In a time of AI girlfriends, deepfake videos and 3D printed rockets, a product made with ink, paper, glue and thread is still a source for celebration: books.
Independent bookstores around the country join together on the last Saturday in April each year to celebrate reading through special events, contests, discounts and other activities. Here in San Diego, a group of local shops mark the occasion by going a step further with an organized book crawl that awards prizes to participants for the more bookstores they visit and the more shopping they do.
“It’s like the treasure hunt you never knew you needed in your life,” said Jesi Gutierrez, co-owner and creative director of Libélula Books & Co. in Barrio Logan. “Walking into the each of the doors of these independent book shops is like entering another portal into another realm.”
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This year’s Independent Bookstore Day takes place on April 27 and the 2024 San Diego Book Crawl, with 13 participating locations, will run April 27-29. Participating shops can be found as far north as Carmel Valley and as far south as Barrio Logan and Coronado.
The crawl started back in 2018, and has expanded both in the number of bookstores involved and the number of readers going from shop to shop.
“It’s definitely grown and changed so much. We get more and more participants every single year. We know, just in how much we order for our giveaways, that every year we run out and so we buy more, and then we still run out,” said Amy Kerrigan, event coordinator for Verbatim Books in North Park, which has been a part of the crawl since its inception. “It’s for sure the busiest weekend of all of our year.”
This year, for the first time, a ticketed shuttle bus will transport bibliophiles between six, nine or all 13 participating bookstores. The crawl also features an author ambassador, who will travel to many of the shops for appearances throughout the weekend. This year’s ambassador is YA romance author Susan Lee.
Check each shop’s website or social media accounts for details on Lee’s appearances, hours of operation, special activities and other details about the crawl.
Bay Books
Located in Coronado, Bay Books really knows its audience. Find a military history section, lots of recommendations and great options for beach reads. Bay Books Cafe, next door to the shop, is a good place to stop for a coffee or pastry before carrying on with the crawl.
1007 Orange Ave., Coronado. baybookscoronado.com
A view of The Book Catapult in South Park.
(Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Book Catapult
For a true neighborhood bookstore experience, The Book Catapult in South Park does not disappoint. Outside, find it surrounded by local businesses selling records, beer, co*cktails and Indian, Italian, French and Mexican food. Inside, discover the latest book releases and puzzles, hang out with kids or join their book club.
3010-b Juniper St., San Diego. thebookcatapult.com
Bluestocking Books, in the heart of Hillcrest, sells new and used books, gifts, postcards and other literary products.
(Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Bluestocking Books
Among a small stretch of other secondhand shops in Hillcrest, find the homey Bluestocking Books overflowing with used books. Visitors with an open mind will thrive here among the shelves, finding a wide variety of categories. Bluestocking will celebrating 25 years in business this May.
3817 Fifth Ave., San Diego. bluestockingbooks.com
DIESEL is a bookstore located in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center.
(Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
DIESEL, a Bookstore
At Del Mar Highlands Town Center, find a sleek, but welcoming bookstore amid a collection of ice cream shops, juice bars, restaurants and retail stores. DIESEL has a wide range of offerings, including staff recommendations and an adorable tree house-themed children’s area with multiple seating options for the littlest readers. This would be a great first or last stop on the crawl, because coffee, food and co*cktail options abound. The SkyDeck food hall is just steps away on the second level of the shopping center.
12843 El Camino Real Suite 104, San Diego. dieselbookstore.com
Joyride Bookshop has a main location in Liberty Station, a mobile book truck and a shop inside The New Children’s Museum in San Diego.
(Courtesy of Joyride Bookshop)
Joyride Bookshop
While this shop is the only one on this list that is geared specifically toward children, co-owner Susie Horn said Joyride is planning for participants to find a larger offering of YA books when they stop by on the crawl this year. This is also one of the smallest shops, but its shelves are chock full of colorful titles for young people of all ages. A section called “Important Conversations” offers stories on everything from grief and loss to migration and economic injustice. Joyride Bookshop also has a location inside The New Children’s Museum, but just the Liberty Station location and the shop’s mobile book truck will be participating in the crawl.
2750 Historic Decatur Road #104, Liberty Station, San Diego. joyridebookshop.com
La Playa Books
La Playa has been closed for the past month for renovation, showing updates on the progress on its Instagram account over the past few weeks, but it officially reopens April 18. Visitors should expect to find a new look inside the shop, which typically offers tons of used books as well as newer offerings.
1026 Rosecrans St., San Diego. laplayabooks.com
A view of the entrance to Libélula Books and Co. in Barrio Logan.
(Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Libélula Books & Co.
Libélula Books is a community-centered shop, selling new and used books and specializing in writing from Indigenous, Black, Chicanx and queer authors. New this year, look for La Tiny Gallery, a space in the shop dedicated to highlighting the work of local authors.
950 S. 26th St., San Diego. libelulabooksandco.com
These are just some of the many titles that can be purchased at the Library Shop SD, which also sells gifts, stationery, toys, greeting cards and other treats for bibliophiles.
(Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Library Shop SD
Only one location on the book crawl is housed inside a massive San Diego Public Library branch: The Library Shop. Crawlers can hang out in the Central Library for a break before or after their visit. It sells books for a wide range of interests, and this will be among the best options for finding literary gifts and merchandise for book lovers.
Note: With the Padres playing at Petco Park nearby during the crawl, the Central Library will provide free express parking spots for crawlers. Talk to the parking attendant for details.
330 Park Blvd., San Diego. libraryshopsd.org
Meet Cute Romance Bookshop
The books in this shop are likely to include a central romance and a happy ending, and it has an operating belief that there’s a romance book for everyone. It also offers a section of “mostly queer, mostly nonfiction” books and other unique categories. Look for its special collection of “mystery books” during the crawl, as well as a golden ticket hidden inside the shop for a big prize.
4048 30th St., San Diego. meetcutebookshop.com
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
Fans of horror, science fiction and fantasy will feel right at home, surrounded by book covers illustrating warriors, dragons, monsters and magical lands in this Point Loma shop. It’s the type of place to find Dungeon and Dragons meetups, lots of author visits and events and writer’s groups.
3555 Rosecrans St. #107, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com
UC San Diego Bookstore
While the UC San Diego Bookstore does sell Triton merchandise, textbooks, laptops and other products for a university community, it’s also an independent bookstore with children’s books, science fiction, books from local authors and many other categories. It specializes in science, cilmate, nature, social science and medicine. Expect lots of activities, sales, trivia and special guests at this stop during the crawl.
9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego. ucsandiegobookstore.com
Verbatim Books can be found diagonally opposite the North Park Parking Garage on 30th Street.
(Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Verbatim Books
In the heart of North Park, this shop is filled with curiosities and nostalgic bits and bobs. A poster of Nicolas Cage encouraging people to read and a collection of E.T. figurines are some of the highlights. This is one of the larger independent bookstores in San Diego County and is filled with shelves of all shapes and sizes and cozy book nooks where readers can relax and thumb through their latest purchase.
3793 30th St., San Diego. verbatimbooks.com
Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla Village.
(Elisabeth Frausto/La Jolla Light)
Warwick’s
Warwick’s, which has been a part of the La Jolla community for decades, is a general bookstore known for its jam-packed calendar of events. It’s a great option for picking up the latest bestsellers. On the Saturday of the crawl, Warwick’s will also celebrate St. Jordi’s Day, a Catalonian tradition with books, roses and romance at the center. The shop will sell paella, have live music from noon to 3 p.m. and a special story time at 11 a.m.
7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. warwicks.com
San Diego Book Crawl
When: April 27-29, during store hours
Where: Bay Books Coronado, Bluestocking Books, The Book Catapult, Diesel, A Bookstore, Joyride Bookshop, La Playa Books, Libélula Books & Co., Library Shop SD, Meet Cute Romance Bookshop, Mysterious Galaxy, UC San Diego Bookstore, Verbatim Books, Warwick’s
Tickets: Free to participate, but participants must spend at least $10 per shop to be considered for prizes
Online: bit.ly/sdbookcrawl
abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com
