A Farsley bookshop is celebrating its first-ever National Bookshop Day in style.
Truman Books only opened in June and has a number of activities planned for National Bookshop Day, with owner Amanda Truman promising ‘general bookish merriment’.
Tomorrow (Saturday, 9 October) there will be a kids’ story time at 9.30am and the announcement of the winners of the shop’s drawing and writing competition. There will also be free branded tote bags with every purchase over £30.
Last night the store and cafe held a successful late-night opening.
Truman Books is based in the former Bond’s on Farsley Town Street and has proven a success since its opening.
After more than two decades working in the travel industry and frequently jetting out to the Far East from her London home, owner Amanda Truman had put her career on hold because of the pandemic.
But – as WLD first reported in May – with little hope of a quick return to normality for travellers, Amanda decided to have a complete change and did what nearly every book lover dreams of doing, she decided to set up her own bookshop – and chose Farsley as its base.
A graduate of Leeds University, Amanda spent some time in the city before returning to London to work, though kept in touch with her friends up here.
It was one of those friends who suggested she open her shop in Farsley, which has become something of a haven for independent shops and businesses. Since June Amanda has been living out her dream of running her own book store.
Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the Booksellers Association, welcomed Truman Books to National Bookstore Day and said:
“From organising poetry competitions and spoken word sets to secretly dropping books around town, to mind-blowing window displays – the creativity of booksellers across the UK knows no limit, and they will have something in store for everyone this Bookshop Day.
“As the beating hearts of their communities, this is a real testament to the incredible contribution they bring to the high street, and the local communities they serve. We wish everyone a wonderful Bookshop Day!”