Glimmers Between Pages
Homage to independent bookstores
Books have been an integral part of my entire life. When I was a child, my parents read bedtime stories and the house was filled with books of all kinds. My father sold books in his stationery store, and I got to read the newest edition of the Nancy Drew series the moment it arrived. Anne of Green Gables fed my active imagination, and I found kindred spirits in Little Women (Jo, of course) and Pride and Prejudice (the wild and headstrong Elizabeth).
I’m sure I’ve spent half my life in libraries and bookstores, exploring the shelves and discovering new authors. Perhaps you have too. If so, you’ll be delighted to hear that independent bookstores are thriving.
There was a time, not too long ago, when indie bookstores seemed to be vanishing under the threat of digital reading, online retailers and large corporate bookstores. But last year, in the United States alone, over 400 new independent bookstores joined the American Booksellers Association, an increase of nearly 100 over the previous year. Physical books continue to dominate the market accounting for nearly three-quarters of all book sales.
Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, suggests that this growth may be a reaction to the current political climate and a backlash against corporate billionaires and algorithms.
“Indie bookstores are proving to be an antidote for the time we’re living in.”
~ Allison Hill, CEO, American Booksellers Association
In Canada, indie bookstores are teaming up on a new platform. Online bookseller Les librairies indépendantes du Québec has launched an English version of its website, Booksellers.ca, as part of its expansion across Canada. The site offers the inventory of indie bookstores in Canada in one digital marketplace. There are now 160 independent booksellers on the platform with the plan to add 100 more by the end of the year. This model which has been successful in Quebec offers customers a wider selection of books than in a single store plus the convenience of ordering online.
What’s your favourite independent bookstore? And what makes it special for you?
Thanks for the tip on booksellers.ca. Nancy, Anne with an E, and the March sisters were also my friends as a girl.
Hi Julie,
Thank you for this wonderful article. I am so glad that bookstores are not only surviving, but thriving! Like you, I adore books. I prefer reading them hard copy. Nothing is like print.