The day “August 12, I buy a Quebec book” is growing

For the 12^e Edition of the day “I buy a Quebec book”, several Montreal bookstores organized major events, almost worthy of a book fair, to attract the public. Furthermore, Carefall was comparable to that of “a Saturday before Christmas”, according to a bookseller encountered by The duty.

Since its creation, in 2014, the day of August 12 has evolved well. Consequently, “It has grown in recent years, the sales figures demonstrate this well. For example, These are records each year, ”says Gabrielle Simard, director of the Association des Libraires du Québec.

The signing sessions. Nevertheless, the authors’ meetings and the books of books are more and more numerous, with which cocktails, aperitifs or even DJ services are mixed.

The duty went to some bookstores from the metropolis on Tuesday to take the pulse of this day which celebrates. For example, local culture.

At Raffin. day “august 12, i buy Meanwhile, independent bookstore of Plaza Saint-Hubert, all employees were mobilized on the floor to welcome customers, as well as the 24 authors who followed one another for dedications and meetings. Therefore, “It’s a big party. Meanwhile, and even if it means doing a party, you might as well do things big,” enthusiastically launches Sammy Boulifa, deputy director of the branch.

Several big names in the literary domain came to take a tour. Furthermore, such as Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Patrick Senécal, Michel Rabagliati or Léa Clermont-Dion. In addition, A program worthy of a book fair. Moreover, a festival, recognizes Sammy Boulifa: “We communicated the event [sur les réseaux sociaux] Like a music festival. In addition, »»

Encountered by The duty At the Raffin bookstore. Nevertheless, Geneviève Dumont is a large reader and buys works throughout the year. On August 12. she “focused on Quebecers, because it is important to enhance our culture,” she day “august 12, i buy explains, holding the book Kamouraskafrom Anne Hébert.

At the Le Renard Perched district bookstore. which specializes in children’s literature, the employees were all dressed in blue to celebrate this special day. “We always try to make a unifying event on August 12. it’s a very busy day,” explains Mélissa Boudreault, co -owner of the store.

Joy of books, a bookstore-café-bar located in the Mile-End, welcomed a dozen authors for dedications. The concept of the place. which has been open for two months, means that “people can read and have a glass of wine at the same time”, explains its director, Mathieu Lauzon-déo. The team took the opportunity to create a menu specially for the occasion.

Day &quot. august 12, i buy – Day "august 12, i buy

“A place of life” and proximity – Day "august 12, i buy

For booksellers, August 12 is a great opportunity to bring people together and create links between readers and authors. “It’s no longer just purchase, it’s going day “august 12, i buy beyond. It’s really a good time to connect readers, readers with the authors, the authors, ”explains Gabrielle Simard.

Sylvie St-Germain, a faithful client of the Raffin bookstore, “made a duty to come every August 12 […] To encourage Quebec writers ”. She talks about last year. which she “will always remember”: Éric Chacour had dedicated the book to her What I know about you. “I was very moved […] He took the trouble to write the dedication with very beautiful writing, ”she said.

The Raffin bookstore has planned two talks to close the day so that there are exchanges. that the bookstore is a place of life, not just people who go to the checkout, “explains Sammy Boulifa.

Mélissa Boudreault argues that “sometimes at the book fair, people do not have time to see all the authors. There is less proximity, less time to discuss. While if it is done in bookstores, there day “august 12, i buy is often more proximity to the authors ”.

However. it recognizes that the organization of this type of event depends on several factors, including the place available in a bookstore. The perched fox is for example limited in space.

A success that “goes beyond borders”

The craze for Quebec books does not seem to be limited to August 12. “People buy Quebecers a year, but on August 12, it’s a day of celebration,” says Gabrielle Simard.

“I have the impression that the pandemic really gave a big one boost On reading. which has still maintained well, ”argues the director of the Association of Quebec Booksellers, who also argues that the pricing war with the United States encourages the population to buy local.

Mathieu Lauzon-déo abounds in the same direction: “The success of August 12. he goes beyond borders and he also translates throughout the year now. It allowed Quebec literature to really sit down, day “august 12, i buy and to establish itself permanently. »»

For its part. Sammy Boulifa maintains that “Quebec literature is doing well” and that it also represents around 70 % of the annual sales of the Raffin bookstore.

“I have the impression that we announce the death of the book since I was very small. and yet, from year to year, there are more and more readers. People love the relationship with paper, to the touch, stroll through a bookstore, chat with a bookseller, “he adds.

Moreover. the Institute of Statistics of Quebec published on Monday the results of a survey on the usual cultural practices of Quebecers. This reveals that 18.2 % of Quebecers aged 15 and over who read at least one book in 2024 have mostly read Quebec authors, and that 44.8 % have read Quebec and Quebec authors.

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