A massive shout out to all our independent bookshops. You're the lifeblood of your towns, the heartbeat of your high streets, the hardest working, most committed retailers I know. You make a HUGE difference to culture and society. You rock.
--Meryl Halls, managing director of the Booksellers Association, celebrating Independent Bookshop Week
Someday, I'd like to spend Independent Bookshop Week on a tour of booksellers in the U.K. and Ireland. As it happens, we're currently in the midst of IBW 2024 (June 15-22) and I'm not there, so once again I must celebrate vicariously.
Launched in 2006, IBW "aims to highlight the vital role independent bookshops play in their communities, and to encourage consumers to shop for their summer reads with their local independent." More than 700 independent bookshops are registered to participate. Hachette UK is the headline sponsor, with support from Gardners and Nielsen BookData.
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| At Bert's Books, Swindon | |
Among the annual IBW highlights is the BA's invitation to a well-known poet to write a bespoke poem, then perform the work in their local bookshop. This year's poem is from George Mpanga (aka George the Poet), who performed it at New Beacon Bookshop in London.
Another highlight of IBW is the announcement of the annual Indie Book Awards winners. Indie booksellers vote on the submitted titles to create the shortlist, then a panel of judges decides the four category winners:
Fiction: Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang
Nonfiction: The Golden Mole and Other Vanishing Treasure by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Talya Baldwin
Children's Fiction: Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan
Picture Book: The Dress in the Window by Robert Tregoning, illustrated by Pippa Curnick
The Nielson BookData blog celebrated IBW with a post comparing independent bookstore bestsellers versus the wider market, noting: "The variety in titles featured even just at the top of the indie chart, and the differences to the overall market, highlight how important bookshops are in championing books beyond the overall bestsellers. And what better time than Independent Bookshop Week to go discover your next favorite read or hidden gem!"
Of course the most important IBW players are the booksellers themselves. In lieu of an in-person tour this year, I had to settle for scanning #IndependentBookshopWeek social media posts. Here are some highlights:
Simply Books, Bramhall: "It's officially Independent Bookshop Week! We were rushed off our feet in the shop on day one, and look forward to a fun rest of the week!"
The Book Shop, Bridport: "We are all set for Independent Bookshop Week!"
Westbourne Bookshop, Westbourne: "Today marks the start of Indie Bookshop Week! Thanks for always showing us so much love and supporting small businesses. Y'all are the best. Looking forward to another fun filled Saturday."
Maldon Books, Maldon: "We love celebrating this special week with you and independent bookshops everywhere!... Lots of love to our fellow bookshops and booksellers, and to @booksaremybag and the BA for such a brilliant campaign. Have a wonderful week."
The Ginger Cat Children's Bookshop, Bridge of Weir, Scotland: "The bunting is up and we're ready to go! We couldn't run the bookshop without our wonderfully loyal customers, thank you for choosing to shop local and for supporting our little bookshop."
Lindum Books, Lincoln: "This #IndieBookshopWeek be more #TheBookshopWoman. Stock up at your local indie bookshop, then settle down for a cosy read...."
The Book Nook, Stewarton, Scotland: "Preparations are well underway at The Book Nook for our mini book festival running throughout Independent Bookshop Week. We will be welcoming 8 wonderful authors to our events this week and some special guests too. All attendees at our events will be taking home one of these goodie bags, including a voucher for a £5 National Book Token and a £10 off voucher--a gift from The Mill House!"
Our Bookshop in Tring: "Shout out to a fellow indie #TheMargateBookshop. They opened about the same time as us, and they are thriving in the beautiful seaside town."
The Reading Room, Melrose, Scotland: "A week to celebrate independent bookshops and to show your support! I wanted to say a very big thank you to all our customers and supporters of The Reading Room--we couldn't do this without you!"
St. Helens Book Stop, St. Helens: "Indie Bookshop Week officially begun over the weekend and what a great start it's been! To celebrate, we'll be creating a brand new display every day so pop in and have a look what we have in store for you!"
The Halesworth Bookshop, Halesworth: "While out on my travels to Framlingham, and as it's #indiebookshopweek2024 I called in at two super duper indie bookshops: @ottieandthebea @framlingham_bookshop. Happy Independent Bookshop Week Indies. A pleasure to visit you."
The Bookshop, East Grinstead: "The morning started with Helen on Radio Sussex explaining what Indie Book Week is all about--and now there's lots of 'stuff' going on at the shop--freebies, giveaways, beautiful bookshop editions with sprayed edges and/or signed by the author!"
Lucky Hare Books, Ampthill, which had previously announced it would open June 15 ("the perfect date as it coincides with the start of Independent Bookshop week"), posted on Saturday: "Wow! Wow! Wow! What a day!!!! We have been BLOWN AWAY by the love and support we received from everyone--we really can't thank you enough. It has been magical, uplifting and INCREDIBLY busy--despite the rain. Truly a dream come true. We have more photos to come but for now will leave you with this one of two exhausted but very happy booksellers! Cheers!"