Missouri’s independent bookshops are vibrant small businesses fostering creativity, literacy and community in their Missouri hometowns.

This year, 33 bookshops — including the River Reader Bookstore in Lexington — are launching the first statewide Missouri Indie Bookshop Tour, offering readers, travelers and book lovers of all ages the opportunity to journey across the state, exploring the bookshops, literary landmarks, local businesses and cultural destinations that make Missouri unique.

The Missouri Indie Bookshop Tour kicks off on Independent Bookstore Day, Saturday, April 25.

Visitors who participate in the Tour will pick up passports at their first bookshop – or may download a passport from the web site, moindiebookshop.com beginning April 25.

Each bookshop that participants visit will provide an official 2026 Tour Sticker. There is no purchase necessary to participate in the Missouri Indie Bookshop Tour. The Tour runs through Aug. 31.

Participants are eligible for tiered drawings for prizes based on the number of bookshops they visit and stickers they secure – starting with five bookstore visits! More than $1,000 in bookstore gift certificates will be given away as prizes.

Details on prizes and official rules can be found at moindiebookshoptour.com.

The 2026 Missouri Indie Bookshop Tour is supported by funding from the participating independent bookshops.