For the Love of Local Bookshops
If it wasn’t already evident, I’m an avid reader. It’s my escape. My chance to view the world through someone else’s eyes or to imagine a different world entirely. There are books that make me see my life in a new way, books that make me question history and society, and books that just make me smile and tingle inside.
I very recently started traveling again and had to redefine what this looks like. I used to travel and walk miles and miles a day, going all over the city, seeing all buildings and gardens, and randomly getting lost. This is not possible when you have chronic fatigue and your feet throb after ¾ of a mile. While I’ve progressed and improved and regressed and improved again, my concept of travel has morphed.
I now set mini goals. I find a vegan restaurant I want to try, I choose a hotel near something I want to see, and, most importantly, I find at least one local bookshop to hit up. My favorites have a well-curated collection, a cozy feel, and are alphabetized(!). I, personally, don’t find it kitschy or quaint for it to be hard to find books. My own library is rarely in any sort of order besides “read” and “to be read.”
What I search for depends on where I am. Scotland? I want a local author. Sacramento? I want a political theme. A bookstore with a strong Jane Austen vibe? I’m definitely wanting some Jane spin-offs. Sometimes I grab a book that catches my eye or is on my TBR list. I rarely regret a book purchase and know that I’ve supported a local, small business.
A few years ago I found the website Bookshop.org. They source from local bookshops and profits benefit a location of your choice. I stopped supporting Amazon. My books come from the library, a local shop, or Bookshop.org. They are new and growing, you notice it in their search function and selection, but they will improve. They have about 90-95% of the books I look for, and I always leave with a full basket. You pay a small shipping fee, but that is a decision I made when choosing to support small businesses and not Amazon. I buy directly from small business websites.
I highly recommend if you’re looking for a corporate big box alternative. Several of the bookshops I found on recent travels had signs posted to find and support them on Bookshop.org.
I have an affiliate shop with a few curated lists that I set up this week! Check it out HERE, find some new reads, check back often for more suggestions. I suggest nothing below a 3 star rating from me. I look forward to hearing what you think! Let me know if there’s a specific genre you’re interested in, my interests are broad and I’ll probably have suggestions.
While I prefer physical books, rest assured that ebooks, audiobooks, and graphic novels count just as much. Find what works for you and embrace it, ❤️ Petra.
