come around again already; once more giving us an opportunity to thank our customers for the fantastic loyalty they've shown us over this past year of continuing challenges! It's been absolutely wonderful being fully open again throughout the summer and we've been overwhelmed by the support and lovely comments which we've received since opening our doors again in April."
Lighthouse Books, Edinburgh, Scotland: "It's #BookshopDay! Our annual reminder that for all else we do, we are, first and foremost, a Bookshop. We're a community bookshop. Our glorious community of readers includes all who deserve a bookish space that sees, celebrates & champions them. Love you, wherever you are."
Bridge Books, Dromore, Northern Ireland: "Honey, I'm home! Well now, what can I say other than THANK YOU, YOU AMAZING LOVELY PEOPLE for making #BookshopDay an absolutely overwhelming success! I had actual queues all day, over 100 goodie bags given out & most importantly many books sold.... Let's do it all again next year!"
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For Australians, October 9 was Love Your Bookshop Day, an initiative created by the Australian Booksellers Association "to celebrate bookshops across the country and highlight what makes local bookshops great." Among those sharing #LYBD2021 thoughts:
Readings, Melbourne, Vic.: "To celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day we have released a very special, limited edition tote featuring original artwork from beloved children's illustrator Tai Snaith. In the tradition of Peg Maltby and May Gibbs, Snaith's artwork depicts a magical new Readings bookshop situated under a plump toadstool and visited by well-read local wildlife."
The Bookshop, Bowral, NSW: "It's Love Your Bookshop Day, but we are already feeling the love!! Over the past few months, our #bookish communities have shown us so much support and loveliness--we're truly grateful.... This year at The Bookshop Bowral and The Bookshop Kiama, we're declaring our own Love FROM Your Bookshop Day. See you soon!"
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| The staff at Avenue Bookstore welcomes customers for Love Your Bookshop Day. | |
Mary Who? Bookshop, Townsville, Qld.: "A few more snaps from Saturday... thanks to everyone, there were certainly a lot of you, who supported our Love Your Bookshop Day celebrations. Actually the whole weekend at Mary Who? was extraordinary!"
Verso Books, Healesville, Vic.: "Thank you to everyone who came today for #lybd2021. we love seeing all your smiling faces. have been overwhelmed by support for our little shop during our various lockdowns. When we first started on this journey nearly 4 years ago we had no idea our community would show us so much love. We thank you every day--for embracing our store and for enabling us to do what we love every day."
The Little Bookroom, Melbourne, Vic.: "Dears, Love Your Bookshop Day was a bit overwhelming this year! We're deeply humbled by the generous outpouring of support you sent our way. Thank you! We're reminded of how much we miss you! So many friendships formed thanks in our little bookshop! But so many reunions on the nearing horizon.... Bittersweet. But mostly sweet! We're all book people. But turns out our community is made up of people people too. The best combo ever! Working together--as booksellers AND a community--inspires us to do our best. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
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Aotearoa NZ Bookshop Day for New Zealand booksellers was also celebrated Saturday. Beforehand, Booksellers Aotearoa NZ noted: "It's Bookshop Day this Saturday 9th October! We're joining with our friends in Australia and the U.K. to celebrate everything great about bookshops. The fabulous Selina Tusitala Marsh has designed this limited edition Aotearoa-themed Books Are My Bag tote for the occasion. The tote will be available for purchase in select bookshops front this Saturday...." Among the booksellers checking in on social media were:
Unity Books, Wellington: "Saturday is Bookshop Day! Send us your book pick (title, author, review--30 words max, book photo optional) & we'll post our 8 favourite reviews on social media. If yours is chosen you'll win a $30 Unity token AND one of these cool Booksellers totes, modelled here by Ash! Please email us your review with the subject line 'The Customer Knows Best.' "
Wardini Books, Havelock North: "It's National Bookshop Day--much aroha to all of our nation's book shops, especially those in Auckland. Our Phill's love letter is to Anthony Doerr's Cloud Cuckoo Land. Phill says: 'I loved getting lost in this amazing book. It is magical and captivating.' Agreed!"
Schrödinger's Books, Petone: "It's Bookshop Day--you might have heard!! To celebrate, Gecko Press asked booksellers around Aotearoa to share a book that was special to them growing up, a book that raised them.... We are proud to be part of such an awesome community of booksellers up and down the country and send our aroha to them all, especially those in Auckland." --Robert Gray