The third annual Philly Bookstore Crawl is back next Saturday \u2013 and is bigger than ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The self-guided tour features more than 40 Philly and Philly-area bookstores hosting authors, events and discounted prices on Saturday, Aug. 23.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crawl\u2019s organizer, Eric Smith, said the event has seen incredible success the last few years and already is changing Philly\u2019s book landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that the event is making Philly something of a fun, bookish destination \u2014 because it is one,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Smith initially left Philly in 2014, when he and his wife moved to Richmond, Va., and Ann Arbor, Mich. One thing he loved: both cities had big book crawls that were \u201chuge celebrations of these bookstores.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He envisioned creating something similar in Philly if he ever moved back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s, like, 50 bookstores within driving distance of Center City, there should be something like this there,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The couple returned to Philly right before the pandemic, and the next few years were not a good time to launch an out-and-about event. When the lockdown ended, he saw that bookstores were asking for community support, or posting on GoFundMe to raise money to rebuild their businesses.<\/p>\n
It seemed like the perfect time to support bookstore owners, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the time for something like this to remind folks, as we\u2019re sort of emerging again, that indie bookstores are this great community space and we want to keep them here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Smith said the last two bookstore crawls were a \u201cwild success,\u201d and that this year\u2019s will be even more exciting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think one of the big highlights is M.L. Rio, who is a New York Times bestseller of If We Were Villains and then Graveyard Shift and a bunch of really wonderful books,\u201d he said. \u201cShe is doing a sneak peek of her next book over at The Head and The Hand<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He also highlighted The Doylestown Bookshop<\/a>,\u00a0 which will be doing a local authors expo; The Book Lovers Breakfast,<\/a> where Chestnut Hill bookstores will partner with nearby cafes for discounted food that readers can grab in between shopping; and Molly\u2019s Books and Records<\/a>, which will host popular author and guitarist Elijah Wald for a book signing and performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other organizations, such as Philadelphia Stories<\/a>, will visit bookstores and pick up guests in cities like Wayne and Lancaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n Below is a list of the full lineup for next weekend. (A \u201c*\u201d symbol indicates the shops are accessible.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Map: https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/viewer?mid=1ndZHd4_-91E9NNIYCFSqczO7lx-5XOA&hl=en&femb=1&ll=40.02593952753418%2C-75.20407335&z=10<\/a><\/p>\n List:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 50 Watts Books\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Indie bookstore and press with discounts on books they publish, including two volumes of their popular Anthropomorphic Japan series of vintage illustrations, and a giveaway of copies of their in-house zine.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 15 W. Highland Ave. F, Philadelphia PA 19118<\/p>\n A NOVEL IDEA<\/strong><\/a>*<\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Book-signing event with four local authors and temporary tattoo giveaway.\u00a0<\/p>\n Accessibility note:<\/strong> Front of the building is accessible, two steps in the back of the shop.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>1726 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia PA 19148<\/p>\n American Grammar<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Coffee and giveaways.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 2046 N. Front St., Philadelphia, PA 19122<\/p>\n Another Corner<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Book and magazine discounts, Tang\u2019s Bakery pop-up, raffle for a book and a set of Coca-Cola collectibles.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 612 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147<\/p>\n Big Blue Marble<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Local author book signing and chat.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 551 Carpenter Ln., Philadelphia, PA 19119<\/p>\n Binding Agents<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Prizes, giveaways, cookbook sales and baked treats.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 908 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147<\/p>\n BINDLESTIFF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Giveaways from noon to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>4530 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143<\/p>\n BOOKED<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Discounts and Book Lover\u2019s Breakfast special <\/a>at nearby Chestnut Hill cafes.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 8511 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118<\/p>\n BOOKISH NOTIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Deals, open-mic night and a kids book reading.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>11 E. State St., Media, PA 19063<\/p>\n BRAVE NEW WORLDS<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>55 N 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106<\/p>\n THE BROKEN SPINE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Author Christy Schillig\u2019s book signing, totebag and book giveaways.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>915 N 28th St., Suite 1C Philadelphia, PA 19130<\/p>\n BRISTOL BOOKS + BINDERY<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Accessibility note:<\/strong> This is an older building with tight spacing.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>129 Mill St., Bristol, PA 19007<\/p>\n CAPRICORN BOOKS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Various author meet-and-greets and signings throughout the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>605 West Ave., Jenkintown, PA 19046<\/p>\n CHILDREN\u2019S BOOK WORLD<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Book giveaways and a bookstore crawl carnival, with free popcorn, hot dogs and carnival games.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>17 Haverford Station Rd., Haverford, PA 19041<\/p>\n CUPID\u2019S BOOKShop<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Free totebags and romance novels, while supplies last.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 106 Grape St., Philadelphia, PA 19127<\/p>\n Doylestown Bookshop<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Local author expo and writer meetup.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 16 S. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901<\/p>\n Du Bois-Robeson People\u2019s Center<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Social justice-focused community center open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for book browsing and shopping.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>4515 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143<\/p>\n Garland of Letters<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>527 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147<\/p>\n Philly Aids Thrift at Giovanni\u2019s Room\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>South Street Art Mall table and Last Drop Coffeehouse discounts for purchasing customers.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 345 S. 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107<\/p>\n Harriett\u2019s Bookshop<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 258 E. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125<\/p>\n HEALING WHILE BLACK<\/strong><\/a> *<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>4111 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104<\/p>\n H&H BOOKS<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Four author visits, including M.L. Rio, Tre Johnson, Eshani Surya and R. Eric Thomas.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>2230 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125<\/p>\n HEADHOUSE BOOKS<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>619 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19147<\/p>\n HILLTOP BOOKS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Sidewalk sale with discount books and Book Lover\u2019s Breakfast at nearby cafes in Chestnut Hill. Joint event from 9 to 10:15 a.m. with Anne Lambelet, Andrea Denish and Sia Dempster Willie.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 84 Bethlehem Pike, Philadelphia PA 19118<\/p>\n House of Our Own Books<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 3920 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104<\/p>\n Huxley And Hiro<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Spinning wheel with prizes such as free stickers, discounts and more. Free mystery grab bags with books and book-related items. Author signing featuring local authors W.A. Simpson and Connie Matsumoto.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>419 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801<\/p>\n IFFY BOOKS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Tiny zines and tiny tools event.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103<\/p>\n INKWOOD BOOKS<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>106 Kings Hwy E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033<\/p>\n THE LAST WORD BOOKSHOP<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>220 S. 40th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104<\/p>\n Julia de Burgos<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Free books and arcs, and other giveaways while supplies last.\u00a0<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>2600 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19133<\/p>\n MAIN POINT BOOKS<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong> Afterparty to celebrate the end of the day, including a launch of Jeff Bogle\u2019s latest book.\u00a0<\/p>\n Accessibility note:<\/strong> The main floor is completely ADA accessible to all, including the restrooms. The lower level is accessible to most. Ask at the counter for help with access questions.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 116 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087<\/p>\n Making Worlds Cooperative Bookstore & Social Center<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>210 S. 45th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104<\/p>\n Mavey Books\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Giveaways, scavenger hunts and more.<\/p>\n Address: <\/strong>8 Cricket Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003<\/p>\n Minnow Lane<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Highlights: <\/strong>Special reading of The Philly ABCs by local author Christopher Wink.<\/p>\n Address:<\/strong> 2029 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125<\/p>\n