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Love Your Bookshop Day

Get ready to show some love for your local bookshop on Love Your Bookshop Day - with events, discounts, and new releases!

Friday

August 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAugust 14

OBSERVED INAustralia

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready bookworms, because August 14 is the day to show some love to your favorite local bookstore on Love Your Bookshop Day! This annual celebration was started in Australia in 2014 as a way to support and promote independent bookstores. It has since spread to other countries, with people coming together to celebrate the joy of reading and the magic of physical bookstores. Whether you're browsing for a new read or attending a special event, there's no better way to spend this day than surrounded by books and fellow book lovers. So mark your calendars and get ready to spread some literary love!

TIMELINE

Love Your Bookshop Day Timeline

First Known Bookstore

The first known bookstore opens in Constantinople, selling religious text scrolls.

Oldest Operating Bookstore

The Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, Portugal, considered the oldest operating bookstore, is established.

Bookstore Boom

Many independent bookstores open in the 19th century during the spread of printed literature.

Rise of Chain Bookstores

Chain bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders begin dominating the book-selling industry.

First Love Your Bookshop Day

Love Your Bookshop Day is first celebrated in Australia to support and promote independent bookstores.

Global Celebration

Love Your Bookshop Day spreads globally, with events held in many countries to celebrate local bookstores.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

How to Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day

Create book-themed treats

Bake some book-shaped cookies or cupcakes, or decorate treats with quotes from your favorite books. Share them with the bookstore staff and customers to spread the love for books and the shop.

Host a bookshop scavenger hunt

Create a list of items for participants to find in the bookshop, such as a book with a red cover or a bookmark with an animal on it. The first person or team to find all the items wins a prize!

Attend a book reading or author signing

Many bookshops host events with authors or local writers. Attend one of these events and show your support for the bookstore and the literary community.

Create a book-themed display

Use your creative skills to make a display in the bookstore featuring your favorite books or a specific genre. This will not only showcase your love for the bookstore, but also help other customers discover new reads.

Organize a book swap

Gather a group of friends and swap books you no longer want. This is a great way to refresh your reading list and support the bookstore by purchasing new books.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Love Your Bookshop Day

There's nothing like the feeling of a physical book

As much as we appreciate the convenience of e-readers and online shopping, there's something special about holding a physical book in your hand and turning its pages. Love Your Bookshop Day reminds us of the joy that comes from finding a new book on a shelf and taking it home to read.

It celebrates local businesses

Love Your Bookshop Day is all about supporting and celebrating small, independent bookstores. These local businesses are an important part of any community, providing a sense of community and offering a unique selection of books and events.

Books bring people together

Books have the power to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures. Love Your Bookshop Day encourages people to come together and share their love for books, whether it's through attending events or simply browsing the shelves with friends or family.