Why You Should Support Your Local Bookstore
You’ve Heard This Before, And You Will Hear It Again: Support Your Local Independent Bookstore. Most adults who are avid readers know deep down that supporting the bookstore next door is good, but when it comes time to pre-order a book or grab a last-minute couple of titles to take with you on the weekend, you feel craving for Amazon. You don’t need to leave your home. It will arrive right at your door, no shipping charges, in a day or two. And yes, it’s even cheaper. But wait!
We know it’s good to support local businesses of all kinds, because a lot more of the money you spend there stays local, less packaging and you reduce your carbon footprint. But when we have the opportunity, that’s why, in particular, independent booksellers deserve so many reviews.
The staff are super knowledgeable
Sure, you can get recommendations from your friends or check out Goodreads reviews, but sometimes you need to talk to someone who is immersed in a wide variety of genres because you need serious suggestions.
You might think you want to try reading a romance novel for the first time, but you’re completely at a loss where to start. Or you want to buy a present for your elderly grandfather (who loves to read books about world wars) or your teenage niece (who is into graphic novels), but that’s all you need to continue. If you are a regular customer, an independent bookseller will likely recognize your taste as well and prepare a recommendation for you the next time you visit. This concept is clearly more personal than “other people who bought x also bought y. “
The independent bookseller always monitors news and popularity to know what to buy, what to read, and what to recommend.
The shopping there supports the book itself.
When you shop at an independent bookstore, you are supporting the store and the new book and its author. Former Lifehacker staff writer Nick Douglas explains why:
Many books are published each year … [and] booksellers have to decide which of these books someone wants to buy and stock up on them. They can’t just store everything in a warehouse like Amazon does.
So if your favorite author isn’t that important anymore – we’re talking about the Daniel Steele level – chances are your local store won’t have their new book, or just one or two copies on the back shelves instead of in a better place on the front desk.
But if you – and your fellow fans – pre-order the book, the seller will have strong evidence that there are followers and that they should have the book available and help promote it. They may even read the book to personally recommend it, or organize an event for the author.
Atmosphere guys
Imagine this for a moment: what would life be like if we no longer had our beloved local bookstore? My local bookstore (brag: this is the oldest full-time bookstore in the country ) is one of my favorite places. Almost every time I wander through my historic small city center, I drag my family inside to buy a book because I can’t stand the thought of losing the store vibe.
Independent bookstores are quirky and cozy. They are often infused with natural sunlight, fresh coffee, and comfy chairs to curl up in while you decide whether the first few pages of this book will take you over. (Did you know that Amazon doesn’t have? Sunshine, a place to relax, and a hot steaming latte, that’s what.) Yes, books are more expensive, but you get what you pay for and what you get at your local bookstore. the store is a book and a good day.
They also host events, often with local authors or artists (hooray, local support!) And some of your favorite big-name authors traveling on their latest book tour. In this way, they provide you with the opportunity to free your inner fan / boyfriend.
If you’ve already lost your bookstore, I’m sorry. You’re not alone; The New Yorker reports that – sob – more than one bookstore closed every week in the past year. But if you haven’t lost yours yet, don’t let this happen to you.