Following the runaway success of last year’s Chicago Independent Bookstore Day and California Bookstore Day, twelve Chicago independent bookstores are banding together to join Independent Bookstore Day, a country-wide celebration of books and independent bookstores on May 2nd. From Andersonville to Hyde Park, book lovers should mark their calendars for this special day of literary festivities.

To encourage Chicago readers to visit their own neighborhood store as well as the other unique stores in different neighborhoods throughout the city, participating bookstores are offering special deals, raffles, author events, refreshments and general bookish revelry. Select customers will also have a chance to collect pages from each participating store to complete to a limited edition chapbook of a previously unreleased story by Stuart Dybek illustrated by Dmitry Samarov designed and printed especially for the day.

Stores participating include: The Book Cellar, 57th Street Books, Seminary Coop, Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, Unabridged Bookstore, Roscoe Books, Open Books River North, Open Books Pilsen, City Lit Books, Uncharted Books, Powell’s Bookstore University Village, and Women & Children First. Chicago’s independent bookstores, each with their own unique selection, all offer a variety of readings, discussions, and storytimes and special events for children. Most offer community bulletin boards and space for groups to meet. All are anchors in their neighborhoods, sources of information and entertainment, welcoming places for natives and tourists alike.