Don't forget your passport ... for books

If you're heading off on a day trip or a few days away in Ireland, don't forget to bring your 'passport' for the Global Book Crawl, writes Brian Byrne. This is an initiative making it a fun way of finding local bookshops while on holidays.

Twenty-three independent bookshops in Ireland are participating in the scheme, including our own Woodbine Books operated by Dawn Behan where local book lovers can pick up their own passport. The documents have the names and locations of the bookshops and can be stamped while visiting them. The initiative also encourages passport holders to attend cultural events organised by the shops. In addition, collecting five stamps entitles the holder to a 10pc discount coupon for their next purchase.

Indie bookshops across Europe and in north and south America, Africa, Asia and Australia have also signed up to the idea. "There are six spaces for 'international' stamps on the Irish passport," says Dawn, who likens the idea to a books journey 'camino'. "But each country also has their own version and you can get one when visiting a participating bookshop in any of those countries."

The Global Book Crawl launches worldwide on Monday next 21 April, with special events through the week.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy