Love Your Bookshop Day

Love Your Bookshop Day is celebrated annually on August 14. In 2026, this date falls on a Friday. This day highlights the benefits of bookshops and promotes the importance of reading, creating nationwide appreciation for books across Australia.

History of Love Your Bookshop Day

Love Your Bookshop Day was established by the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) to celebrate local bookshops and their contributions to communities. The day recognizes the role of knowledgeable staff, carefully chosen books, and events that bring readers, authors, and stories together. It has grown into an annual celebration that encourages people to explore what their local bookshop offers.

The ABA coordinates a comprehensive marketing and publicity campaign for the day, providing free point-of-sale packs, downloadable resources, consumer competitions, and a consumer-facing website. The association also works with publishers and industry partners to arrange author appearances and in-store events, making the day a community-focused occasion that supports local businesses.

Why is Love Your Bookshop Day important?

Bookshops serve as gateways to knowledge, offering access to high-quality information and fostering a love of reading. Supporting them ensures that communities maintain access to diverse books and literary resources. The day emphasizes the value of independent bookstores in curating selections that reflect local interests and needs.

Love Your Bookshop Day also strengthens community bonds by bringing readers together. It highlights the personal connections formed through book recommendations, author events, and shared reading experiences. This celebration underscores the cultural and educational importance of bookshops in an increasingly digital world.

• Encourages people to visit and support local bookshops
• Promotes reading and literacy within communities
• Highlights the expertise of booksellers in recommending books
• Fosters a sense of community through shared literary events
• Ensures continued access to diverse and high-quality books

How to Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day

Visit your local bookshop to explore new reads and meet authors. Many bookshops host special events, such as author signings, readings, and book clubs, providing opportunities to connect with fellow readers. You can also participate in consumer competitions organized by the ABA to win books and other prizes.

Share your love for bookshops on social media using the day's official hashtag. Post photos of your favorite local bookstore, recommend a book you discovered there, or tag the shop in your posts. Consider purchasing a book or gift card to support the store, and encourage friends and family to do the same.

• Attend an in-store event or author talk
• Buy a book from a local independent bookshop
• Share your bookshop visit on social media
• Sign up for a bookshop's newsletter or loyalty program
• Gift a book or gift card to a fellow reader

Love Your Bookshop Day Dates