"The progressive sales of a Quebec book continue"
The 12th edition of "On August 12, I’m buying a book from Québec!" took place on Tuesday, continuing to celebrate and promote Quebecois authors. Organised by Les Librairies indépendantes du Québec, this annual initiative has grown over the years into a day for readers to show support for local literature by purchasing Quebec books.
In Montreal, bookstores like Raffin and The Perched Raven, specialising in general and youth literature respectively, welcomed a multitude of authors for signings and meetings. Raffin, located in the Plaza Saint-Hubert, had all employees on the floor to welcome customers and 24 authors, including big names such as Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, Patrick Senecal, Michel Rabagliati, and Lea Clermont-Dion. At The Perched Raven, all employees dressed in blue to celebrate the day.
The enthusiasm for Quebec books was not limited to this special day. The Institut de la statistique du Québec published a survey on the usual cultural practices of Quebecers, revealing that 44.8% of Quebecers read as many Quebec as non-Quebec authors. Moreover, 18.2% of Quebecers aged 15 and over who read at least one book in 2024 mostly read Quebec authors.
The trade war with the United States has also encouraged people to buy local books, giving a significant boost to independent bookstores like Raffin, whose sales figures for the day have been increasing significantly since its creation in 2014. Mathieu Lauzon-Dicso, a bookseller at Raffin, agreed with the success of August 12th and its impact on Quebec literature.
The day also served as a great opportunity to bring people together and create links between readers and authors. Genevieve Dumont, a regular book buyer, focused on Quebecois books on August 12th to valorise local culture. Joie de livres, a bookstore-cafe-bar, welcomed a dozen authors for signings and created a special menu for the occasion.
To close the day, Raffin Bookstore planned two talks to promote exchanges and make the bookstore a place of life. The 12th of August is not just a day for book purchases, but a day to celebrate and engage with Quebec literature.
The pandemic has given a significant boost to reading, which has been well maintained. The day's success is a testament to the enduring love for Quebec literature among readers and the vital role independent bookstores play in promoting and nurturing it.
