A Book Town is a small rural town or village, close to major cities, in which second-hand and antiquarian bookshops are concentrated. Most Book Towns have developed in villages of historic interest or of scenic beauty. Their residents set up events around books - selling them, writing, reading, illustrating, printing, making and publishing them.
The first was set up in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, back in 1961. Now they're around the World, from Europe to Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Australia (see pic above of Clunes Booktown in full swing).
The International Organisation of Booktowns binds the towns together. Featherston is in the process of becoming a fledgling member.
Booktown events for the full list.
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