Independent Bookstore Day

Independent Bookstore Day lands on Saturday, April 25, with more than 2,000 bookstores set to mark the annual event in stores and online across the United States. (bookweb.org) The American Booksellers Association says the one-day promotion is now in its 13th year and takes place on the last Saturday in April. IndieBound’s event page describes it as a national celebration spanning all 50 states. (bookweb.org, indiebound.org) Book Riot told readers on April 22 that this year’s event is “this Saturday, April 25,” and pointed people to local stores for store-specific programming. IndieBound says participating shops typically add author appearances, live music, scavenger hunts, children’s activities and exclusive merchandise. (bookriot.com, indiebound.org) The push comes as bookstores try to turn a national reading holiday into foot traffic. World Book Night is observed on April 23 each year, and the Reading Agency says groups use it to stage book swaps, giveaways and other reading events around that date. (worldbookday.com, readingagency.org.uk) Independent Bookstore Day is built around the in-person store visit rather than a single national program. The American Booksellers Association says the celebration happens both online and in-store, while emphasizing bookstore-specific events and limited-edition items. (bookweb.org, indiebound.org) In Queens, Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens plans an April 25 program tied to a Queens bookstore crawl, according to QNS. The outlet said the store at 81-63 Lefferts Blvd. will offer a free “bookish surprise” and join other borough shops in the day’s promotions. (qns.com) The organizers are also using the day to sell event-only products. The American Booksellers Association’s countdown page says stores will carry Independent Bookstore Day exclusives, and IndieBound lists official merchandise and freebies among the annual draws. (bookweb.org, indiebound.org) That leaves Saturday as a local story repeated thousands of times: one national date, but a different program at each shop. Readers can find participating stores through IndieBound, then show up for whatever their neighborhood bookstore has planned. (indiebound.org, bookriot.com)