Booklovers rejoice!
This Saturday marks the return of Independent Bookstore Day, with nearly two-dozen stores participating in Western Washington, including one each in Queen Anne and Magnolia.
Magnolia’s Bookstore (3206 W. McGraw St.) will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offer snacks throughout the day, along with free advanced readers’ copies with all purchases. The store is also raffling off signed copies of the "Amulet" series by local author Kazu Kibuishi.
Queen Anne Book Company (1811 Queen Anne Ave. N.) will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with children’s story time at noon featuring “Larry Gets Lost,” while the authors of “Nasty Women Project: Voices from the Resistance” will be in-store at 2:30 p.m. There will also be a “Blind Date with a Book” game happening on Queen Anne, with 30 invitations hidden randomly throughout neighborhood businesses. One invitation means one free “blind date book” of your choice.
For the most diehard bookstore supporters with a completely open Saturday, a challenge awaits. Customers who visit all 19 stores and get a stamp on their bookstore passport (Third Place Books, Liberty Bay Books, and University Book Store all have multiple locations, but require a stamp from just one) from each retailer can turn it in at their final stop, and receive the “Indie Bookstore Champ” prize of 25 percent off all year at all stores. The "champion cards" will be awarded at a party this spring, details yet to be determined.
Customers who visit at least three stores and turn in their passport are entered to win gift cards, first edition books, and other prizes. Winners will be notified after drawings take place.
For more information, including a map and full list of participating stores, visit www.facebook.com/SEABookstoreDay.