'Such a treat': Briony of Marsden's Books on bookshops and libraries

Bookshop Day takes place on the 11th October 2025, and as a place of all things books, Kete loves our bookstores! Marsden Books in Karori is 'an oasis for book lovers of all ages, passionately defending the written page for the future generation'. Kete caught up with Briony Hogg, owner and manager, to ask about their plans for Bookshop Day as well as what inspires them as a bookseller.

What excites you about Bookshop Day and what do you enjoy the most about it?

Bookshop Day is a chance to celebrate the local bookstores in your community. These stores offer personal service, curated selections, and a love of books that’s hard to find in big chains or online retailers. Bookstores are often community hubs. I know that in my store, I have customers that just pop in for a chat even when they aren’t looking to purchase a book. I love Bookshop Day as it creates a real buzz and I love hearing from our customers about how much the bookshop means to them.

What do you have planned? Does it bring a sense of energy and joy to the day?

We have New York Times bestselling author Rachael Herron visiting to give free tarot card readings – her new book The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland is centred around a tarot card reading so it’s very apt! Amazing that such an internationally renowned author lives right on our doorstep! We will also have a visit from another local author (and legend) Vincent O’Malley to sign copies and talk about his book The Meeting Place. We love supporting local authors!

We will also have loads of fun giveaways and sweet treats. And because the theme of Bookshop Day this year is “community” we are giving away $5 book tokens to other local businesses in Marsden Village to encourage our customers to spread the love and shop local – and maybe walk away with a token to come and spend in our store!

If you were a reader, what would you recommend readers and booklovers do to make the most of Bookshop Day? Are there any events at other bookshops you'd like to go to?

If you are lucky enough to have an independent bookstore in your community, please visit them on Bookshop Day and tell them how much you love and appreciate them! If I wasn’t working that day, I would definitely be popping into the other independent bookshops in the Wellington region – Schrödinger’s Books in Petone have a kids dress up competition which would be fun to see!

What inspired you to become a bookseller?

I just love reading. You get so much from a good book! Comfort, escape, inspiration and knowledge. When I took over Marsden Books I was ready for a new challenge in my professional life, and the opportunity to purchase my beloved local bookstore was too good an opportunity to pass up. And now I find myself part of a community of booksellers in Wellington that support and uplift each other every opportunity we get, and it is so valuable and I am so happy to get to do something I love every single day.

Do you have memories of bookshops from before you owned your own bookshop that are special?

I grew up in Nelson and my earliest reading memories are from the Nelson Library. It was housed in an old, dark building that seemed a little like a prison, but it was such a treat when we visited! I have an older sister who is also a voracious reader, and we used to sneak into each other’s rooms at night and read books together under the covers with a torch. Very special memories! The books that really sparked my love of reading were The Famous Five, Anne of Green Gables, and Charlotte’s Web.

Check out Bookshop Day events online here: https://www.booksellers.co.nz/bookshop-day-2025-events