Love Your Bookshop Day

Love Your Bookshop Day is a celebration of bookshops and the significant role they play in fostering a love for reading and supporting local communities. The observance aims to promote the importance of brick-and-mortar bookstores, reminding individuals of the unique space these shops offer for browsing and discovering new books, as well as connecting book lovers, creators, and enthusiasts. This day highlights the personal relationships bookshops help to cultivate between readers, authors, and the wider literary scene.

The idea of celebrating bookshops started in the United States with Independent Bookstore Day that began in California in 2014. The Australian Booksellers Association then initiated Love Your Bookshop Day in Australia in 2016, encouraging Australians to reconnect with their local bookshops and appreciate the contribution these shops make to the country's cultural landscape. This celebration has quickly become an iconic nationwide event, with bookshops all over Australia joining in to host various activities and engage with their communities.

Love Your Bookshop Day is observed by participating bookshops hosting a range of events that may include author visits, readings, book launches, and children's activities. Many stores offer exclusive merchandise, discounts, and competitions to attract customers and share the love of reading. Customers also show support by sharing their experiences on social media, using the hashtag #LoveYourBookshopDay. Love Your Bookshop Day takes place annually on the second Saturday of August.