Three Charleston bookstores will participate in this year’s Independent Bookstore Day, which takes place at indie bookstores across the nation on the last Saturday in April, an effort to bring together readers and authors to celebrate and uplift independent bookstores.
At Itinerant Literate Books in North Charleston, this day boasts its biggest event of the year with fun bookish events and special in-store promotions.
Itinerant Literate Marketing Manager, Danielle Raub said supporting independent bookstores is “so important,” and not just for the obvious reasons like supporting the local economy.
“Bookstores bring people together and make us feel connected. Especially now, we need that more than ever. People can make worthwhile friendships over books, meeting people at events and exchanging shared interests. Bookstores are just a great way to do that.”
Itinerant Literate’s murder mystery party
The all-day celebration at Itinerant Literate is mystery themed this year, so the author panel will feature writers of thriller, crime and mystery: AF Winter, Joan Brady, Brad Crowther and Shayla C. Freeman. There’s also a family-friendly mysterious storytime, a book swap, and from 7 until 10 p.m., a ticketed murder mystery party.
“We’re going to solve a mystery — you’ll uncover clues and unravel secrets,” Raub said. “When you buy a ticket, we’ll assign you a character, and then there’s light snacks and people are encouraged to BYOB. It’s going to be a ton of fun.”
Learn more at itinerantliteratebooks.com.
Buxton Books celebrates with custom poems
Buxton Books will celebrate the day with fun photo ops and custom typewritten poems by two local poets: From 1 until 2 p.m., get a custom poem from Jammie Huynh, and from 2:30 to 3:30, Poet Laureate Asiah Mae takes over the typewriter.
There’s also social media giveaways via Instagram and a hidden “Golden Ticket” in the store — find it and receive 12 free audiobooks through Libro.fm.
Learn more at buxtonbooks.com.
Philosophers & Fools’ first bookstore day
The recently-opened downtown bookstore-bar Philosophers & Fools will also participate in special deals and shopping bonuses for its first ever bookstore day celebration. Owners Jenny Ferrara and Michael Bourke opened P&F in March to create a cozy, neighborhood spot where book lovers can meet up and chat over wine, coffee and a selection of 5,000 plus titles. They said they hope you’ll spend indie bookstore day at Philosophers & Fools and connect with fellow readers.
Learn more at philosophersandfools.com.
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