Do you feel like we could use a little more love in the world? Maybe it’s time for more romance in your life. Yes, romance books!
Independent bookstores around the country are busy planning the first Bookstore Romance Day to celebrate romance books and romance readers. The inaugural Bookstore Romance Day will be celebrated on the third Saturday in August, August 17, 2019. An Oregon bookseller started it all!
A Publishers Weekly article in April quoted Billie Bloebaum, a bookseller with Third Street Books in McMinnville, OR and the creative and organizational force behind the celebration: “’There is a perception—and it’s not always false—that indies are snobbish toward romance and one of the primary goals in creating this day is to work toward changing that perception,’ said Bloebaum. Around 30 booksellers, authors, and publishing professionals have joined her in organizing the day, which will be modeled after Independent Bookstore Day and Free Comic Book Day. ‘If we get 50 stores participating, I’ll consider it a raging success,’ said Bloebaum.”
Booksellers and readers alike are excited about a special day highlighting a genre that can sometimes be overlooked or unfairly maligned. If you want to see the buzz, check out Instagram, Facebook, and twitter. If you want to dress the part (and donate some money to the group organizing), there is a Zazzle store with logo apparel. If you want to know more, see the website. Romance authors are encouraged to sign up to be paired with a local bookstore. (How romantic!) Bookstores can register to be a part of planning and promotion. Everyone can help spread the word.
Does your favorite independent bookstore carry Romance? Is there a section for Romance? Who are some of your favorite authors to recommend in the genre? Do you have a type of romance you usually gravitate toward?
