This week’s prompt from Top Ten Tuesday is an indie freebie, but I already talked about mostly indie bookshops in a recent post! So I’m going to talk about ten reasons to support indie bookshops.
- Indie bookshops can be a huge part of their community.
They rarely just sell books, but often have events, provide a space for meetings, provide local advertising space, etc. - The selection isn’t mandated by corporate.
An independent bookshop can’t be told they “have to” stock gender critical nonsense or stacks upon stacks of the latest bestseller; they can exercise their own judgement. - The selection can be as weird and wonderful as the curator wants.
Not only do they not have to stock things they don’t want to, they can choose to stock only books they personally champion, lesser-known gems, etc. At the end of the day they do need to sell books… but they can afford to have some on the shelves that fit more niche interests. - It helps the fight against monopolies.
Amazon is so powerful because people feel like they can’t get what they need anywhere else. A thriving indie bookshop can be part of a local economy that says no to that. - They can specialise.
Think of some of the bookshops I mentioned like Criminally Good Books (a crime and mystery shop) and Portal Bookshop (LGBT and diverse SF/F). Waterstones is never going to set aside an entire store for a single genre, and while they can get a decent breadth of popular fiction in each genre stocked, the quality of the stock will depend on the booksellers’ knowledge. If you’ve never noticed this, try going to different Waterstones shops: they have similar selections, but not the same. There was one I went to where they clearly had a classic crime aficionado on staff, because I found some real gems. But this is the default at a specialist indie! - Indie bookshops can order rare stock.
Sometimes they have sources that a chain doesn’t or won’t use, like self-publishing platforms. - You probably don’t actually need next day delivery.
This goes to the same point as #4. We don’t actually need instant gratification when it comes to most books. Sure, sometimes you might need a textbook or reference work really quick… but most of the time it’s not necessary, and indie bookshops can often acquire stock pretty fast if you ask them to order. - Indie bookshops can stock books from other countries.
Sometimes when a book has only been released in the US, an indie can import it to the UK, and vice versa! Even if they don’t have a lot of imported books on the shelves (or you don’t know how to tell), it can be worth asking if it’s something they do. - Browsing a physical bookstore can be a lot of fun.
And enlightening! This is true of physical chains as well, of course, but see my earlier points about indie bookshop curation. Browsing a well-curated indie can bring a lot of surprises. - More bookshops and more booksellers is always a good thing.
Even if you also use chains sometimes (I do!) or rely on libraries for most of your reading (they deserve support too!), then it’s great to support the diversity of bookshops and bookselling out there.
I’m probably preaching to the choir here… but sometimes that’s fun!
I will finish by adding that since that aforementioned post recommending specific indies (only two weeks ago, and in fact on the very day I’d posted it), I learned about a new-to-me indie bookshop in Cardiff called Love Stories. You can find it in Castle Arcade, opposite Troutmark Books, the second-hand bookshop I previously recommended. Love Stories is small but has a pretty good selection, and I had a nice chat while I was there too. So consider that one recommended too!
These are all excellent reasons to buy from indie shops!
I feel like indies have had a bit of renaissance in the UK in the last few years, too, which is lovely.
Great list! As an international reader, I love visiting countries that have many indie bookstores. I would definitely love to support them more
Dini @ dinipandareads recently posted…#TopTenTuesday: Indie Freebie!
It feels like the UK has had a bit of a flowering of them lately; I don’t know of many in any one place, but usually I can find one near to somewhere I’m visiting or something. There’s at least three I already know and like in York, and I know there are a couple of others, which makes it a nice day trip.
I love this take on the topic 🙂 I honestly think indie bookshops >>>> big chain bookshops like Barnes and Noble. Whenever I’m traveling, I always try to find an indie bookstore to support (and of course support them in my local community as well!)
The big chains (like Waterstones in the UK) definitely have their uses, but I will always visit indies first and foremost, if I can! I wish there was an indie bookshop in my area, but it’s not too far to travel for them.
Oh, for sure. I definitely still use the big chains! Especially when booktok forces me to buy a new book 😀
Great list of some great reasons! I buy from my local indie bookstores whenever I can. (I’m lucky; I have a couple of good ones near me.)
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday ~ Newly Published Indie Books
Yeah, same. Or I use Bookshop.org to benefit them, while still shopping online for convenience. There are a bunch in York which isn’t exactly next door, but makes for a good day trip!
Lots of fantastic points!
Thank you!
I adore shopping at indie bookstores, but I rarely seem to visit the one closest to me. I find myself drawn to them while on vacation (like the one I visited 2 years ago while on an Alaskan cruise). I think when I’m home, it’s just easier to get to the big-box bookstore.
Convenience is definitely a thing! I try to buy indie where I can… but sometimes convenience wins.
There are a couple of great indie bookshops near me and I should pay them both another visit soon! 🙂
Yaaay! It’s always nice to support an indie.
I love my local indie. It’s a great, quirky space with SO much to offer. It’s a fun place to shop and support.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Exactly!
I agree with all your points! Browsing indies is the best, you never know what you will find
Exactly, so many surprises.
A great list reminding us of the importance of indie bookstores, thanks for sharing your #TTT
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Indie Books on My TBR
Thank you!
Yes I love this so much! So many excellent and valid reasons to love Indie bookshops and I love visiting them when I am able :)!!
Exactly! Sometimes it’s not easy to get to one, but it’s lovely when we can.
Yeah, like there aren’t many if any near my house. Well there is the one from the library and the money goes back to the library so I don’t know if that’s indie but at least it goes back into the community so I like that one a lot too 🙂 !
It’s not technically an indie, I think, but it’s still really good for the community!