Independent Bookstore Day roundup

Independent Bookstore Day lands on Saturday, April 25, with more than 2,000 independent bookstores signed up for the 13th annual national event. (bookweb.org, bookweb.org) The American Booksellers Association says the one-day promotion now spans all 50 states and U.S. territories, up from about 1,600 participating stores in 2025. Bookstores are planning in-store events, exclusive merchandise and limited-edition books to drive foot traffic. (publishersweekly.com, bookweb.org) In Seattle, 33 stores are taking part in a regional bookstore crawl tied to the national event, with shoppers getting 10 days, through May 4, to complete the challenge. Phinney Books is among the participants as it approaches its 12th birthday. (kuow.org, parentmap.com) In Madison, 12 bookstores are joining with hidden golden tickets, a commemorative art print and raffle entries for $25 and $50 gift cards tied to each stop on the local crawl. Lake City Books said the citywide event comes as the store prepares to move across Capitol Square this summer. (channel3000.com, lakecitybooks.com) In Queens, Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens is hosting its own April 25 celebration and a Queens bookstore crawl from its shop at 81-63 Lefferts Boulevard. The store described the day as a way to highlight small businesses as neighborhood community spaces. (qns.com, bookevents.nyc) The turnout comes after a strong showing at the bookselling industry’s Winter Institute in Pittsburgh in February. The American Booksellers Association says the conference attracts more than 900 booksellers, while trade coverage of the 2026 event put total attendance near 1,000 and broader participation around 1,500 including publishers and vendors. (bookweb.org, insights.netgalley.com, publishersweekly.com) Independent Bookstore Day started as a California promotion in 2014 and is now held on the last Saturday in April. The American Booksellers Association presents it as a national sales and marketing push for stores that compete on staff picks, events and local loyalty rather than scale. (bookweb.org, indiebound.org) Seattle bookseller Tom Nissley told KUOW that online retail cannot replace the in-person experience, saying, “Amazon can never be us.” On April 25, bookstores across the country will test that argument with door prizes, passports and crowded aisles. (kuow.org, bookweb.org)