Independent Bookstore Day

Image courtesy of American Booksellers Association

Celebrate the 12th annual Independent Bookstore Day at local stores across Portland. 

Held the last Saturday in April, Independent Bookstore Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a celebration of the unique cultural institutions that enrich our lives and communities. It’s a day to honor the passionate individuals who curate shelves with care, recommend hidden gems and foster connections among book lovers of all ages.

In Portland, stores across the city are hosting events on Saturday, April 26. Find a place to visit on this special literary day. 

You may also enjoy Spring Book and Media Sale at Beaverton City Library this weekend.

Independent Bookstore Day Events

More than 25 locations across the Portland metro area are participating in Independent Bookstore Day. Here are special activities at some of your favorite book shops:

Annie Bloom’s Books

This Multnomah Village bookstore is partnering with Street Books. If you donate a book, a journal or monetary donation to Street Books in April, you’ll get a 20% off one item coupon.

Here are the additional happenings:

• Street Books representatives are at the store in the morning. ]
• Also, a Golden Ticket from Libro.fm worth one year of audiobooks will be hidden somewhere in the store. 
• It’s also Local Yarn Store Day. Stop by Annie Bloom’s and NW Wools to enter two different raffles, including gift cards to both stores.

Annie Bloom’s Books is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 7834 SW Capitol Hwy. in Portland.

BOLD Coffee and Books

Get your caffeine and book fix all in one place at BOLD. Here’s what the shop has planned for Independent Bookstore Day:

Friday: Kick off the weekend with a Silent Reading Party from 7–8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, there’s a whole host of activities, including:Book Bingo

• Book bingo.
• Buy a book, get a latte.
• Free book bags, while supplies last.
• 10 a.m. Brian and Josie Parker, Meet the Pawsons! Children’s Storytime and Author Signing.
• 5 p.m. Michelle Kicherer, Sexy Life, Hello, and Emme Lund, The Boy with a Bird in His Chest, Reading and Author Signing.

BOLD Coffee and Books is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Broadway Books

Here’s what you can enjoy at this local book shop on Saturday: 

• Find the Libro.fm Golden Ticket hidden in the bookstore for 12 months of free audio book credits.
• Peruse exclusive Independent Bookstore Day merchandise, including the official Blackwing Pencils and autographed copies of the newest Wimpy Kid release.
• Spend $20 and get a free advanced reader copy. Spend $35 and get an exclusive Broadway Books sticker. Plus spend over $100 and you’ll get a free tote bag.
• Bring your pup in costume for a special prize and the chance to win the pet costume contest. The grand prize winner gets a $50 gift certificate.
• Get 20% of Broadway Books sweatshirts, T-shirts, puzzles and tote bags.
• All poetry is 20% off.
• Plus a portion of proceeds are donated to Street Books.

Broadway Books is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1714 NE Broadway St. in Portland.

Maggie Mae’s Bookshop

Head to Gresham for special events on Independent Bookstore Day, including: 

• Cranky Construction Story Time at 11:30 a.m.
•  Register for Book Bingo Trivia Night at 7 p.m.
• Shop Indie exclusive items, only available at independent bookstores.
• Hunt for the Golden Ticket to win free audiobooks from Libro.fm.
• The first 30 customers to spend $100 receive a Maggie Mae’s tote bag.
• Plus, there are new Maggie Mae’s shirts available for purchase.

Maggie Mae’s Bookshop is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 50 NW 1st St. in Gresham.

Powell’s Books 

All locations are hosting these special events and deals on Saturday:

• Search for the golden ticket to win swag from Powell’s or 12 audiobooks from Libro.fm.
• Spend $50 or more at the Burnside, Cedar Hills or Hawthorne locations to get a free exclusive enamel pin. Or spend $75 to get a tote.

Powell’s Books is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Spoke & Word Books

The Milwaukie bookstore has events and special all day on April 26. 

Here’s what is in store:

• Typewriter Poetry with Ghost from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Portrait Sessions with Lindsay from 2-6 p.m.
• Spend $100, get an exclusive tote.
• Each $10 in gift cards get you one raffle ticket for signed limited editions including:
  • Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay (Signed Indie Bookstore Edition) 
  • Lightlark by Alex Aster (Signed Limited Edition with Three Full Color Page Overlays)
  • Limited First Edition Onyx Storm with sprayed edges

Spoke & Word Books is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 10863 SE Main St. in Milwaukie.

The Book Nook

Take a drive to Canby for exclusive merchandise, special book sales, gifts with purchase and prizes.

The Book Nook is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 200 NW 1st Ave. in Canby.

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