Bookstore Romance Day was celebrated by more than 600 indie stores across the country, as well as seven in Canada and one in Australia, especially the ever-growing ranks of romance bookstores, probably the single-most popular type of bookstore opening in the last several years. Festivities included virtual events that celebrated and explored many aspects of love and romance in such sessions as Love Is Queer, Toy Story, Booksellers Recommend: Favorite Romances for Holiday Giving, and more. Wide-ranging in-store celebrations included warm and fuzzy displays, blind date with a book offerings, games and story times for all ages, crafting (so much glitter!), romance specials, signings, even pet adoption (who says your soul mate has to be human?)--so much that readers' hearts desired. And Libro.fm offered a romance audiobook sale that ends August 20.
"We LOVE our new window art!" Miss Willa's Bookshop, Charles Town, W.Va., posted on Facebook. The store was so busy throughout Bookstore Romance Day that it handed out wristbands for timed store entry that also provided discounts to nearby businesses.
Ruby's Books, Folsom, Calif., made swiping fun again with a dating app-themed display. Readers could swipe through profiles to find a bookseller with similar favorite genres and interests. Once they found their perfect bookseller, they could select a blind date book chosen by their match. The store reported, "Folks were waiting at the door when we opened and had us madly wrapping even more books all day long!"
At Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Tex.: "Romance displays and staff picks. Our booksellers are excited to share personalized recommendations and hand flail over favorites!" Specials for the day included selected pre-order discounts, free stickers and swag, and the bookstore's heart-shaped sticky note tradition: customers place a note on their favorite books to guide others.
A Seat at the Table Books, Elk Grove, Calif, hosted Persephone's Ball, a drag show highlighting a glam underworld of gods and goddesses. Among the performers were host Dolly Romano, drag king Billy Freak, and Sister Siren (aka bookseller/singer Alisa Rose), pictured with store owner Emily Autenrieth.
Bookstore Romance Day at Buzy Beez Bookstore, Summit, Miss., featured a full day of activities, including themed bingo and trivia, and ended with a 12-hour reading challenge that began at 9 p.m.