With $900 in donations for The Book Bike, I visited three independent Chicago bookstores on Saturday, June 19th. My friend Duran came along to document the journey (his video will be posted here in a week or so) and my girlfriend Jamie was with us taking photos (posted above).

Thank you to Linda and Kate of Women & Children First, Liz and Edie of Quimby’s and Suzy of The Book Cellar for taking time from a (wonderfully) busy day to share book suggestions and talk to us about your stores.

Here is the official tally of money spent on books and zines for the day:

$298.15 at Women & Children First +
$299.60 at Quimby’s Bookstore +
$300.75 at The Book Cellar
$898.60 spent at three independent bookstores in one day

Click through the photos below to learn more about each and every title purchased. All titles you see here will be given away from The Book Bike this summer.

The Book Bike will be at Palmer Square Park (Chicago) on Saturday, June 26th as a friend of New Belgium Brewing Company’s Tour de Fat. Ride your bike out to support West Town Bikes and grab a book from The Book Bike!

There is no exaggeration when I write that none of this, quite literally none of this, could have happened without your donations. And so, since the precedent has been set by your support, I make this pledge: For every $300 raised, I will spend it at a different independent bookstore. This way we can continue to spread the love to brick-and-mortar indies and hopefully introduce you to bookstores you haven’t heard of before (suggestions on where to spend donations are always welcome).

Please re-post and, if you can, donate today.