Enjoy the day with reading at 6 local stores in Rocket City Book Crawl
MADISON – Avid readers or those ‘increasing’ their game will enjoy the Rocket City Book Crawl on July 18.
Independent or ‘indie’ book stores – six of them – are uniting for a day full of books, community and ‘bookish’ fun, according to organizers.
“Independent bookstores are owned and operated by a single owner or partnership and are not affiliated with any of the big chains,” Robin Dauma said. Dauma is owner of South & Pine and Blue Apple Books in Madison.
“While indie bookstores can have more than one location (usually in the same geographical area), once a store hits about 10-12 locations, they are no longer considered independent.”
“Events like the Rocket City Book Crawl are crucial because they provide a fun and focused way for readers (and shoppers of gifts and bookish goods) to discover new locations, spread the word about the stores they love through a special event, and give people incentives (like the prize giveaways) to choose to shop local rather than with a chain or online,” Dauma said.
Six woman-owned book stores are participating in the crawl:
• All in Books — 1689 Slaughter Road, Suite A5 in Madison. Local indie shop for used books and all type of book-related treasures. Cozy, sustainable and community-driven.
• Blue Apple Books 14 Main St., Suite B and C. A local, independent bookstore in downtown Madison focused on community, creativity and curiosity. Authors often visit for meet-and-greet sessions.
• Blushing Books — 101 Clinton Ave. E. in Huntsville. Known as the ‘Romance Bookstore.’ Celebrated their one-year anniversary on June 27, 2026.
• Booklegger Club — 4001 Holmes Ave. NW, Suite A in Huntsville. Operates as used book store and community space with a coffee and tea bar. Cozy, curated and full of heart.
• The Bookwyrm — 7914 Memorial Parkway SW, Suite B6 in Huntsville. Book store with half the space for used books and the other half for a meeting place with cozy seating for quiet reading or chatting book groups.
• The Snail on the Wall 816 Wellman Ave. in downtown Huntsville. Known as Huntsville’s indie (independent) bookstore. Find new books, book recommendations, book clubs, authors and events.
Participants can follow steps to vie for prizes:
• Step 1 — Book crawl starts at 10 a.m. Pick up your passport at the first participating bookstore on your route in the crawl.
• Step 2 — Purchase a limited edition tote for a keepsake (only $20 at each bookstore). Receive a sticker stamp with a purchase at each bookstore Step 3 – After you have all the sticker stamps, cut along the dotted line and leave your completed passport with an employee at any of the book stores. You are then entered in the contest and will be eligible to win one of the impressive prizes.
“This is the perfect excuse to explore these local bookstores, discover your next favorite read and celebrate the incredible indie book community right here in Madison and Huntsville,” Dauma said.
“We can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet new book lovers along the way,” Dauma said. #RocketCityBookCrawl is their official hashtag.
