Independent bookstore owners across East Texas have officially launched the inaugural East Texas Bookstore Crawl, a month-long event encouraging readers to visit locally owned bookshops throughout the region.

That momentum is reflected in Mineola, at The Page Turner bookstore on Broad Street.

The idea for a regional event began taking root online long before the first passports were printed.

The Page Turner owner Becky Osborne recalled seeing a book crawl shared on social media and telling her husband, “That would be so fun to do in East Texas.”

Regional coordination took off shortly after when Riann Killgo, owner of Nevermore Books in Elkhart, reached out to area shop owners to formally organize the joint effort across 18 participating locations.

“I knew this would be a great way to get to know all of the other indie bookstore owners and bring attention to these family-owned businesses,” Killgo said. “The whole goal behind the crawl is for people to discover all of the unique, amazing indie bookstores in our area.”

Participating locations are distributing event passports that readers can take to each store throughout the month to collect stamps.

Anyone gathering at least six stamps by Nov. 30 can submit their passport to enter a grand prize drawing, which includes a collaborative gift basket featuring items from all 18 storefronts and a sponsored two-night stay at a book-themed getaway on Richland Chambers Lake.

Osborne said customers began stopping by early seeking passports, alongside a steady influx of calls, texts, and messages from readers planning their routes and asking for operating hours.

Book enthusiast Angelia Miller set out with the goal of visiting all 18 locations during November.

“The small bookstores are all different and uniquely decorated, so it is super fun to visit and enjoy the atmosphere,” Miller said. “You can never go wrong supporting small businesses.”

Mineola merchants have partnered to offer perks: passport holders receive 10 percent off a book at The Page Turner, 25 percent off all products at Moon’s Harvest Bath & Body shop, and a discount on a cup of coffee next door at 1835 Coffee Company.

“Shoppers with the passport can really get a lot out of coming to Mineola,” Osborne said. “You can get to know a community by visiting a bookstore. All are so very different.”

Osborne, who has already visited several stops including The Headless Librarian and Bound Books in Lindale, said she plans to visit even more.

“I think what makes the bookstore route worth the trip is how different and unique each bookstore is,” Abbie Rhodes, owner of Bound Books in Lindale, said.

“We all have put our hearts and souls into each of our stores, which makes each of them special in their own way.” Killgo said offering a personal, human experience remains the core mission behind the entire effort.

“In a time where AI is taking over so much of the literary world, supporting local bookstores is more important than ever,” Killgo said.

“What we do offer is so much more valuable: recommendations about what we personally read, loved, and think you will connect with, a unique experience that is personable, and a quiet place for you to surround yourself with the stories that you love.”

Completed passports must be returned to any participating store by Nov. 30 to qualify for the final prize drawings. Readers can follow the East Texas Bookstore Crawl on Facebook for a complete list of participating stores, updates, and route details.