Book Lovers Day is August 9. Today's independent bookstores aren't just places of commerce. They're destinations unto themselves. They have also taken on many of the roles that used to be reserved for civic and religious institutions. Bookstores are community gathering places, hubs for conversation between like-minded souls, lecture halls hosting inspiring and thought-provoking speeches, and vital lyceums for citizens to discuss the important issues of the day.
--Frommer's, "25 Independent Bookstores We Love"
As anticipation grows for Bookstore Romance Day on August 15 ("We want to meet your book boyfriend or girlfriend."), it can be easy to overlook another, unofficial annual celebration (one whose origin story is much less clear): Book Lovers Day, which happened again last Saturday.
I first wrote about it in 2021, asking: "So, do you have more ambitious plans for National Book Lovers Day.... No? What's that? You mean to tell me you've never heard of it?" BLD has gained momentum since then, especially among indie booksellers, who never need an excuse to celebrate the reading life, and share their thoughts about it on social media:
Shakespeare and Company, Paris, France: "Happy Book Lovers Day to all who celebrate!"
Gramercy Books, Bexley, Ohio: "Happy Book Lovers Day! We love being book lovers and we love being here in the community for all of you! I hope you treat yourself to a book today!"
Harvey's Tales, Geneva, Ill.: "Happy National Book Lovers Day! It's no secret that the Harvey's Tales team believes every day is book lovers day, but today is designated as a day to celebrate reading in whatever form you enjoy! We love being the shop you choose to buy your next book."
Midnights Bookshop, Lodi, Calif.: "Happy National Book Lovers Day! Today is basically our Super Bowl. Celebrate accordingly: start a new book, reread an old favorite, visit your local bookstore or library, and maybe add just one more book to your TBR. (We support this decision.) However you choose to celebrate, make some time for the stories you love. Happy reading, bookworms!"
Monstera's Books, Overland Park, Kan.: "It's National Book Lovers day, the perfect day to celebrate our favorite thing: Sharing the joy of books with all of you passionate readers.... Thanks for being our neighbor!"
Highland Books, Brevard, N.C.: "It's National Book Lovers Day! That's YOU! Thank you to all the book lovers out there who help support indie bookstores!... This day is for you."
Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn, N.Y.: "Book Lovers Day at Cafe con Libros! Give thanks Bookish Family."
Newtonville Books, Newton Centre, Mass.: "Happy Book Lovers' Day from your local book lovers! Read a book, buy a book, give a book, discover a book… etc! #shopsmall."
Boss Lady Books, Beaumont, Tex.: "To all the bookworms, book hoarders, 'just one more chapter' liars, and people who definitely don't need another book but buy one anyway... this one's for you! Thank you for supporting Boss Lady Books and letting us be part of your bookish lives. We love our book community more than words can say! Now go grab a book, get cozy, and READ! Happy Book Lovers Day, book besties."
Atticus Books & Music, Fountain Hills, Ariz.: "Today is National Book Lovers Day, and we know we're among friends. Book lovers understand that a 'quick look' can turn into an hour, that one more book is almost always reasonable, and that there is no such thing as too many stories. So tell us: What book would you recommend to another book lover today?"
Gay on Wye, Hay-on-Wye, England: "Happy National Book Lovers Day to everyone who's ever missed their stop, stayed up way too late 'just one more chapter,' or cried on public transport because of a heartbreaking story. Books give us somewhere to escape to, someone to see ourselves in, a whole world of people who get it. That's what today is about, not just the books themselves, but everything they bring, comfort, connection, community, and a bit of magic. And yes, as you can see, that's exactly what a good book does to us around here! We get full of joy, have a bit of a wiggle and properly giddy over a shelf of books.... We love being part of a community that shows up for stories and for each other, today and every day."
Whistler's Daughter Books, Ferndale, Mich.: "Happy Book Lovers Day from our family of book lovers to yours. Thank you to all the book lovers out there who help support indie bookstores. Today is for you."
The Pilgrim's Way Books & Secret Garden, Carmel, Calif.: "We celebrate you, dear readers. On National Book Lovers Day... we at Pilgrim's Way honor the quiet joy of losing yourself in a story, the comfort of well-worn pages, and the connections we find between the lines.... Your stories matter here."
Does Book Lovers Day matter? Just ask Little Blue Pigeon in Denver, Colo., which posted: "Friends, we are over the moon. Little Blue Pigeon Books just made @frommers list of 25 Independent Bookstores We Love--and we're in such good company alongside so many bookshops we adore ourselves. Having only opened our doors in April, this feels like proof that the little bookshop that could... can. But honestly?
"The real honor is you. Every single one of you who's walked through our doors, picked up a book, told a friend 'you have to read this,' brought someone new to meet us, showed up for an event, or just lingered a while among the shelves--you're the reason this little shop feels like home. Thank you, truly. And what better day to say it than National Book Lovers Day? Come see us today. Wander the shelves, get lost for a minute, and find your next favorite. We'll be here."