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The literary landscape in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties has seen some new additions in recent years with the likes of nonprofit shop Peninsula Books, romance bookstore A Novel Affair and Fireside Books & More joining indie mainstays like Kepler’s and Linden Tree Books in Silicon Valley.
These spots are among a group of more than 2,000 bookstores in all 50 states celebrating the 13th annual Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday, April 25.
Held on the last Saturday of April, local independent bookshops participate by hosting author talks, selling and giving away exclusive items, discounting books and carrying limited-edition merchandise. This year, additional events include a “Bridgerton”-themed weekend at A Novel Affair, a sip and shop at Peninsula Books and literary trivia at Kepler’s.
Read on for more ways to be a part of Independent Bookstore Day.
A Novel Affair, Los Altos: Celebrating its first Independent Bookstore Day, the romance literature shop is having a “Bridgerton”-themed weekend of festivities. Saturday’s author lineup includes Jessica Joyce (10 a.m. to noon), Addie Woolridge (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Christina Britton (1:30-4:30 p.m.) and Harlow Brigh (1:30-4:30 p.m.). A poetry night featuring local poets will close out the day from 5-6 p.m.
On Sunday, the bookstore hosts a meet-and-greet and book signing with bestselling author S.G. Prince from 1-3 p.m. (Book club and premium members can arrive at noon for an exclusive Q&A.) On both days, coffee and matcha will be available for purchase from Coffee Lovers, and Snack Dragon will be selling sweets.
Promos include 30% off damaged books and clearance items (and an extra 10% off for premium members); a free sticker for the first 50 customers; and a DIY flower bookmark station ($5 each, while supplies last, Saturday only).
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26 at A Novel Affair, 295 State St., Los Altos; Instagram: @anovelaffairbookcafe. Free (bookmark station is $5.) anovelaffairbookcafe.com.
Beyond Text Bookstore, Los Gatos: Celebrating its second birthday, the Los Gatos bookstore will have a prize wheel and a golden ticket hunt for 12 free audiobook credits. It’s also a stop on the annual Los Gatos Wine Walk Saturday afternoon.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Beyond Text Bookstore, 318 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 925-660-9336, Instagram: @_beyondtext_. Free (the wine walk is a ticketed event.) beyond-text-bookstore.square.site.
Fireside Books & More, Redwood City: Fireside Books & More will celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with commemorative goodies and special snacks (while supplies last).
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Fireside Books & More, 2421 Broadway, Redwood City; 650-503-8141, Instagram: @fireside.rwc. Free. firesiderwc.com.
Ink Spell Books, Half Moon Bay: The Coastside bookstore will be carrying limited-edition merchandise from any of these exclusive items.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ink Spell Books, 621 Main St., Half Moon Bay; 650-726-6571, Instagram: @inkspellbooks. Free. inkspellbooks.com.
Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park: The literary landmark is hosting Bookish Trivia at 2 p.m. and author Laura Dave at 4:30 p.m. to talk about her bestselling novel “The First Time I Saw Him” with writer Pia Chatterjee.
The kids’ coloring corner will be open all day with book-themed coloring pages, and there will also be opportunities to win a bag of advance reading copies and 12 months of free audiobooks.
Customers with an active membership will receive 10% off all items (excluding memberships, sale items, gift cards and shipping costs) purchased online and in store April 25. (For online orders, use the code MEMBERSHIPLOVE.)
2-5:30 p.m. at Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, #100, Menlo Park; 650-324-4321, Instagram: @keplersbooks. Free. eventbrite.com/e/independent-bookstore-day-with-bookish-trivia-and-laura-dave-tickets-1985010190916?aff=KBNEWS.
Leigh’s Favorite Books, Sunnyvale: The shop will have exclusive books and literary items, including tote bags and stickers, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Leigh’s Favorite Books and Bookasaurus, 121 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale; 408-736-2665, Instagram: @leighsfavoritebooks. Free. leighsbooks.com.
Linden Tree Books, Los Altos: The downtown Los Altos bookstore will have an author story time with Dashka Slater at 11 a.m., a mystery wheel with discounts (including up to 100% off), exclusive tote bags and “Blackwing” pencils, a free Linden Tree tote with purchases over $100 and a hidden golden ticket that’s good for a year of free audiobooks.
Families can also sign up for the optional stuffy sleepover ($25), featuring a personalized copy of Slater’s “Good Night, Escargot,” a sleepover for a stuffy and access to a digital album showcasing the stuffy’s fun night.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Linden Tree Books, 265 State St., Los Altos; 650-949-3390, Instagram: @lindentreereads. Free (stuffy sleepover is $25.) lindentreebooks.com/events-calendar.
Peninsula Books, Daly City: Peninsula Books, a project of nonprofit Peninsula Book Collaborative, will celebrate its third birthday this weekend along with Independent Bookstore Day.
Arrive early on Saturday for a giveaway for the first 25 customers with purchases over $25. All day, customers can get 20% off all community picks and can buy a used book under $10 and get one free (equal or lesser value).
Even more is in store: Spin the prize wheel for giveaways, play Banned Book Bingo, find a Libro.fm golden ticket and shop exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items. There will also be a raffle, refreshments and a 21-and-over Sip & Shop Anniversary Party ($5 entrance at the door) featuring drinks, snacks and 20% off storewide.
10 a.m to 8 p.m. (Sip & Shop is 6-8 p.m.) at Peninsula Books, 441 Westlake Center, Daly City; 650-232-7700, Instagram: @peninsulabookcollaborative. Free (Sip & Shop is $5.) peninsulabooks.org.
Reach and Teach Books, Toys and Gifts, San Carlos: The immersive bookstore that also offers board games, puzzles, eco-friendly products and fair trade gifts from around the world will be carrying limited-edition merchandise from any of these exclusive items.
Reach and Teach Books, Toys and Gifts, 1179 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos; 650-759-3784, Instagram: @reachandteach1. shop.reachandteach.com.
The Reading Bug, San Carlos: The bookstore will host a full day of giveaways and crafts plus “Goodnight Train” author June Sobel for a story time and book signing.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (story time at 11 a.m.) at The Reading Bug, 785 Laurel St., San Carlos; 650-591-0100, Instagram: @readingbugbox. Free. thereadingbug.com.
Here are more local independent bookstores to check out
B Street Books, 1471 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame. A used bookstore with over 20,000 titles, including rare books.
Bell’s Books, 536 Emerson St., Palo Alto. The longtime bookstore carries new, used and rare books.
Coastside Books, 432 Main St., Half Moon Bay. Sells books for kids and adults as well as gifts and stationery.
East West Bookshop, 324 Castro St., Mountain View. The downtown bookstore specializes in metaphysical books and gifts.
Feldman’s Books, 1075 Curtis St., Menlo Park. The shop specializes in used and vintage books and also hosts a variety of events, such as poetry readings, concerts and other performances.
Florey’s Book Co, 2120 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica. A new and used bookstore for all ages and reading levels.
Gigglemugs, 1461 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame. A downtown Burlingame hub for children’s books, candy, toys and more.
Recycle Bookstore, 275 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. A used bookstore in downtown Campbell with over 100,000 titles.
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