8 SoCal shops to check out on Independent Bookstore Day

Booksellers are a chatty bunch — in a good way. If you haven't had the pleasure of conversing with one lately, this weekend may be just the perfect time to remedy that. Why? Because Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day.

Inspired by the success of Record Store Day, San Francisco bookseller Pete Mulvihill launched California Bookstore Day in 2014 with 93 participating shops statewide. This year, the event is going national. It's been rebranded as Independent Bookstore Day and more than 400 stores across the country will be taking part.

There won’t be hipsters lining up for band signings, but there will be festivities and special edition merchandise including tote bags, an illustrated map based on “Huckleberry Finn,” a Margaret Atwood stencil, and a color broadside of an upcoming Stephen King novel. (See attached photos.)

“It’s a big deal,” said John Evans, co-owner of Diesel, A Bookstore. “It feels good to celebrate."

It's also a good sign for the state of the independent bookselling industry, he says. Evans' Brentwood store is one of many participating in the event Saturday. Here's what to expect:

1. Skylight Books

This Los Feliz favorite will carry all the special edition items only available on Independent Bookstore Day. But get there early: Store manager Steven Salardino said last year’s most popular merchandise sold out within the first hour. Skylight will also launch its new T-shirt line designed by artist Jeff Kubasak. Enjoy snacks and hang out on the bench near the store's famous ficus tree (it’s been around since Skylight opened its doors in 1996). There will be a music show featuring booksellers starting 7 p.m.

Where: 1818 N.Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027

2. Diesel, A Bookstore (Brentwood)

Diesel: A Bookstore in Brentwood (there’s also one in Oakland and in Larkspur) will host a scavenger hunt at the Brentwood Country Mart for the little ones. The store will carry the special merchandise created for Independent Bookstore Day. Plus, Instagram fans, post your best California Bookstore Day pic and tag it #dieselbrentwood to be entered to win a gift certificate. 

Where: 225 26th Street, Suite #33, Santa Monica CA 90402

3. Vroman’s (Hastings Ranch)

Vroman’s Hastings Ranch location will have plenty of activities for young bibliophiles, including storytelling, craft time and trivia games. There will also be DJ sets and a contest for the most creative photo-booth pic. Bring a friend who’s never been to Vroman’s, and you’ll both get a 20 percent discount on merchandise. Vroman's main store on 695 E. Colorado Blvd. will celebrate Independent Bookstore Day as well with craft time, refreshments and a performance of Chekhov Unscripted.

Where: 3729 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107

4. Chevalier’s Books

This Larchmont Village establishment has been around since 1940 and was recently bought by a local attorney and a former UCLA history professor who “plans to keep it thriving for 75 years to come,” says store manager Erica Luttrell. The store will be its “regularly wonderful bookstore-ish self" on Saturday — but check out the recent redesign with a larger inventory of books and literary-themed items. 

Where: 126 N Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

5. Pages

Founded by three Manhattan Beach moms five years ago, Pages carries children’s books as well as fiction and nonfiction for grownups. The store will have doughnuts and mimosas Saturday morning and sample bites from the restaurant Arthur J. later in the day. Special guests include local musicians and authors Joe Moshier ("Go, Pea, Go!") and Laura Dave ("Eight Hundred Grapes"). 

Where: 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

6. Family

This tiny art bookstore on Fairfax won’t have an event on Saturday, but its eclectic selection of zines, books made by artists and other items warrants a pit stop. “We like the idea of finding stuff and presenting it to people,” said David Jacob Kramer, who founded the bookstore in 2007 with two high school friends from Australia. “They can come in and see stuff that they didn't know about — kind of the same experience I had when I was a teenager. It was so exciting to discover stuff you didn't know existed that would really open your mind.” The store has hosted some notable readings and performances, including a joint book signing with Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers back in 2010. To learn about future events, sign up to their mailing list. 

Where: 436 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

7. A Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe

Brimming with children’s books and toys, this 1,200-square-foot shop across from the University of California, Irvine, has been in business for 28 years and works with local schools and libraries. The store hosts several events throughout the year (author Jodi Picoult will sign her new adventure book for teens on May 23). It will also carry the Independent Bookstore Day special edition items on Saturday.

Where: 16277 Laguna Canyon Dr. Suite G, Irvine, CA 92618

8. Once Upon a Time

Dubbed by Publisher’s Weekly as the oldest children’s bookstore in the country, Once Upon a Time was able to keep its doors open in 2003 thanks to a nine-year-old customer who, unbeknownst to her parents, wrote to the Los Angeles Times asking, “Where am I going to get my fifth Harry Potter book if there is no Once Upon a Time?” A reporter told Maureen Palacios about her daughter’s letter. After some hemming and hawing, Palacios quit her job as a human resources manager and bought the bookstore. Once Upon a Time has been thriving ever since. This Saturday, the store will host games and lots of chocolate! “We’re a children’s bookstore, so kids are going to expect fun,” says Palacios.

Where: 2207 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020

This post has been updated.

What's your favorite independent bookstore in SoCal? Let us know in comments.