A mix of both. I have a favorite used book seller on Etsy I love to death. I used to love a local indie bookstore, but new owners have changed it too much. I go to B&N and head straight for the Annex
Popular bookstores have all the new titles, but independent bookstores just feel cozy and more welcoming. Plus, I don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for hardcovers ☺️
Some independent bookstore have curated collections that match my reading taste. There was a great one on Lopez Island in Washington. I don't know if it's still there.
Independent book stores always have so much character and are a joy to explore! Plus I have met so many of their owners and just adore them. But I also love a good Barnes and Noble trip when I’m out of state and find one in an old lighthouse or something fun.
I had an alternative anarchist book store I frequented on South Street in Philly the "Wooden Shoe" (those in the know might get the automatic reference in French history, all right big hint) and even in the hood we have uncle Bobby's bookstore I have thousands in storage some maybe lost already!?
My fondest memories of living back home are of browsing the tiny niche bookstores in small corner of the streets with my sister. Or the one that would pop up every other Sunday under the city bridge like clockwork. I would buy romance, and fantasy, and Egyptology thrillers, pirate stories! Magic.
Whomever sells books, new, used, ebooks...mainly #fantasy but have varied interest from non-fiction, history, basically anything and everything that is interesting, intriguing or informative!...
Indie all the way, my local, and awesome, one is @bookendscarlisle.bsky.social new and used books with Cakes and Ale coffee shop who hold evenings of readings, quizzes and talks/signings.
I have not stepped into another bookstore besides Half Price Books since I moved back to the Midwest. I have so many books in my "que" so to say that I don't need a new release the day it comes out.
I'm lucky to live in a place with a good number of excellent independents, so I do that as much as possible. I stopped shopping for books at the Original Online Bookstore (you know who you are) years ago.
And if anyone ever has the chance "Poor Richard's" in Frankfort, KY is *amazing *!
Wonderful bookstore with a cafe. Lots of very old books, new books, magazines. And the entire upstairs is all old books.
A used bookstore will always be my favorite. The smell when you walk in is the appetizer for the imagination.
But new stores I like, too. There's a variety in both. New stores have some discount prices and sections.
I feel both are important.
I enjoy both. The big stores will have popular printings usually at a good price, but independent stores have the unique items and stuff that is older as the big guys only keep what is popular.
All. My wallet doesn't allow me to frequent the independent bookstores as much as I'd like (they can't run the sales that the popular chains can, and there's no way they can compete with secondhand bookstores or even Kindle) but I do try. My little local bookstore: Woolly Bear Books in Carnegie, PA
It is tiny! It also JUST opened on Halloween and I've bought 3 books and have 2 more on order. Obviously I can't keep it open all by myself but I talk it up as much as I can!
Browsing a used book store (or one that sells both used and new books) beats any other bookstore activity hands down. My favorites are The Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), and Blossom Book House in Bengaluru (India). Both have incredibly diverse selections with many hidden gems.
I love either/both! Sadly it seems the number of bookstores is declining, so I’ll take whatever I can find. It’s one of my favorite me-time activities to do; just hang with the words.
popular booksellers usually have the books i’m looking for for a lower price :/ if I made more money I’d love to go to independent bookstores more often because they’re always so cozy
My go-tos are small, used independent sellers. The prices are reasonable and the selection eclectic. I don't mind finding notes in books provided they're legible, often offers a different perspective from my own. They frequently get their stock from estate sales, so nicely bound, hardly used books.
Comments
Cutting out Amazon.
Billionaires taking away our democracy in order to enrich themselves can F off.
It's important to note that many independent bookstores don't support indie authors.
Even on here. I followed a few, they don't follow back. 😊
And the library- love the library!💕
https://squarebooks.com/history
Wonderful bookstore with a cafe. Lots of very old books, new books, magazines. And the entire upstairs is all old books.
But new stores I like, too. There's a variety in both. New stores have some discount prices and sections.
I feel both are important.
Especially ones willing to custom order if they don't have a book in stock.
Better feel, community oriented, & supporting local folks (as well as your fave authors, of course). ✌🏻
Big name store if I can’t find a title at an independent store.