If you sensed a global bookish buzz in the air last Saturday, it may have come from the excitement surrounding Bookshop Day in the U.K., Love Your Bookshop Day in Australia and NZ Bookshop Day in New Zealand.
Emma Bradshaw, head of campaigns at the Booksellers Association of the U.K. & Ireland, told the Bookseller that the organization had been "thrilled with the buzz and excitement" around Bookshop Day this year, adding: "With events taking place in bookshops across the country, there really has been something for everyone. Our members never cease to impress us with their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to their communities. We want to offer our heartfelt thanks to publishers for their support and creativity, to all the authors, poets and illustrators who took part, and to all customers who choose to visit and shop at their local bookshop, on the day and beyond."
An American bookseller even got in on the fun. Michelle Tuplin, owner of Serendipity Books, Chelsea, Mich., posted on Facebook: "Since I'm in England, I just had to visit an indie bookshop on 'Bookshop Day,' the U.K. equivalent of the U.S. Independent Bookstore Day in April. I'm in Otley, so where better than The Bookshop on the Square, a sweet little indie in a classic Yorkshire market town? They even gave me chocolate!"
Here's a little sampling of #BookshopDay delights:
U.K.
Maldon Books, Maldon: "Wow! What a brilliant weekend we had celebrating #BookshopDay with you all! The biggest thank you to everyone who attended our event with Jacqueline Wilson. It was our first big event as a bookshop, and we were so pleased to see you all there! Our booksellers (and family members!) worked incredibly hard between the church and the bookshop all day, and we loved every minute of it!... We hope you enjoyed the weekend! It was just fantastic to see so many people both at the shop and the event, we couldn't stop smiling all day! Your support truly means the world to us, and to bookshops everywhere."
Booka Bookshop, Oswestry: "Big thanks to everyone who shopped with us today and across this week as we celebrated Bookshop Day and our 13th Birthday. We really appreciate all your support for our bookshop here in Os!"
Storyville Books, Pontypridd, Wales: "A huge DIOLCH YN FAWR to everyone who joined us today to celebrate the grand opening of our new children's room & event space. Thank you to our wonderful authors and illustrators for their brilliant sessions and to our very own Lucy for some fab storytelling! Happy #BookshopDay #diwrnodyllyfr Hapus!"
The Ivybridge Bookshop, Ivybridge: "Thank you to everyone who donated children's books for Ukrainian school Gravitas Schola, relocated from Kharkiv to Lithuania. Hundreds of books are now on their way via Trauma Informed Schools UK to the school children! A great way to celebrate #bookshopday."
Australia
Love Your Bookshop Day: "Wow, what an amazing #loveyourbookshopday Saturday was! We're still basking in the afterglow of #LYBD2022." And: "#LYBD2022 saw some incredible book (and bookshop) inspired costumes! What was your favourite?"
Matilda Bookshop, Stirling: "We had an absolutely fabulous Love Your Bookshop Day this past Saturday! Thank you so much to those who joined in the festivities and for the reciprocal bookshop love. Thanks to your generous support we raised enough money to put nearly 300 books in the hands of children in remote communities."
Robinsons Bookshop, Frankston: "Thank you all for coming to celebrate #LYBD22! Here are some photos from Saturday!"
Farrells Bookshop, Mornington: "A massive thank you to everyone who came to support us on Love Your Bookshop Day and to those who participated in the activities and prizes! 13 very happy winners have been notified and we can't wait for you all to enjoy your prizes!"
New Zealand
Wardini Books, Havelock North: "It's National Bookshop Day--hurray! Helen was the first customer in Havelock North and got waaaaaaay more than she bargained for. A free book (Isaac and the Egg--one of Lou and Phoebe's books of the year--thank you, Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand), a Tarquin the Honest Coloring Competition entry form and a bookmark hunt entry to win $500 of Booksellers Aotearoa NZ vouchers. It's not even 9 a.m.! There's a sale table too so come on down and say happy Bookshop Day--you never know what might happen."
The Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop, Auckland: "Some highlights from #NZBookshopDay--Book Feast. Thanks to amazing authors @gracikimwrites @glenn.colquhoun @heatherhaylock_author @kateparker.nz and singer @claudiarobingunn. And thanks to all the lovely people who came to listen to stories and songs and celebrate all things bookish!
The Martinborough Bookshop, Mast: "What a huge weekend we had! Bookshop Day, Bookshop Hopping, Bookmark Hunting, Book Launching, customers from near and far all happy and smiling in the beautiful sunshine. Thank goodness I had help from No.1 Granddaughter. Ilah worked her feet off over three days, served customers, ran errands, put the signs out, brought the signs in, priced books, went for coffee and never stopped smiling. Aged 11. I hope everyone who shopped with us had as much fun as we did!"