Seattle Independent Bookstore Day is back on April 25 to celebrate independent bookstores in the Greater Seattle area.
The popular Bookstore Day Passport Challenge returns, inviting booklovers to visit all participating shops (33 in 2026) within 10 days. Winners receive a 25% off discount to use at all participating bookstores, good for one year. Last year, 486 players completed the challenge, according to SIBD.
The first day of the challenge coincides with the nationwide celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, marked with festivities including author signings, gifts with purchase, giveaways, free treats and more. Read on to learn how to participate in the Seattle-area celebrations.
Passport challenge
To get started, pick up your passport in person at one of the participating bookstores and get it stamped at each store during the 10 days of the challenge. Shop around as much as you’d like, but no purchase is required. Some bookstores will offer extended hours on April 25 or throughout the challenge, and not all are open every day of the challenge, so check each shop’s social media or newsletters for the latest updates.
If you visit all 33 bookstores, turn in your passport to your “home” bookstore to earn your Champion Discount Card, which gives you a one-time 25% off coupon to use at all participating bookstores until April 23, 2027. Note: Third Place Books has three locations, but you’re only required to visit one of them to get your stamp.
If 33 stores sounds like too many stops, those who visit at least five participating shops during the challenge will receive a one-time coupon for 25% off at one of the participating bookstores.
What’s new
This year welcomes four bookstores to the lineup, including two new romance bookstores: Beguiled Books (Pioneer Square) and Lovestruck in Seattle (Wedgwood), as well as The Couth Buzzard (Greenwood) and East West Books & Gifts (Edmonds).
Special events
Timing and availability are subject to change, so check social media or call ahead if you have questions. Treats and gifts are while supplies last.
Author appearances and signings on April 25
- Authors Marissa Pedersen and Noelle Salazar will sign books at Edmonds Bookshop at 10 a.m., followed by a community partners table with Silent Book Club Edmonds and Edmonds Pride starting at 11 a.m. Local artist Sue Coccia will have a pop-up sale and art demonstration in the store from 1-4 p.m.
- Author Kara Patajo will sign copies of “52 Weekends in the Pacific Northwest” from noon-2 p.m. at Eagle Harbor Book Co.
- Away With Words will have signings with authors Mary Lou Sanelli (10-11:30 a.m.), Julie Farley (noon-1:30 p.m.), Eve Kasey (2-3:30 p.m.) and Sarah Eriksen (4-5:30 p.m.)
- Lovestruck in Seattle will host author signings, including Zoe Shae (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), Chelsey Ann Tompkins (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), E.M. Wilson and Meg Acuna (1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
- Local author K.L. Parsons will sign books from 1-3 p.m. at Beguiled Books.
- Author Lara Sanderson will be at East West Books & Gifts from 1-4 p.m.
- Saltwater Bookshop will have visits from local poet Clarise Griffey (9-10 a.m.), author Lisa Mantchev (10 a.m.-noon) and author Mary Boone (noon-1 p.m.).
- G.G. Silverman will be at Nook & Cranny Books at 11 a.m. for an exclusive prerelease signing of her debut fairy tale-horror collection, “The Blood Year Daughter” (out April 28). Seattle poet Hailey Spencer will sign her two poetry collections at 1 p.m., and Dana Snyder will sign copies of his book at 3 p.m.
- Children’s author Chloe Ward will host a kids story time and sign books at Couth Buzzard at 10 a.m.
- Fantagraphics Books will have advance copies of “Spread: The Anthology,” a local poetry collection available for purchase.
Activities and scavenger hunts
Elliott Bay Book Company is hosting a scavenger hunt in the kids section throughout the day, and the chance to play Jeopardy! for prizes at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
At Ballast Book Company, visitors can fill out a Dungeons & Readers character sheet and continue to fill it out throughout their visits. If you dress up as your character, you’ll also get a free sticker.
All three locations of Third Place Books will have a button-making station open to adults and kids, and Island Books will have typewriters out so visitors can type stories, poems and notes.
Additionally, a handful of bookstores will have a scavenger hunt for a Libro.fm Golden Ticket, which grants 12 free audiobook credits. Find the list of participating bookstores at st.news/SIBD-golden-ticket.
Treats
Ballast Book Company will have free cookies from Heathen’s Bakery, and Three Trees Books will have free Treat cookies.
Island Books will have doughnut holes and coffee in the morning and cookies and Champagne in the afternoon, and Open Books will hand out free poems.
Secret Garden Books will give away doughnut holes from Dough Joy, and The Couth Buzzard will give away cupcakes during the first weekend of the challenge.
Gifts with purchase on April 25
With each purchase of $25 or more at Brick & Mortar Books or any purchase at Eagle Harbor Book Co., you can participate in a blind date with a book by choosing a book based on the clues written on the front. Secret Garden Books is also offering surprise advance reader copies with purchases of $50 or more, and Queen Anne Book Company is giving away ARCs with any purchase.
Ballast Book Company will offer a free tote with purchases of $100 or more, and the first 100 purchases of any amount will get a Dungeons & Dragons-themed bookstore sticker. Arundel Books is offering a free sticker with purchases of $50, and a special edition tote with purchases of $120. Ridgecrest Books will give stickers of its shop dog Oscar with purchases of $50 or more. Saltwater Bookshop is giving away store tote bags with purchases of $75 or more.
Third Place Books will have its annual prize wheel, where you can win books, ARCs, candy and more with any purchase. If you make a purchase of $100 or more at Beguiled Books, you’ll get the chance to spin a prize wheel. The shop will also have special markdowns throughout the weekend.
During all 10 days of the challenge, The Couth Buzzard will run a promo of buy two books, get one used book free.
Whether you visit one bookstore or all 33, SIBD is a great way to shop small, get your book signed or simply find your next read.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yakimaherald.com ’
