A Booktopian Society

Hello, Friends! How many of you love to escape within the pages of a good book, one that transports you to another place, another time, another reality? If Utopia is an imagined place or state of ideal perfection, then Booktopia is its literary counterpart. Booktopia, however, isn’t an unrealized dream; it truly exists.

And it’s right here in Manchester, VT! 

You are cordially invited to the Northshire Bookstore Festival: A Weekend in Booktopia, May 1 through May 3, for an intimate gathering of readers and writers in beautiful Vermont. The weekend will include author conversations, readings, signings, bookish trivia, book bedazzling, a yankee book swap, and a festive opening night party.

Their 2026 festival authors are C. J. Dotson, Jennifer Dugan, Susan Gregg Gilmore, Alia Hanna Habib, Jimin Han, Stephen Kiernan, T Kira Madden, Lauren Morrow, Emma Parry, John Sayles, Kim Van Alkemade, and Jung Yun. The weekend will include an insiders' conversation about the book industry with literary agents Alia Hanna Habib and Emma Parry and book publicist Lauren Morrow.

Whether you’re coming from far away or just around the corner, the Northshire Book Festival is sure to evoke your inner Booktopian dreams!

Northshire Bookstore Festival: A Weekend in Booktopia

Schedule

Festival check-in will take place at Northshire Bookstore's main entrance on May 1-3. All presentations and Festival events will take place either at Northshire Bookstore's Manchester store or at the First Baptist Church, across the street from the store.

Tickets

You can purchase tickets for each individual day or save by purchasing a three-day festival pass. Tickets other than the Sunday-only ticket all include a $50 Northshire Bookstore gift card. You will receive your gift card upon check-in at the festival!

Lodging

If you are traveling to Manchester for the Northshire Book Festival, stay at one of their official partner hotels.

Aspen Hotel: Rates start at $104/night before taxes and fees. 

The Inns of Dorset: Booktopia rates start at $195/night before taxes and fees and include breakfast. Call 802-867-5500 or 802-867-4555 to reserve and mention BOOKTOPIA to receive the discounted rate.

Kimpton Taconic Hotel: Special Booktopia rates start at $149/night before taxes and fees. Meals at the Copper Grouse will be 10% off for Festival attendees. 

Reluctant Panther Inn: Rooms are $239.20 or $287.20 before tax for Festival attendees. Call 802-362-2568 and mention BOOKTOPIA to book.

Toll Road Inn: Festival attendees will pay $120/night for a room with 2 double beds and $130/night for a room with a king bed. There is a two night minimum stay to receive this rate. Book online and use the code BOOKTOPIA.

The Wilburton Inn: Rooms are $185/night. Attendees can call 802-362-2500 and mention BOOKTOPIA, or book online and use code BOOKTOPIA.