Stores are gearing up for Bookstore Romance Day in exciting ways, expanding on previous successful celebrations. Last year, Meghan Molinari, from Lark & Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, Tex., "hosted a book bedazzling night with six local romance authors, and it was such a fun and casual event full of crafts and laughs!" This year, Lark & Owl is hosting a launch event for local author Gillian Eliza West's new novel, When the Universe Sings, and "giving away romance ARCs throughout the day and offering signed copies of our favorite romance novels!"
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| Last year at pages: a bookstore, Manhattan Beach, Calif. | |
Last year to celebrate Bookstore Romance Day, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va., hosted an author meet and greet with romance author Olivia Dade, which "drew a huge crowd," Kelly Justice noted. This year, the store plans to partner with a local pop-up shop to have a treat on hand for customers, host an author meet and greet as well as "blind date book giveaways and new dreamy cardboard cutouts for photo ops! It should be a fun, busy day for romance lovers!"
Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Tex., is preparing a host of activities for Bookstore Romance Day that include romance displays and staff picks. "Our booksellers are excited to share personalized recommendations and hand flail over favorites," Cathy Berner explained. Other activities include ARC giveaways, partnering with other local businesses, pre-order specials and "our heart-shaped sticky note tradition: customers guide others to their next great read by placing a heart-shaped sticky note on your favorite books on our shelves."
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| Last year outside Unabridged Bookstore, Chicago, Ill. | |
Love's Sweet Arrow in Tinley Park, Ill., is offering "a panel on spice levels, authors in to sign and greet readers, and then some sweet treats to go with our set customers" to celebrate the day, said Roseann Backlin.
Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tenn., hosts a wide range of activities for the day. Katie Garaby stated that in the morning Parnassus hosts its "beloved love-themed story time for the kiddos" followed by two events that benefit nonprofits: "Bead Nash," a nonprofit bracelet company whose proceeds go to supporting local queer nonprofits, and a local florist, Dogwood and Dandelion, for a "bouquet bar" in the afternoon to celebrate. "We'll also be hiding two three-month subscriptions to Love, Parnassus for customers to find," Garaby added. In the evening, Garaby is hosting a PowerPoint event called, "Love Is the Point" a romance-themed night where romance lovers can pitch their hottest takes on the genre in under five minutes. "I'm hoping to do one called 'From Bookworm to Biker's Old Lady: How to Join a Fictional Motorcycle Club," she added. --Coco Zephir