Celebrate Bookshop Day 2023 at these five Kent bookshops
It’s time to celebrate our local bookshops with author talks, book signings and storytime sessions.
Bookshop Day, which takes place this year on Saturday, October 14, is an annual event where bookworms are encouraged to pop into their local bookshop, whether it be an indie or chain, and show their support.
Shops up and down the country are putting on one-off events and offers for the day, and Kent is no exception.
One of the county’s best-loved independent stores, Sevenoaks Bookshop, will be welcoming two special guests.
In the morning, award-winning children’s author Katherine Rundell will be at the town’s Drive Methodist Church to discuss her latest book, Impossible Creatures.
The new epic fantasy series follows Christopher, Mal and a baby griffin as they journey to Archipelago, a hidden place where all of history’s mythical creatures live.
Tickets start from £10, or £18 with a copy of the book, and can be purchased online here.
In the afternoon, Richard Armitage, best known for starring in The Hobbit and North and South, will be introducing his debut novel, Geneva.
The thriller begins at a conference in Switzerland that could revolutionise modern medicine, but it doesn’t take long before secrets are revealed and Nobel prize winning scientist Sarah finds herself in the middle of it all.
The Olivier Award nominated actor will be speaking about his debut novel from 1.30pm at the Drive Methodist Church. Tickets cost £20, include a copy of the book and can be purchased online here.
That’s not the only place you can catch the Oceans 8 star on Bookshop Day as he will also be paying a visit to Waterstones in Bluewater.
Richard will be signing copies of Geneva from 11am at the Greenhithe shopping centre. Tickets cost £16.99 and include a copy of the book to be signed. You can book online here.
Waterstones in Folkestone is also pulling out all the stops for the day with a children’s storytime session.
Families can come along from 10.30am and enjoy a fun reading of Nanette’s Baguette.
The storybook is written by American author, animator and voice actor Mo Willems, who has also created kids TV shows the Off-Beats and Sheep in the Big City.
The storytelling session is free and there’s no need to book ahead of time.
Waterstones in Canterbury will also be inviting an author through its doors on Bookshop Day.
Young adult author, TikToker and Waterstones bookseller Rosie Talbot will be at the Rose Lane shop to sign copies of her books Sixteen Souls, Twelve Bones and the new horror anthology A Taste of Darkness.
Fans can turn up from 2.30pm to get their books signed. You don’t need a ticket to attend, but you can purchase copies of the books from the shop.
If you’re in the market for some new books to stock up your shelves, Blueprint Coffee and Books in Whitstable is giving customers a 10% discount on all children’s books purchased between 9am and 4pm on Bookshop Day.
While you’re picking up some new titles for your kids, you can also browse the shop’s extensive collection of non-fiction, cookbooks, travel and history and pick up a cup of coffee before you leave.
Find out more about Bookshop Day here