Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Support Your Local Bookstore (Mini Rant) & Holiday Plans
Support your local bookstore rant:
Over the weekend, I saw a Twitter conversation about how much an
acquaintance loved visiting his local independent bookstore and buying
books there. His comments about finding every title he was looking for
set off my usual fit of jealousy.
If you have a good
independent bookstore anywhere near you, please make an effort to
support it. I live in an area ruled by Barnes & Noble. Although I
have no particular issue with B&N, I miss the days of shopping
at a small bookstore with a staff who recognized their regular customers
and who made an effort to do some hand-selling.
I was in our B&N last week to pick up two popular, well-known
books to give as Christmas gifts. I figured these books were new enough
that I'd have no problem finding them in the store. When I didn't see
them on the shelves, I asked for help. The clerk checked the inventory
and told me neither book was in stock. I could almost accept that
in mid-December, but here's the kicker: The clerk not only didn't offer
to order the books for me but also failed to suggest similar books I
might want to buy instead.
Fortunately, after browsing
the shelves, I was able to pick up some good second choices, so I didn't
leave empty handed. I can't tell you how much I wished we had a local
indie with knowledgeable employees. I could have used some
recommendations or a chance to order the books.
If you
have an independent bookstore in your area, be grateful. Frequent the
store. Go to their events. You have no idea how bleak it can be without a
good local bookstore.
My holiday blogging schedule.
I am going pretty light around here until January 4. I plan to post
Wordless Wednesday photos and Weekend Cooking link-ups as usual. I have a
reading goals post percolating in my brain, maybe another review, and I'm thinking of a nonbook post or two.
Other than that, you can find me on Instagram
and Twitter, and I'll be checking my blog reader so I can keep up on all of your news and reviews.
11 comments:
Barnes & Noble rules this area, too, but there is a small independent university bookstore that's a 30 minute drive in the opposite direction. I don't travel that way much, but try to find a reason several times each summer and fall. Happy Holidays!
Barnes & Noble deserves our support too. these days it's not indies vs. chains; it's everyone vs. Amazon. I'm sorry that your B&N let you down though. That said, if you don't have a local indie you can always shop indie online with another independent small store or a big store like Powells.com or strandbooks.com. their selection is as good as anyone's and their prices aren't bad either.
Yup, no independent bookstore here either. Barnes & Noble is our only bookstore for new books (well, we have a Hastings with a small book section.) Every time I go into our B & N there are more toys and less books...at this point I'm afraid they'll close down and I'll live in a town without a bookstore! YIKES!!
More money stays in your community when you shop at a local store of any kind so I try to shop in independent businesses as much as I can. Since my family owns a small business, I know first hand the way the big box stores do business and it's not always ethical.
The last indie ANYWHERE near me went out of business a few years ago, and it's so so sad to be without it. It was a great place to congregate with other readers, and the staff was excellent. Three cheers for supporting them if we have them.
I don't have a local independent, and the nearest B&N is hours away, so I shop at Amazon. I can't feel guilty about it. In a funny way, I do 'browse.' And the computer non-people are helpful in recommending books they think I would like. I've had to make my peace with this. Those of us in rural areas just don't have a choice.
I volunteer at a local used bookstore, run by the Friends of the Webster Library, and we love helping customers find just the perfect book. It's one of the most satisfying aspects of working there, and fun too, matching the person with the perfect book.
There was a great independent bookstore in my hometown. Sadly, it closed a few years ago. The independent bookstore in my area now is Powell's, which is bigger than B&N and doesn't feel very independent.
However, there is a small used bookstore near me that I quite enjoy. I can't always guarantee a specific title will be in stock at any time, but I do enjoy browsing there.
ever since Shakespeare & Co left the UWS there's not been another indie book seller in sight... I am unsure if Murder Ink is still up in the 90s along B'way i somehow think its not ... so its BN or Amazon online
i also think that bigger chain stores hire extra help for the holidays so maybe the clerk was a temp and had no clue how to sell books
I do support my local independent shop, and i am thrilled with how many people are buying books as gifts. Read on.
I was happy to find that my local independent was able to order books (with no shipping if I was willing to go back and pick them up). They also have a member discount. While its not as cheap as shopping Amazon, the money at least goes to authors, publishers, and as Kathy said, stays in your community. I'm going to try and buy local more often this year.
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