15thā22nd June 2025
Celebrating stories, community, and the power of independent bookshops
Independent Bookshop Week is hereāand weāre ready to turn the page on something special. From Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd June, weāre joining bookshops across the UK in a joyful celebration of what makes indies so magical: connection, creativity, and community.
Whether youāre a regular or a first-time visitor, weāve planned a whole week of events, surprises, and soul-soothing moments that bring the spirit of Ink & Ember to life. From golden tickets to secret shelfies, thereās something for every reader to enjoy.
Hereās whatās happening during the week...
āØ DAILY MAGIC
š The Listening Shelf
Discover books that helped people feel seen, heard, or heldāwith handwritten notes from our team and community. Leave your own and share the stories that supported you.
š Golden Ticket Giveaways
Every day, weāll tuck a golden ticket into a surprise book. Find one and win a free drink, event ticket, or voucher to spend in-store.
š¦ Blind Date With a Book ā Mindful Edition
Pick up a wrapped mystery book, each one tagged with a hint like āFor when you need a gentle reminder youāre enoughā or āA slow story for a fast world.ā
š Affirmation Wall & Postcard Exchange
Write a message to a stranger, and take one that lifts you up. Because sometimes the right words find us when we need them most.
šø Book Loverās Confession Wall
Pin up your anonymous confessions (bookish or otherwise). Dog-eared pages? Secret favourite character? We want to knowā¦
šæ EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
Wednesday 18th June
š§ Letās Talk Mental Health ā 6:30pm
Join Emma from Focussed Hypnotherapy for an open, stigma-free evening of shared stories and supportive conversation. Free, but booking recommended.
Thursday 19th June
šµ The Listening Table ā All Day
One table. Two cups of tea. Zero small talk. Come sit with someone new and connect through gentle prompt cards designed to spark real conversation. Just drop in.
All Week
šļø Bookshop Bingo
Pick up a Bingo Card and see how many mini-challenges you can complete! From finding a staff pick to taking a selfie in your favourite reading spot, there are prizes for the boldest bookshop explorers.
š FOR YOUNG BOOKWORMS
Saturday 15th & Saturday 22nd June
š§ø Mini Explorers Passport
Kids can pick up a special Bookshop Passportāstamp it as they complete fun challenges around the store! Includes a scavenger hunt, storytelling station, and a crafting corner to make their own bookmark.
ā PLUS...
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Fresh cakes, themed drinks, and comfy corners to curl up in all week long
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Secret Staff Picks shelf with bonus gifts for lucky browsers
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Launch of our new Ink & Ember Tote Bag ā limited edition for IBW only!
š Why It Matters
Independent Bookshop Week is more than a celebrationāitās a reminder that small things have big power. That books change lives. That community matters. And that your support helps keep spaces like ours not only open, but thriving.
So whether you join an event, share a post, or simply pop in for a cup of tea and a storyāyouāre part of this. And weāre so glad you are.
With love and literary joy,
The Ink & Ember Team
š Stamfordās independent bookshop cafĆ©