Celebrate Reading for Independent Bookstore Day

More than 400 shops are taking part in the event around the country on Saturday.
Jen McCaffery

It’s time to celebrate Rhode Island’s independent bookstores this Saturday. April 30 marks the second annual celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, and more than four hundred shops around the United States have special things planned to commemorate the occasion. Here are some of our favorites in Rhode Island:

  1. Join in the world’s largest tattoo chain and have a blind date with a book. Books on the Square has several creative ways to celebrate the day. You can take a selfie of a temporary tattoo and participate in The Alice in Wonderland Litograph tattoo chain, or perhaps encounter literary bliss with a book wrapped in paper. Open Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., 471 Angell St., Providence, 401-331-9097, booksq.com 
  2. Six carts, two tables and open boxes filled with books and records. Symposium Books is holding a sidewalk sale. “You should come early. And bring a tote. It’s going to be a very good day for readers,” according to the store. Expect a wealth of titles ranging from art and design to philosophy and cooking. Open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Symposium Books, 240 Westminster St., Providence, 401-273-7900, symposiumbooks.com
  3. Come dressed as your favorite literary character for children’s story hour. The special Duck and Goose themed hour kicks off at 10 a.m. at Barrington Books Retold in Cranston. Al Colella and Joe Crowley, authors of Poverty and Despair Vs. Education and Opportunity will have a book signing and discussion with state Representative Grace Diaz in Barrington from 1-2:30 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. in Garden City. Barrington Books, 184 County Rd., Barrington, 401-245-7926; Barrington Books Retold, 176 Hillside Rd. (Garden City), Cranston, 401-432-7222, barringtonbooks.com
  4. Pick your favorite title and enter a raffle. Island Books will also celebrate, and like other stores, will have items for sale specially designed for independent booksellers Day, including literary tea towels and a limited edition Duck and Goose print by Tad Hills. Open Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wyatt Square, 575 East Main Rd., Middletown, 401-849-2665, islandbooksri.com