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Sweet Reads has announced that it will be participating in the 12th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day.

Independent Bookstore Day (Indie Bookstore Day) was established in 2013 to promote, celebrate, and highlight the value of the Independent bookstore community. The day has been observed on the last Saturday of April every year since 2013, which this year will be on April 26. There are over 1,200 stores participating across the country this year.

“Sweet Reads participates in Indie Bookstore Day because we always have a really fun, lively lineup of guest authors and ways to celebrate and thank the support of our customers,” said store owner, Lisa Deyo. “We’re looking forward to celebrating again.”

Sweet Reads will have over 10 exclusive items for sale and as giveaways, from specialized tote bags, to hats and exclusive books. There will be big sales on books along with snacks to enjoy.

The biggest part of the event is featuring two nature centered authors. Lisa Cassman will speak with guests about her “Butterfly Walk” book for children in the morning starting at 10 a.m. Then, Stan Tekiela, award winning naturalist and photographer, will sign books from noon to 12:30 p.m. before he heads to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for a talk.

Independent Bookstore Day is organized by the American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, that works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

Sweet Reads is not just your average book and candy store —it’s an experience. There will be opportunities to take pictures inside a train, in a forest and more.

You will also find the free Museum  of Sweet Collections in our store, which changes every three to four months. The local authors are featured with a wide variety of genres, along with all the Minnesota authors. The monthly schedule includes author meet and greets and our monthly Poet’s Open Mic.

You will find new and used books, along with local artisan’s work, like our homemade soaps, sweater mittens, jewelry, puppets, puzzles, candles, and of course nostalgic candy.