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A new initiative has been unveiled by An Post Irish Book Awards and offers book lovers across Ireland the chance to vote for their favourite bookshop.
The category has been added to the upcoming An Post Irish Book Awards, the annual literary event that celebrates and promotes Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible.
The new ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category is designed to acknowledge the significant role played by independent bookshops and local book store chain branches right across the country in helping their local communities to find and savour the titles of their choice. It’s no secret people tend to find comfort in books and reading, the COVID-19 pandemic was a pertinent example of this.
Customers simply have to click onto www.anpost.com/bookshopoftheyear to submit their nomination for their favourite bookshop. They will also have the option to explain the reasons for their choice. Readers can also enter by scanning the QR code in their preferred bookstore and following the instructions. In this case, entrants will be entered into a draw to win a €100 voucher for that bookstore.
Aoife Roantree, Chair, Bookselling Ireland
“Our bookshops are the lighthouses for every writerly boat on the ocean. Without them we cannot set sail. They are the little churches and heroic temples of our endeavours.”
Nominations for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ will close on 31 August 2021 and a shortlist consisting of one shop from each of the five regions (Leinster, Dublin, Munster, Connaught, Ulster) will be identified.
The shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2021 will be announced on Thursday 21 October, while the winners will be revealed at the An Post Irish Book Awards on 23 November, 2021.
A television programme will be broadcast on RTÉ One television in December and will culminate in one of the 2021 winning titles being announced as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2021’
An Post is also continuing with their hugely successful #ReadersWanted campaign, celebrating the value and joy of reading and encouraging everyone to pick up more books, more often. Simply search for the hashtag online to get involved.