Your guide to Independent Bookstore Day in Lincoln

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning as you push open the door to your local independent bookstore. The bell on the door chimes and you’re greeted with a friendly, “What can I help you with today?” You’ve stepped into one slice of a national celebration of independent bookstores. 

Independent Bookstore Day is an annual event on the last Saturday of April that celebrates independent bookstores around the country. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the event. 

“This is a chance for people to visit independent bookstores in their area, including ones they might not know of or might not have had the chance to go to,” Tory Hall, owner of Sower Books, said. ”One of the things that I think is just so powerful about indie bookstores is that you could visit 100 bookstores, and they would be 100 different experiences.” 

Three Lincoln independent bookstores are participating in Independent Bookstore Day: Sower Books, Francie & Finch and Elleinad Books.   

Sower Books will be celebrating with local creatives. There will be a pop-up from 2 Creative Crows featuring a make-your-own-bookmark bar. Clanton Candle Co. will be selling small-batch 100% candles. Sugar N Spice by Maddie, a small-batch homemade bakery will be selling sweet treats until they run out. Cat's Eye Apothecary will be selling jewelry and other witchy items.  

Sower Books will also be carrying 2025 Independent Bookstore Day Exclusives. These exclusives include limited edition books and merchandise. 

“We're trying to build it into something that is similar to Record Store Day, where you have people lining up for exclusive drops, editions and things beforehand,” Hall said. 

If you need a bookstore just a short walk from campus, Francie & Finch will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day as well.  

Francie & Finch will have author signings and treats. J.M. Fleming, author of picture book “Meet Andy the Goose” will be there from 10-11:30 a.m. and children’s book author Heather Dawn Torres will be there from 2-4 p.m. 

Francie & Finch is also offering two free advance reader copies with a purchase of $30 or more. The store will be open for extended hours on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Sunday from 12-4 p.m. 

Elleinad Books, a children’s bookstore, is celebrating a bit differently than previous years since the store recently got a 1000 square foot addition. The expansion in space allowed Elleinad to expand their middle grade and graphic novels sections and add a brand new young adult section. 

“(It’s) kind of just bringing awareness to independent bookstores. Independent bookstores, not only in Nebraska, but across the country,” Danielle Eby, owner of Elleinad Books, said. 

Elleinad Books will have special hours on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Independent Bookstore Day. It will also be open on Sunday from 12-4 p.m. 

The Lincoln stores have collectively decided to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day across both Saturday and Sunday.

“The spring game was also on independent bookstore day last year. Through talking to some of the bookstores, we feel like we suffered a little bit because of that, and so we decided to just kind of celebrate all weekend long,” Eby said. 

Amazon will be having a sale on books the same day as Independent Bookstore Day. 

“Obviously it's not a coincidence,” Eby said. “(Independent Bookstore Day) is bringing awareness to what independent bookstores bring to communities, rather than just being a place where books can be bought.” 

Independent bookstores offer much more individualized shopping experiences, with curated shelves and special interests from store-to-store, Hall said. 

 “Jeff Bezos isn't throwing a party this weekend. We're throwing a party this weekend,” Hall said. “If you want to go to a party this weekend, don't ask Amazon. They're not doing anything for you.”

This weekend also marks the end of the Lincoln and Seward Bookstore Crawl. The event started April 13. Bookstore-shoppers pick up a passport at their first stop and bring it along to every store on the list. Along the way, each store is offering a different deal. Once a card is completed, the shopper will be entered to win prizes.

April 27 is the last day to turn in a completed card. Participating stores include Badger’s Bookshop, Chapters Books & Gifts, Elleinad Books, Francie & Finch, A Novel Idea Bookstore and Sower Books. 

“(Independent Bookstore Day is) making people aware that independent stores and bookstores in particular are what keeps your community being unique and robust,” Hall said. “(It’s) letting you feel like you're part of this community that's specific to Lincoln…giving people kind of that sense of ownership and pride in what they have to offer in their own hometown.” 

Published in the Daily Nebraskan, read here.

Inside Sower Books at 914 N 70th St on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Lincoln. Photo by Izzy Lewis.