Independent Bookstore Day is celebrated each year on the last Saturday in April here in the U.S. It’s a national day to celebrate and shop at your local independently owned bookstore. Many bookstores host large and small events around the country. As a thank-you to loyal customers who support independent booksellers, bookstores plan in-store events and stock exclusive books and literary items that you can only get on that day. Not before. Not after. And not online.
My daughter and I are planning to visit a couple of local bookstores in our area like Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore and River Bend Bookshop.
Online retailers like Bookshop.org are also getting in on the fun! This weekend only they are offering FREE shipping!
Use my code HWR on Libro.fm to take advantage of their audiobook offer. You will receive a free audiobook when you start a new monthly membership. You’ll get two audiobooks for the price of one, $14.99. US and Canada only. Libro.fm is also celebrating Independent Bookstore Day by having a limited-time sale on a special selection of bestselling audiobooks, offered 4/25-5/1.
If you’re looking to support indie alternatives in your literary life, Libro.fm put together a guide for books, audiobooks, e-books, book discovery, and beyond!
I’m also excited about the return of the CT Bookstore Passport!
Here’s how it works:
Visit all 17 participating bookstores over the weekend to win a Passport Prize, a 20% coupon from each store (some exclusions apply) and be entered into a Grand Prize raffle. Five (5) people will be drawn at random to win a Grand Prize of a $50 gift card from EACH store. That’s an incredible $850 in books!!
No purchase necessary, just stop in to all 17 stores during bookstore hours and get your stamp. It’s a furiously fun way to spend a weekend with books, book lovers and booksellers!
BONUS: If you’re unable to visit 17 bookstores in 2 days, but still want to explore some of Connecticut’s fabulous indie bookstores you’re in luck!
Finish your passport by Monday, September 5 (Labor Day) and you’ll be entered to win our Slow & Steady prize – one (1) prize of a $20 gift card to EACH participating store.
Need a list of the participating Connecticut bookstores?
Athena Books
228 Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich
Bank Square Books
53 W Main Street, Mystic
Barrett Bookstore
6 Corbin Drive, Darien
Bennett’s Books
171 Main Street, Deep River
Book Trader Cafe
1140 Chapel St. New Haven
Byrd’s Books
178 Greenwood Ave. Bethel
Elm Street Books
35 Elm Street New Canaan
Goods & Curiosities, The Griswold Inn Store
47 Main Street, Essex
Harbor Books
146 Main Street, Old Saybrook
House of Books
10 North Main Street, Kent
River Bend Bookshop
2217 Main Street, Glastonbury
RJ Julia Booksellers
768 Boston Post Road, Madison
The Hickory Stick Bookshop
2 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot
The Key Bookstore
1429 Park St, ST 214, Hartford
Turning The Page
477 Main Street, Monroe
Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
413 Main Street, Middletown
Your turn: Are you ready to BOOK your Road Trip? How do you celebrate Independent Bookstore Day?
