Join 420 independent bookstores in 48 states for parties, author readings, in-store events, and exclusive day-of merchandise.

Bookstore Day marks its second year of celebrating independent bookstores nationwide on April 30th, with literary parties around the country.

We will be celebrating with a coloring party for grown-ups. From 11am – 2pm, coloring pages and supplies will be provided, or you can bring your own. There will be hot cocoa and eclairs. Plus, there will be drawings for free coloring books, as well as free book giveaways.

We are proud to support the joys of reading by donating 13% of all adult book sales from this event to our local library, the Hamilton Public Library.

We will also offer exclusive day-of merchandise created especially for Independent Bookstore Day by major publishers and authors. Since its inception in 2014, more than 120 authors have demonstrated their support for independent bookstores by donating work for Bookstore Day.

The second annual National Independent Bookstore Day is sponsored in part by Penguin Random House, Ingram, and The American Booksellers Association. Last year participating bookstores saw an average increase in sales of 70% on Independent Bookstore Day. “We had a marvelous Independent Bookstore Day—5.5 times the sales from last year on this date. But the best part was the many customers who came in to celebrate!” said John Paul from Letterpress Books in Portland, Maine.

“I love Bookstore Day because it is a large-scale communal event that joyously celebrates the literary ecosystem and shows how symbiotic the relationship is between readers, writers, and bookstores is, and how essential they all are in sustaining the contemporary written word,” noted Lauren Groff, 2016 Bookstore Day Author Ambassador. Groff is the author of Fates and Furies, Arcadia, Delicate Edible Birds, and The Monsters of Templeton.

Independent Bookstore Day is proud to announce a selection of exclusive books and art pieces for Bookstore Day 2016. These limited edition, unique items will be available only at participating IBD bookstores, on April 30. Not before. Not online. And not in chain stores.

Children’s items include:
● Raymie Nightingale: A special signed & numbered edition of the new novel by two-time Newbery Award winner Kate DiCamillo. Includes a special note from Kate.
● Draw Me!: Includes step-by-step instructions on how to draw characters like Mo Willem’s Pigeon, Curious George, Fly Guy, and many more.
● Neil Gaiman Coloring Book: This book features colorable illustrations by Chris Riddell from Neil Gaiman’s Coraline; The Graveyard Book, and Fortunately, the Milk.
● Curious George® plush doll: This collectable Curious George® plush doll sports a t-shirt that reads READ TO ME on the front and the IBD logo on the back.

Adult items include
● Literary Tea Towels: This set of two 100% cotton flour sack tea towels feature quotes on reading from David Mitchell and Anna Quindlen.
● Bookstore Cats Pouch: This handy 100% cotton canvas zippered pouch was designed by Out of Print and featuring portraits of real bookstore cats.

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National Library Week (April 10^th – 16^th) is a national observance first sponsored by the American Library Association in 1958. It’s a time to celebrate the valuable contributions of libraries and librarians and the unique ability they have to transform lives. This year’s theme, “Libraries Transform”, reminds us of the power libraries have to positively affect communities by providing free access to technology, digital resources, and endless literary material. We encourage you all to visit your public, school, or academic library during National Library Week, and show your support for these community cornerstones.

Here at the Colgate Bookstore, we proudly support our local library by donating 13% of all book sales from children’s and adult book-related events to the Hamilton Public Library. Through this collaboration of local business and public service, we aim to raise awareness of the importance and joy of reading while supporting both community cornerstones.

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Emily Dickinson

Born in 1830 to a respectable New England family, Emily Dickinson was known to her family and peers as little more than a reclusive woman who spent all of her time locked in her room writing poetry no one was allowed to read.

Today, however, Dickinson is recognized as an innovative, pre-modernist poet, and one of the greatest poets in the English language. Her poetry, taught in classrooms around America, is beloved by many.

Self-described as “a Loaded Gun” and a “still — Volcano,” Dickinson lived in her family’s home in Amherst, Massachusetts for most of her life. Called by her friends the “Queen Recluse,” the “partially cracked poetess,” or the “Myth of Amherst”, Dickinson lived her life in total disregard for the opinions of others. And when she decided to wear only white and never leave her family’s property, she was called the “Nun of Amherst.” It was only after her death and subsequent fame that she became known as the “Belle of Amherst.”

A recluse who talked to visitors through doors, and never left her family’s property for the last two decades of her life, Dickinson anonymously published fewer than a dozen of her nearly 1800 poems during her lifetime. Writing her poetry on envelopes – opening them, and cutting them so that the shape of the paper would flow with the form and meaning of the poem – Dickinson kept her poetry hidden in her room. It was only after her death in 1886 of Bright’s disease that her younger sister Lavinia discovered her collection.

Her poetry style was unconventional and new, and her now famous dashes, as written, were inconsistent in both shape and size. Some dashes are longer than others – and some are even vertical.  Scholars are still puzzled to know the meaning of these odd marks of punctuation.  Here’s a stanza taken from her original unedited manuscript of  “Before I got my eye put out”:

The meadows—mine–
The mountains—mine–
All forests—stintless stars–
As much of noon, as I could take–
Between my finite eyes–

In 1976, William Luce wrote a one-woman play entitled The Belle of Amherst. Based on the life of Emily Dickinson, the play uses excerpts from her work, diaries and letters to recreate the moments of her life.

Arts at the Palace in Hamilton NY is pleased to showcase The Belle of Amherst on March 12^th, 2016 at 7p.m.  Described by Rex Reed of the New York Daily News as “a magnificent new play. An arresting, riveting experience unlike any I’ve known. An overwhelming, meticulous adventure full of passion and poetry and heart. William Luce’s text is like poetry itself”, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Visit http://artsatthepalace.org/ to learn more.

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Valentine’s Day is coming soon, so we’ve gathered up a few random facts about Valentine’s Day that you probably didn’t know. Read on to learn more!

The origin of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, but the most popular theory involves a Roman emperor and a bishop who believed in true love. Roman Emperor Claudius II decided that his best soldiers were unmarried men, and so decreed that all young men were forbidden to marry during wartime. Bishop Valentine, realizing the injustice of this, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, Valentine was jailed, and later put to death. While in jail, he wrote a note to his jailor’s daughter, signing it “from your Valentine”.

The X symbol became associated with the kiss back in medieval times. Most people of the lower-classes couldn’t read or write, and so signed their names in front of a witness with an X. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names to see who would be their Valentine. They would then wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This is how the expression, “to wear your heart on your sleeve” originated.

In Victorian times, it was considered bad luck to sign your Valentine’s Day card.

Today, approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged every year. It is the second largest day of seasonal card sending.

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Gear up for Seuss Saturday (March 12th, 2016) in Hamilton, NY, starting on February 16th.

“Where is The Cat in the Hat?” — That tricky cat will be visiting different local businesses as he gets ready to celebrate Seuss Saturday. Stop by the Hamilton Public Library each week to look for clues about where he’s been and write down your best guess. If you guess correctly, your name will be entered into a Saturday drawing to win a Dr. Seuss book from the Colgate Bookstore! We have four books to give away and you can participate once every week to try to track that crazy cat as he makes his way around town!

Animal Shelter Donations — In honor of Dr. Seuss’ newly released story, “What Pet Should I Get?” the Hamilton Public Library will also be collecting items for local animal shelters during this time. Please call or stop by the Library to see what items are most needed at this time. Donated items may be left at the display table across from the circulation desk during regular Library hours between February 16th and March 12th.

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The rivalry between Colgate University and Cornell University is both well-known and long seated. The men’s hockey team’s 94-year rivalry has included the two teams matching up more than any other team in their leagues.

Next weekend’s games will mark the 150th and 151st all-time meetings between the two Central New York rivals, with the series dating back to 1921. The Big Red holds a 77-57-15 lead in the series.

Every year, we design a commemorative rivalry t-shirt that celebrates the longstanding history between these two universities’ great hockey teams. We invite you to get your limited edition t-shirt today, and cheer on the Colgate Raiders on November 14^th at Starr Rink.

Go ‘gate!

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Teen Read Week is a national initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Beginning in 1998, and held annually in October, its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users.

This year’s theme is “Get Away @ your library”, spotlighting all the amazing resources and activities libraries have readily available to encourage teens to build their literacy skills while reading for fun. Libraries are a resource for teens to relax from the day to day grind of school, homework, and so on by escaping in to a book.

Here at the bookstore, we are partnering with our local library, The Hamilton Public Library, and the Hamilton Movie Theater in a celebration of this week, and the importance of reading.

Here’s how to participate:

• Head to the Hamilton Public Library to complete a literary scavenger hunt.

• Turn your finished scavenger hunt in at the circulation desk.

• Receive a voucher for one free Advanced Reader Copy from the Colgate Bookstore (while supplies last) in addition to a store coupon.

• Be entered into a raffle to win two free movie passes for the Hamilton Movie Theater!

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Downton Abbey…the object of almost as much fascination as the Harry Potter books.

The period drama, which debuted in the US in 2011, was the highest rated cable or broadcast show when its third series finale aired in February this year, reaching 12.3 million viewers and becoming the most popular drama in the history of the Public Broadcasting Service.

It has a remarkably wide appeal. Even celebrities are obsessed with it – from the late-night talk-show host Jimmy Fallon to the country star Reba McEntire, fans everywhere love this timeless British classic.

And here at the bookstore, we are no exception. That’s why we have a new display of Downton Abbey home décor, aprons, books and so much more!

Stop by to find the perfect gift for the Downton fan in your life!

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Here at the bookstore, “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a favorite novel we all love to read and recommend. And when we heard the news about a new book by Harper Lee, “Go Set A Watchman”, we knew we had to celebrate this event in style.

Harper Lee in 2007.

Which is why we’re having a Go Set A Watchman Release Party. The new book will be released on July 14^th, and we’ll be ready for it. Come to the bookstore from 4:30pm – 6:30pm for southern inspired refreshments, then stick around for a FREE screening of the film, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, starring the inimitable Gregory Peck.

Now, we all know the story of Atticus Finch, and his daughter Scout. But how much do we know about the person who brought these legendary characters to life?

Here are a few little known facts about Harper Lee.

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Adventure is defined as:

: an exciting or very unusual experience.

: participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises.

: a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.

We’re so excited to promote our new fabulous product: GoPro Cameras!

Thinking about going on an adventure? Dream it, do it, and capture it with your GoPro.

With features like built-in WiFi, waterproof durability and more, GoPro puts the power to capture, create and share in the hands of everyone.

So come shop our fabulous display on the second floor of the Colgate Bookstore.

How will you GoPro? Start your adventure today.

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