Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April, and YOU are invited!
We celebrate indie bookstores because we’re not just stores – we’re community centers and local anchors run by passionate readers just like you. Best of all, we’re not a dying breed – there are more of us now than last year, and we’re continuing to grow!
Hooray for Books! has planned a daylong celebration featuring a story time, author panel, our Spring LOLA event, exclusive IBD items for sale, and lots more (complete list of activities below).
Join us on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate Alexandria’s community of readers and indie bookstore supporters!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Story time with Mark and Sheldon Gruber-Lebowitz, and their dog Ronan
10:30 a.m.
We had so much fun when Mark, Sheldon and Ronan visited us in January, we couldn’t wait for them to join us again! They will read books they wrote and illustrated featuring their Pomeranian pup and his adventures. The trio will be available to sign books following story time.
Recommended for readers fo all ages.
Author Panel with Mary Quattlebaum, Debbie Levy and Joan Waites
12-1 p.m.
Join three local authors as they celebrate the release of their new books! Mary Quattlebaum (Brother, Sister, Me and You), Debbie Levy (This Promise of Change) and Joan Waites (A Colorful Tail: Finding Monet at Giverny) will present and sign their books.
This panel is recommended for readers ages 4 and up.
Meet the Author: Shannon Dunlap
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
A classic romantic tale with a modern twist, Izzy + Tristan follows two New York teenagers as they secretly fall in love. In debut author Shannon Dunlap's capable hands, this fast-paced novel is at once a gripping tale of first love and a sprawling epic about the bonds that tie us together and pull us apart and the different cultures and tensions that fill the contemporary American landscape.
Recommended for readers ages 13 and up.
Love Our Local Authors Festival
3 - 5 p.m.
The LOLA festivals are limited to self-published and small-press authors who live in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area and have not already had an opportunity to sell their books at our events.
We are excited to welcome more than 20 authors/illustrators to the store to present and sign their books!
Click here for the author list and schedule.
PJ Story Time featuring Elmo books
6:30 - 7 p.m.
Cuddle up in your favorite jammies and hear a brand-new Elmo story exclusive for Indie Bookstore Day! We’ll round off story time with other Elmo books and other store favorites.
Recommended for readers ages 2 and up.