Why BOOKSHOP.ORG?
I love Bookshop.org for several reasons:
1)Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores.
2)Bookshop.org works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world.
3)Bookshop.org believes that bookstores are essential to a healthy culture. The believe they are special places where authors can connect with readers, where readers discover new writers, where children get hooked on the thrill of reading that can last a lifetime. They believe that local bookstores also anchor the downtown and community.
But for me… it’s their story. (It’s always the story that hooks me.)
Bookshop.org began as an idea to help support bookstores and their communities but I’m sure they had no idea the impact they would have or the events that would follow their launch. Shortly after they opened their doors in January of 2020 with just 88 bookstore partners and a team of four, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Remember the dark days of 2020? When the world shut down and stayed home? It was an especially scary time for independent booksellers and therefore probably for Bookshop.org as well, but as the pandemic spread, Bookshop.org’s growing platform helped independent booksellers survive. In fact, it’s been reported that traffic to the Bookshop.org site hit 1 million in a single day in the spring of 2020. (Wow! That’s a lot of books!)
Now I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone reading this that Amazon sells over 60% of all books in the US. Bookshop.org recognizes this as a threat to the future of bookstores to readers, authors, and publishers who rely on a diverse, healthy ecosystem for books. Thankfully Bookshop.org created an alternative to Amazon for socially conscious online shoppers giving readers the convenience of online shopping while supporting independent bookstores at the same time. This forethought proved to be very beneficial to many independent bookstores who found themselves struggling in the Covid shutdown and may have closed if not for the support of Bookshop.org.
“The rapid rise of Bookshop.org during the shutdown has been hailed as a boon for independent stores.” New York Times
I for one am so grateful for the support Bookshop.org gives to local booksellers. Visiting bookshops, buying books, and talking with other people about books are among the top five things I like to do. That’s three out of five. I couldn’t imagine a world without my favorite bookstore, and neither can they. They believe that “local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a love of reading, and they are committed to helping them thrive. They give independent bookstores tools to compete online and financial support to help them maintain their presence in local communities.”
“Consider [Bookshop.org] the Rebel Alliance standing up to the Amazon Empire.” Chicago Tribune
I love this quote from the Chicago tribune. It gives this story a David and Goliath or Erin Brockovich kind of feeling. Doesn’t it? So, why not buy your books from people who are working every day to support local bookstores not close them? You can even choose which bookstore to support.
Yes, it is true. I am an affiliate for Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I’ll earn some book money which I promise to read and review and share.
The facts and quotes written in parts and full here can be found on the bookshop.org website.