Every day inside Wild Geese Bookshop in Franklin, shoppers browse through shelves and shelves of adventure, romance, comedy and more.
They pick up suspenseful mysteries, hilarious novels and fascinating science fiction. Nonfiction historical analyses and profound biographies are situated near spiritual reflections and pages filled with poetry. Children can find their favorite characters in brightly colored and beautifully rendered story books.
Owner Tiffany Lauderdale Phillips has tried to create a place that fosters a love of reading and an independent spirit.
“There is something special about indie bookstores — they’re very reflective of the communities they’re in. They nourish the community, and the community nourishes them. It’s a very unique experience,” she said. “I’m glad we can be part of it.”
Book lovers of all kinds can discover and celebrate that spirit throughout the day on Saturday. In recognition of Independent Bookstore Day, the store has planned a series of unique events, including kid-centric reading activities, giveaways for expecting parents and snacks. Readers can pick up special releases and exclusive merchandise unveiled just for the day.
“Every Saturday here is really joyful,” Phillips said. “It just has a little more structure around it.”
Best-selling authors Amy Ephron and Anna Ephron Harari will take part in the festivities, including a gathering to discuss the importance of telling stories about friends, family and motherhood.
“These women talk about writing fiction, and writing about family, and women’s stories. They have really interesting things to say,” Phillips said.
Indie Bookstore Day is a national celebration designed to bring attention to small shops in cities and towns throughout the country. The event is held on the last Saturday in April, and since it started nationally in 2015 the campaign has grown to include hundreds of stores throughout the U.S.
As services such as Amazon have made ordering books online more convenient and affordable, a notable effort is being made to push back and support independent bookstores.
Phillips has been an active participant in the day since Wild Geese opened in downtown Franklin in 2016.
To recognize the role that independent bookstores play in the community, and to revel in the connection Wild Geese has with customers and local residents, Phillips has organized a variety of activities.
When doors open, shoppers can pick up a variety of special releases out just for Independent Bookstore Day, as well as get the chance to find the “golden ticket” offered by LibroFM for one free year of audiobooks.
“All of the indies who participate will have exclusive merchandise that’s just available in indies, in person, to encourage people to come to the bookstores,” she said. “And we’ll have events that are family friendly all day.”
Cafe Babette Indy, a local bakery, will be offering French pastries from the shop’s front porch.
In the afternoon, Ephron and her daughter Ephron Harari will stop by the store for a kid-friendly series of activities. Ephron, a best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter and producer known for such works as “A Cup of Tea” and “The Castle in the Mist,” will host storytime. Free popcorn from the Historic Artcraft Theatre and juice will keep the kids settled and happy.
After storytime, both Ephron and Ephron Harari will sign copies of their project, “The Amazing Baby Name Book: A (Possibly) Helpful and Slightly Amusing Guide from A to Z,” which explores both typical and atypical baby names with historical contest and factual tidbits. They’ll also be giving away prizes to young readers, expecting parents and caregivers.
“We want to help them build their library. The idea of it is raising readers,” Phillips said.
At 6:30 p.m., the authors will gather once again with fans at the shop for a program titled “Families, Friends, Facts and Fiction.” Together, the three authors plan to discuss why stories about families, friends and motherhood are continually compelling and essential.
“Book lovers and writers won’t want to miss this conversation with three fascinating, powerhouse literary figures who bring humor and grace to their stories,” Phillips said. “This event will be a rare, up-close-and-personal look at the lives of storytellers, and how their relationships with their families are impacted by and intertwined with their work.”
While activities will keep people busy throughout the day at Wild Geese, the bookshop is also helping bring a program featuring Nora McInerny to town on Saturday night. The author is the creator of the “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” podcast, and is bringing her bitingly funny show to The Toby inside the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
Wild Geese will be on hand to sell copies of McInerny’s book, Phillips said.
IF YOU GO
Independent Bookstore Day
What: A one-day party that takes place across the United States on the last Saturday in April to celebrate indie bookstores with special activities, giveaways and more.
When: Saturday
Where: Wild Geese Bookshop, 40 E. Madison St., Franklin
Schedule
10 a.m.: Doors open with exclusive merchandise, as well as the chance to find the LibroFM golden ticket for free auidobooks for 1 year. Cafe Babette Indy will be serving French pastries on the porch.
2 p.m.: Bestselling author Amy Ephron will be reading for storytime from her enchanting middle grade series. There will be free Artcraft popcorn and juice for the young readers to snack on while they listen.
2:30 p.m.: Ephron and her daughter, Anna Ephron Harari, will be on the porch signing their book “The Amazing Baby Name Book: A (Possibly) Helpful and Slightly Amusing Guide from A to Z.” They will also be giving away some wonderful prizes for young readers, expecting parents and caregivers.
3 to 6 p.m.: Giveaways, including advance reader copies, gift cards and prizes, to visitors with purchase on the hour.
6:30 p.m.: Light refreshments and a conversation with Ephron and Ephron Harari on writing about “Families, Friends, Facts & Fiction.” Book signing to follow.
8 p.m.: Nora McInerny, author and creator of the “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” podcast, will be at the Toby Theater at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Ave., Indianapolis. Wild Geese will be selling copies of her work.
