“Whenever I enter a local bookshop I know something is going to happen. It will involve a book, of course. But it will also involve a ritual of a kind, a process of choosing. I’ll leave with something I didn’t have before and that is exciting.”
- Rachel Joyce

What is Bookshop Day?

Bookshop Day 2023 takes place Saturday 14 October 2023

Bookshop Day is one-day nationwide celebration of all high street bookshops including independent bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones and Foyles.The campaign aims to highlight the cultural importance of books and bookshops, and celebrate the people that bring the two together, our wonderful booksellers! Booksellers are what make our book-buying experiences so special – they are book experts, curators, community champions, bibliotherapists and matchmakers. Bookshop Day first launched in 2013 and is run by the Booksellers Association to encourage book lovers, like you, to shop at their local bookshop.Every year, as part of the campaign, we create a Books Are My Bag Limited-Edition Bag. These bags are available to purchase exclusively from bookshops; another excellent reason to visit your local bookshop on Bookshop Day!

We're delighted that Poonam Mistry has designed this year's Limited-Edition Bag which will be exclusive to bookshops in the UK and Ireland from Saturday 14 October. 

Graphic featuring the design of this year's Books Are My Bag Limited-Edition Bag by Poonam Mistry. The text says: Limied-Edition Bag 2023. Designed by Poonam Mistry. A Bookshop Exclusive. Available on #BookshopDay. Saturday 14 October.
 

Books Are My Bag Limited-Edition Bag designers:
- 2022: Jackie Morris
- 2021: Dapo Adeola
- 2020: Charlie Mackesy
- 2019: Yehrin Tong 
- 2018: Sir Peter Blake
- 2017: Orla Kiely
- 2016:Coralie Bickford-Smith; Fatti Burke (designed for Irish bookshops)  
- 2015: Grayson Perry
- 2014: Tracy Emin

 
Why buy books in your local bookshop?

  • You love books
  • You may be about to make a purchase you'll value for the rest of your life
  • You'll be shopping on your local high street
  • You'll be helping create local jobs
  • You might just find a book you never knew existed 
  • You'll find great gifts for friends and family
  • You can talk to real people about books they know and love
  • You'll be part of your local book-loving community  
 
How can I celebrate Bookshop Day?
  • Find your local bookshop
  • Shop with them on Saturday 14 October 2023
  • Pick up our limited-edition tote bag!
  • Share your book purchases on social media tagging @booksaremybag and #BookshopDay
  • Tag your favourite bookshop on social media and encouraging your followers to do the same (make sure you also tag @booksaremybag and #BookshopDay!)
  • Kick-start your Christmas shopping! October
  • Every bookshop will have their own way of celebrating Bookshop Day so make sure you find out what your local has planned – whether it is an in-store author signing, a virtual event, book club, special offers and more
 

Keep up to date with campaign at:

 
Visit Caboodle, the rewards programme from National Book Tokens, to see what events and offers are available from your local bookshops – sign up to get updates by email!


Thanks to all of our sponsors, National Book Tokens, Hachette UK, Penguin Random House UK, HarperCollins Publishers, Pan Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, DK, Bloomsbury, Canongate, Usborne, Scholastic, Faber & Faber, KoganPage, Bonnier Books UK, Chicken House, Icon Books, Profile Books, Walker Books, Atlantic Books. 
 

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