Come about the third week of April, music nerds around the country go giddy for Record Store Day. I'm guilty for sure. I love all the cool special releases on vinyl, new collections of b-sides, or that sweet Euro-bootleg that lives only in legend. But for avid readers out there, you don't have to feel left out at all, because April 28th is National Bookstore Day.

Annually, on the last Saturday in April, folks around the country can assail their local bookstore and indulge in purchasing all the sweet special releases that come around just on this day. it's not unlike Record Store Day in that way. And also in that it celebrates all the independent bookstores out there trying to make a go of it against all the giant chain stores that constantly threaten to take the life out of everything fun.

Here's a bit of background from the Bookstore Day Facebook page:

Independent Bookstore Day takes place on the last Saturday in April at more than 450 bookstores nationwide. IBD harnesses the creative power of authors, publishers, and booksellers to celebrate the reading community and drive readers to brick and mortar bookstores.

 

For one day, and one day only, a number of very limited, unique, word-based items and books will be available exclusively at independent stores across the country. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill signed first editions—these are literature-based art projects, unique books, and collector’s items created for this event only.

 

You can’t get them before. You can’t get them after. And you can’t get them online. IBD is produced by The Northern California Independent Booksellers Association with support from the American Booksellers Association, Ingram, and Penguin Random House.

So as you can see, it's there for readers of all genres, age groups, etc, to have a day that fully celebrates who they are. And what a great opportunity to give back to your local bookstore. In this day and age, small local businesses need all the help they can get. Some local shops you can go to are Bull Moose, Pro Libris, Gerald Winters and Son, and The Briar Patch. I guarantee they'd all love to see you!

So if on the 28th of this month you find yourself out and about and looking to do some fun, low-pressure shopping, hit your local bookstore. Meet the owners, find something new and fun to read. Feed your mind. And best of all.... open up that new book and just escape.

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