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Updated: April 2026
Some of my best early memories involve books.
The smell of them. The touch. Turning those pages and brushing my fingers along the spines. It was a young word-lovers ritual.
So was saving up my “hard-earned” money to buy them. I would save my allowances each week until they were enough to purchase a new book and then my mom would, willingly, drive me to the bookstore to pick one out.
I’ve supported bookstores all my life because they have supported me. They offer me the books I so love, filled with characters and worlds that I can only imagine. They offer wonder and delights that are only to be found within the pages of a book.
In 2026, April 25th is Independent Bookstore Day. What’s that, you may ask? It’s an annual celebration of indie bookshops around the United States. You read that right. It’s people coming together around the entire country to support independent bookstores and a deep love of books, community, and local business. It’s…only one of the best things, ever?
Their tagline is: One day. Fifty states. 2000+ bookstores.
Pretty cool tidbit? Last year it was 1600+ bookstores. The movement is growing!
And this year, it’s the 13th anniversary of the book-lovers holiday. Not only that? They’ve snagged the one and only LeVar Burton as the official Indie Bookstore Ambassador. Because, LeVar Burton and books are synonymous. Obviously.
For many Indie Bookstores, this is one of the biggest, most important days of the year for their continued operation and success, and they need our support.
Support your own local bookstore:
- Support them by buying a book. That’s why they exist and nothing makes them more pleased than providing a book to someone who wants it. If possible do it in person, but if not? Buy online. Those sales matter too. Don’t need a book right now? Buy a gift card for a rainy day or as a gift.
- Join an event. Many bookshops are hosting their own. You can find participating stores here.
- Follow your bookstore on social media. Even better, share their posts on a regular basis! Engage with them by leaving comments. Make friends with your bookstore, because life is too short and honestly? Bookstore people are some of the best people. Like library people. Helping to spread the word is half the battle for a small business. You can also follow @americanbooksellers on Instagram to stay up-to-date and support Indies around the country.
- Spread the word and share the fun with the hashtag #indiebookstoreday when you post on social media about your bookstore stop(s). Literary selfies encouraged!
- Prefer audio? Or an ebook? No problem. Many small, indie bookstores have these options! Check them out, here.
And because I can’t help it, here are some words about bookstores for those word-lovers among us:
“I love walking into a bookstore. It’s like all my friends are sitting on shelves, waving their pages at me.” ~ Tahereh Mafi
“You see, bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.” ~ Jen Campbell
“Browsing through the shelves in bookstores or libraries, I was completely happy.” ~ Louis L’Amour
“Don’t patronize the chain bookstores. Every time I see some author scheduled to read and sign his books at a chain bookstore, I feel like telling him he’s stabbing the independent bookstores in the back.” ~ Lawrence Ferlinghetti
“His hands were weak and shaking from carrying far too many books from the bookshop. It was the best feeling.” ~ Joseph Gordon-Levitt
~
One of my favorite things to do!!
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