Pub crawls are nice, but this book crawl around Indianapolis sounds amazing
Indiana loves literature. It's the home of authors such as John Green, James Alexander Thom and Kurt Vonnegut. While Hoosier booklovers have never needed an excuse to buy books (honestly, what we really need are more shelves), what could be more tempting to a hungry bibliophile than a four-day book crawl?
Nearly two dozen Indiana independent bookstores are participating this year in what organizers have called the inaugural Indy Indie Book Crawl. Hungry readers with a voracious appetite will have a chance beginning Thursday to visit some of Central Indiana's coziest reading spaces, and possibly win a prize or two.
"Book lovers and literature seekers are invited to explore the tapestry of local, independent, and non-profit & community bookstores across the Indianapolis metro area," organizer's said in a news release. "The Indy Indie Book Crawl 2024 (IIBC) is more than just a chance to discover hidden gems; it's an opportunity to support our vibrant local literary community.
Here's what we know about it.
When is the Indy Indie book crawl?
The event happens Thursday, March 21, through Sunday, March 24.
How to participate
If you plan on joining in on the inaugural book crawl, here's what organizers said participants need to do:
Pick up an IIBC bookmark from any participating store (see the store list below) beginning Thursday.
Visit one or as many bookstores as you want from Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24.
Get a mark on your IIBC bookmark with each store you visit, and you might want to visit several, organizers said, because each store visit earns you one entry to win a prize — no purchase necessary.
Follow @indyindiebookcrawl on Instagram and make at least one social media post during the book crawl dates.
Once you've completed your Indy Indie Book Crawl, fill out the submission form and include a photo of your bookmark as evidence during the dates of the contest.
Submissions must be received by the end of Friday, March 29. Prize winners will be announced on Saturday, March 30.
Prizes? Yes. Here's what book crawl participants can win
Not only can bibliophiles sample a rich buffet of independent bookstores, they get a chance to win the best prize of all — books, and the opportunity to get even more books. Here's what participants can possibly win after filling out a submission form:
A $25 bookstore gift card.
Bookstore merch items.
A collection of books supplied by the participating stores.
Winners will be announced Saturday, March 30, according to the organization's website.
Indianapolis independent bookstores participating in the book crawl
The following is a list of independent bookstores around Indianapolis that are participating in the book crawl, where you can find them and their hours during the event.
Basile History Market at the Indiana Historical Society
Where: 450 W Ohio St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Closed.
Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore (Mobile - Location TBC).
Where: 2121 E 10th St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 111 E 16th St STE 101.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. Closed.
Where: 5208 N College Ave.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 1066 Virginia Ave.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 202 S Audubon Rd.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. Noon-7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 5619 N Illinois St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs. 10 a.m.-7p.m., Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. Closed.
Where: 212 E 16th St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 2435 Shelby St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m.
Where: 882 Massachusetts Ave.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 2424 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m.
Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library
Where: 543 Indiana Ave.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
More independent bookstores in the Indianapolis metro-area participating in the book crawl
MacArthur Books - Carmel
Where: 2169 Glebe St #100a.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. Closed
Viewpoint Books - Columbus
Where: 548 Washington St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-5p.m., Sun. Closed.
Wild Geese Bookshop - Franklin
Where: 40 E Madison St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Red Dog Books - Greenwood
Where: 1001 N State Rd 135 d2.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m.
Between the Pages - Lebanon
Where: 2350 N Lebanon St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Fri. 11 a.m.-7p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Closed.
Fables & Fairy Tales - Martinsville
Where: 38 N Main St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-5 p.m.
Three Sisters Books & Gifts - Shelbyville
Where: 7 Public Sq.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs. 10 a.m.-7p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-7p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m.
Turn the Page - Westfield
Where: 149 N Walnut St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m.
4 Kids Books & Toys - Zionsville
Where: 4450 Weston Pointe Dr #120.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Curious Squirrel Bookshop - Zionsville
Where: 120 S Main St.
Thurs-Sun. Hours: Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m.
For more information about how to register for the event, visit Indy Indie Book Crawl on its official Instagram page.
Others are reading: Steve from Blue's Clues will be at Indiana Comic Con. His words on mental health still matter
John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Follow him on X at @JTuftsReports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy Indie Book Crawl spotlights Indianapolis independent bookstores
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