Books on the Common will join independent bookstores across the country for parties, poetry readings, book signings, and exclusive day-of merchandise on Saturday, May 2.
Independent Bookstore Day is modeled after last year’s successful California Bookstore Day.
Books on the Common co-owner Ellen Burns said she and her staff will be on hand for a day full of activities: story time and craft activity for kids, poetry readings by Ridgefield High School students and customers (emceed by Ira Joe Fisher, who will also sign his own books of poetry), and homemade treats from some of the staff’s favorite cookbooks. The afternoon will feature a book signing with award-winning cartoonist and author Roz Chast from 1 to 3 p.m., raffles, special discounts on some favorite books, and a toast to the joys of reading with wine and Prosecco.
“We’re pleased to be able to participate in this exciting and fun national event. It’s a way to celebrate the importance of reading, and the endurance of the book in our lives” said Burns.
Sixteen books and art pieces for Independent Bookstore Day 2015 will be available only at participating bookstores, only on May 2. Items include a signed, original Chris Ware print; a signed chapbook of original essays by the best-selling author of Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay; a literary map of the seas; a color broadside from Stephen King’s forthcoming novel Finders Keepers; an original signed, Captain Underpants print; and a signed David McCandless infographic poster.
The first national Independent Bookstore Day is sponsored in part by Penguin Random House and the American Booksellers Association. “It’s a privilege for Penguin Random House to be the first publisher sponsor of Independent Bookstore Day, and we are excited about supporting it in a variety of ways, including author appearances and specially created merchandise that celebrates the event,” said Jaci Updike, president of sales for Penguin Random House U.S. “It’s a fantastic and festive way to bring new readers into bookstores, and to strengthen relationships with existing customers.”
“The entire purpose of Bookstore Day is to celebrate our collective success and thank our customers and the community of readers,” said Independent Bookstore Day program director Samantha Schoech. “For so long, the message about indie bookstores was all doom and gloom, but the truth is, there are more indie bookstores this year than last, and more last year than the year before that. Independent bookstores are actually opening around the country. We want people to know that.”
Independent Bookstore Day may be found on Facebook at (facebook.com/BookstoreDay), Twitter (twitter.com/bookstoreday), and Instagram (instagram.com/indiebookstoreday).
Now in its 31st year, Books on the Common is located at 404 Main Street, Ridgefield (203-431-9100), at BooksontheCommon.com, or on Facebook (facebook.com/BooksontheCommon).