Independent Bookstore Day, falling on the last Saturday in April for the 11th year, is a national one-day party celebrating independent bookstores across the country both online and in-store. Through exclusive books and literary items, contests, cupcakes, and different events — such as a trail navigating more than 20 indie stores through BookTrib’s home state of Connecticut, which is known for more than just college basketball — it’s a time to salute these institutions for their valuable contributions to the literary landscape.
To help commemorate the day, BookTrib asked a number of our author friends to tell us about their favorite indie bookstore:
GRAB A MEMORY MAN: “Mark and Donna Kaufman, the owners of Story and Song Bookstore in Fernandina Beach, FL, have built a fantastic venue for book, music, art, and foodie lovers (their café features the Memory Man sandwich). They also run workshops that teach people how to successfully run bookstores. I gave one such group a pep talk. Mark and Donna are a dream team in the world of books and readers.”
— David Baldacci, Bestselling Author
A COZY “CORNER”: “I absolutely love The Corner Bookstore at 93rd and Madison in New York. They’re so helpful, have a great selection, will quickly get you any book they don’t have in stock, and the space is utterly charming. They also do great author events (I’ve spoken there several times), at which they serve wine and cheese. Who does that anymore?”
— Kate White, Bestselling Author
YOU’VE GOT MALL: “My favorite independent bookstore is Wakefield Books at the Wakefield Mall in Wakefield, RI. I’ve been doing events at that store for around 30 years, back to when it was a Waldenbooks. And, in addition to the success and fun I’ve had there, that’s the reason it’s my favorite. I owe my success, to a great extent, to mall-based bookstores. And when they went away, my sales, and overall career, suffered mightily. Wakefield Books, a mall-based indie, is truly a near one-of-a-kind thanks to what it represents of the past and how it’s thriving in the present.”
— Jon Land, Bestselling Author
I’VE HEARD THAT NAME BEFORE: “Growing up, all my books came from Anderson’s Books in Larchmont, NY, and I have such fond memories of nurturing my early love of reading in the corners of the shop. By the time I published my first novel, I happened to be living in a different community, all the way across the country, but with the same name! Larchmont Village, in Los Angeles, is home to the city’s oldest indie bookshop, Chevalier’s, a true anchor in the neighborhood, helmed by a friendly and thoughtful team. I’m so grateful that no matter where I move, I manage to find an excellent bookstore nearby.”
— Nikki Erlick, Bestselling Author, The Measure
CAT ON THE COUNTER: “My favorite indie store is The Bookplate in Chestertown, MD. Housed in a historic building downtown, the store has room after room of immaculately organized new and vintage books. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, as is the cat who is often washing a paw on the counter. Staunch supporters of local artists, The Bookplate generously hosted a standing-room-only book release event for me in December offering wine and great fun. I’m a fan!”
— Wendy Eckel, Author, Mystery at Windswept Farm and Killer in a Winter Wonderland
BEWARE THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN: “Transom Books is a cozy neighborhood shop in Tarrytown, NY, that captures the eclectic vibe of this wonderful village. Proprietor Chris Steib was the first to carry my debut novel, Killer Motives, set in the world-famous Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown. The store holds an impressive selection— bestsellers to classics to undiscovered works — with a section of local books on the region’s fascinating history and folklore. And you may even run into the Headless Horseman.”
— Bonnie Traymore, Author, The Stepfamily, Headcase, The Guest House, Killer Motives and Loose Ends
“HELLO, BOOKSTORE”: “Walk into The Bookstore in Lenox, MA, and you will see owner Matt Tannenbaum chatting with customers. After the movie “Hello, Bookstore,” the documentary about it, the store has become a booklovers’ destination, readers traveling miles to experience the store cherished for over 40 years. I always visit with specific titles to purchase. Be warned, potential customer, you will leave with twice as many! It’s the store, the owner, the staff. You never stood a chance.”
— Jean Moore, Author, Tilda’s Promise, Water on the Moon, and Time’s Tyranny
WRITING LEGEND SEEKS A SIGNED COPY: “There are so many wonderful independent bookstores. But, if I’m forced to pick a favorite, it has to be my hometown one: The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City. I’ve held several book launch events there, been featured in their crime clubs and received tremendous support over the years. Maybe my favorite moment happened recently when they said one of their longtime supporters had asked for a signed copy of my latest book. Who do I make it out to, I asked? Michael Connelly. Yes, that Michael Connelly. How can you not love a store like that?”
— R.G. Belsky, Author, The Clare Carlson Mystery Series
BIRTHDAY BUDDIES: “Breathing life into Danbury, CT’s old Union Carbide complex, now known as The Summit, is The BookSmiths Shoppe. Opened just over a year ago by consummate book lover Michelle Smith, what started as a gem of an idea has grown into a goldmine for readers searching for a classic, a bestseller, or the perfect gift. What did I discover? It’s easy to find. Free parking. And a friend who shares my birthday! What better sign!”
— Valerie Taylor, Author, A Whale of a Murder, What’s Not Said, What’s Not True and What’s Not Lost
CORNERED AGAIN: “My favorite independent small biz bookstore is The Corner Bookstore on 92nd and Madison in New York. They actually had a book signing for me when my first book came out, and they believe in promoting new authors. The owner, Chris, is one the last bookshop owners (that I know of) who believes in writing for the sake of writing. The bookshop looks like Argosy Book Shop in Hitchcock’s Vertigo.”
— Kip Langton, Author, Hell of Hosanna
STILL IN THE FAMILY SINCE 1946: “I would like to celebrate The Three Arts Bookstore in Poughkeepsie, NY. How many bookstores can boast about opening in 1946 and remaining in the family to this date? Not many. It is an intimate, sliver of a bookstore, not much wider than a school bus, but it is crammed with copies of every book imaginable, including mine. And Walter, the current owner, delivers my orders to my front door. Who can beat that?”
— Jodé Millman, Author, The Midnight Call, The Empty Kayak, Hooker Avenue
THE PAST WRAPPING AROUND YOUR SHOULDERS: “For me, it’s Mitchell’s Book Corner on Nantucket island. The historic brick building is perched on cobblestoned Main Street, and the minute you walk inside you feel both the past wrapping around your shoulders and the waiting adventures of the stories packed into the tall bookcases. A cozy but colorful first floor bursts with the latest and greatest, while narrow stairs wind up to the second floor where cozy chairs, tall windows and sunny corners beckon. Bookstore perfection!”
— Janet Sherlund, Author, Abandoned at Birth
BOOK LOVERS ARE GOOD PEOPLE: “I have used my local independent bookstore as retail therapy for years. When I need a little treat, a new story to get lost in, or a new perspective to consider, strolling through the aisles of Books Inc. in Palo Alto, CA, always scratches that itch. Walking through the door, I instantly feel like I’m among friends. Book lovers are good people. And now, to see my book shining on their shelves leaves this humble author with no words.”
—Daniella Dayoub Forrest, Author, Own Your Wellness
