We all know that Amazon is killing small businesses, and one industry that is being hit even harder is indie bookstores. If you're anything like me, your soul dies just a bit anytime you click "submit" on an order on Amazon. So, I asked my Instagram and TikTok followers recently to share their favorite places to buy books that aren't Amazon and here are the results!
Bookshop.org makes it easy to support independent bookstores across the country. Readers can pick their favorite local (or not local if they prefer) bookstore through the sites map and that bookstore will receive full profits from their purchase. If a customer choses to not pick a specific indie bookstore, profits will be evenly distributed among independent stores-- even those that don't use the site. Bookshop.org ships to the US only but has international sites available for other regions. So, if you're looking for a completely online alternative to Amazon, this may just be the site for you!
Blackwell's is a UK based bookstore that ships to the US. If you're looking to buy a beautiful UK edition of a book, this site is for you. With the cost of shipping included in your order price, Blackwell's makes it easy to buy and ship internationally. And with a variety of bookish goods, they may just become your new one stop shop for all things books!
Powell's is the largest independent bookstore in the world. They have physical locations across Portland, Oregon but their website makes it easy to buy books from anywhere in the world. Powell's offers both new and used books and free shipping on orders over $50. You can even sell your books to the store easily online for store credit or cash through PayPal. All in all, Powell's is a great option if you're looking to support a US business or sell your own used books!
If you're looking to pair your book buying habit with support of charities, Better World Books may be just the site you're looking for. Not only can you buy the newest releases on the site, they offer used books and a place to donate your own used books for use in global literacy projects. According to their website, the company has raised millions of dollars for literacy and saved millions of books from landfills. So, if you're looking to go on a book buying spree, this company might just be for you! Oh yeah! They also offer free shipping.
Maybe you're an avid audiobook listener and if so, Libro.fm may just be the site for you. Libro.fm gives you the ability to support your favorite local independent bookstore. They also offer a monthly membership in which you get access to one audiobook a month or you can buy individual books whenever you want with no strings attached. You can listen to your audiobooks on their app anywhere and everywhere!
Bonus: Your Local Library!
This list would be incomplete without a mention of our favorite local literary resource, the library! If you're lucky enough to have a library system near you, you should check them out for all your reading needs. Most libraries offer online resources such as eBooks and audiobooks through the app Libby. You can even request your library to buy different titles if they don't already have them. Libraries are vital resources to our communities and the more we support them, the more good they can do!
Where are your favorite places to buy books online? Let me know in the comments!
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