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| #CIBD2023 art by Alex MacAskill | |
"Today has been incredible. Thanks for helping us show indies how much we appreciate them," the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association posted on Facebook Saturday as Canadian Independent Bookstore Day was winding down. CIBA noted that the annual celebration brings readers, writers, illustrators, publishers, and other industry supporters together to celebrate indie bookstores across Canada while "advocating for independent businesses, supporting a flourishing bookselling community, and investing in Canadian culture."
"A big part of it is both thanking our customers for shopping locally and also celebrating and raising awareness of the role that bookstores play in communities," Jessica Walker, managing partner of Munro's Books, Victoria, B.C., and CIBA v-p, told CBC Books.
This year, CIBA commissioned artwork from Canadian artist and illustrator Alex MacAskill to help celebrate #CIBD2023. MacAskill's illustration is a bright and dynamic ode to the role that indies play in their communities. Another highlight was the "Dancing in Bookstores" initiative, which saw dancers celebrate Dance Day x Independent Bookstore Day in local bookshops across the country.
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| Dancing in Bookstores! | |
"Curious about our 'top secret project?' " Entershine Bookshop, Thunder Bay, Ont., noted in a Facebook post. "Well the secret is out! Dance Day and Independent Bookstore Day fall on the same day this year, so dancers and bookstores have collaborated to celebrate this special day! We had the honour of having Cassidy J. come in to dance in light of Dancers and Independent Bookstores across Canada. Thank you, Cassidy for sharing your moves!"
Bestselling Canadian author Louise Penny paid tribute to CIBD in a Facebook post: "It's Independent Bookstore Day in Canada! Thank you to all the booksellers, everywhere, who handsell, and recommend, and are passionate about books. Who take the time to get to know their clients. And who put on great book events! You, and the support of librarians, are what made the Gamache books a success. And fun to promote! Thank you, especially, to Danny and Lucy at the great Brome Lake Books [Knowlton, Que.]! I love you guys."
Many Canadian indies shared their #CIBD2023 fun on social media, including:
Upstart and Crow, Vancouver, B.C.: "It's here! Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is upon us! Come stop by for a visit today; it'd mean a lot to us.... CIBD has a huge impact on our sales; sales that help this indie literary studio run programs like our writer in residences, in translation book clubs, library partnerships and more. We LOVE this day that is all about community."
The Book Wardrobe, Mississauga, Ont.: "The comeback of the Canadian independent bookstore!!! Thank you, all, for making it a SOLD OUT book launch for Lily Chu's The Comeback on Canadian Independent Bookstore Day!"
Librairie Saga, Montreal, Que.: "Canadian Independent Bookstores Day is today!!! Contests, free goodies (even chocolate bars!), good humor and fantastic books!"
Bookmark, Charlottetown, P.E.I.: "What a day! Speechless, appreciative, and humbled! CIBD2023 is over and what a day it was @bookmarkpei. We set new records for the day, felt incredibly loved by all the kind comments shared with us throughout the day, and are humbled by the support given to us.... We love our community and thank everyone who helped make the day a success."
Turning the Tide Bookstore, Saskatoon, Sask.: "#IndieBookstoreDay is today! We open at 10--the first 50 customers get a free gourmet @darksidedonuts donut which are out-of-this-world delicious. See you here for book discounts, swag, and authors...."
Glass Bookshop, Edmonton, Alb.: "Happy Canadian Independent Bookstore Day! We are so thankful for all the support and love you shower us with, and we're so excited to celebrate with you!... And sending love to all our dreamy indie pals! Have such a fun day!"
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| Blue Heron Books | |
Blue Heron Books, Uxbridge, Ont.: "A big 'Thank You' to everyone who celebrated Independent Bookstore Day with us yesterday! We hope you're spending this rainy day curled up with a good book."
Beggar's Banquet Books, Gananoque, Ont.: "We just wanted to take a minute to thank all our customers from near and far who came to visit us yesterday for Canadian Independent Bookstore Day 2023. Because of you we had our busiest day since just before Christmas last year and attendance was up well over 50% from last year with our sales being nearly double last year's!! THANK YOU!!!!! Also want to thank the CIBA for pulling everything together to make this day so special!"