Celebrating Bookshop Day 2023

Most avid readers know that feeling of wandering into a bookshop to browse, not sure where your curiosity will take you but thrilled by the possibilities to unearth a new treasure.

While the adage says you cannot judge a book by its cover, there is a magic to picking up a fresh new title from a display table, admiring the cover art, flipping to the blurb on the back, and gently thumbing through a first few pages. It’s not just the tactile experience – there’s the nostalgic rush of ink on paper that sends memories flooding back; the anticipation of sitting back with a favourite read on lazy summer days or cosy winter evenings on the sofa.

Ahead of this year’s Lincoln Book Festival, we’re recognising the vital role bookshops have in the enjoyment of reading for people of all ages right across the country.

Organised by the Booksellers Association, Bookshop Day is the annual celebration of bookshops big and small. First launched in 2016, the campaign encourages people to shop in their local bookshop and ensure their high street is thriving. It is supported by major booksellers and publishers as well as many independent bookshops.

Bookshop Day 2023 takes place on Saturday 14 October during Lincoln Book Festival.

Lincoln Book Festival is fortunate to be supported by local independent bookshop Lindum Books, who have been a fixture of the festival for a number of years, providing book sales at our events where audiences can chat with authors and buy signed copies of their latest books.

These interactions between audiences and authors are utterly unique. A signed book from a favourite writer embodies precious memories and can make a proud addition to any bookcase or a wonderful gift for a friend or family member.

Without brilliant independent booksellers like Lindum Books, literary festivals like ours would not be able to provide these special moments.

So we hope Lincoln Book Festival supporters and audience members will join us in celebrating the essential role of bookshops large and small in enabling people’s  enjoyment of reading and in the livelihoods of authors  on Bookshop Day 2023. On Saturday 14 October we will host our Kids’ Corner children’s event as well as our British Library: Tales of the Weird evening talk. Tickets are available for both events.