(but not much more)
One of my favorite Smiths quotes and so appropriate for this week’s Road Trip Wednesday! From YA Highway:
This issue has been weighing on me lately for several reasons. I want indie bookstores to survive. I want authors to get paid when I buy their books. And most of all, I want people to have access to books so that they can read.
Anyway, here’s my list, in order of most frequent purchases (I think, anyway).
1. Amazon. It’s easy, it’s fairly cheap, and I have a Kindle. It makes me feel kind of dirty shopping there, because I’d much rather buy from a brick-and-mortar shop, but as is well-documented, I am lazy.
2. Half Price Books. The flagship HPB on Northwest Highway is kind of a mothership to me. I probably buy the majority of my real (as opposed to ebooks) books here. This also makes me feel a little dirty, because I’m pretty sure authors don’t get paid when I buy their books used. However, HPB is based in Dallas, so at least I’m supporting the local economy (and my friend that works in their headquarters). They also have a vibrant community presence and do a lot of good for charity. And the more I think about it, the more I wonder if HPB might actually beat out Amazon for my number one spot. Moving on…
3. New and used book stores in cities I visit. I travel a lot, and I visit bookshops whenever possible. I always leave space in my carry-on for a heap of books. Some favorites include Powell’s in Portland, Oregon; Dickson Street Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Burke’s Books in Memphis; Brattle Book Shop in Boston, and Crescent City Books in New Orleans. Over Thanksgiving, I discovered Shakespeare and Company in Paris, which was a book-lover’s dream. And I will always have a warm spot in my heart for The Winding Stair in Dublin.
4. Various other secondhand places. Like thrift stores, garage sales, library sales, etc. In Dallas, I sometimes buy a Paperbacks Plus, especially when I used to live around the corner from them.
5. Other. Like Barnes and Noble and big box stores. I much preferred Borders to B&N, and I was very sad when it closed.
So, that’s the list. One day, my friend Diana and I will open our own bookstore/cafe/small performance space, and we will merrily go into bankruptcy.
Unless there’s a miracle and bookstores begin to thrive again.
I hope there is a miracle.
So… Bookstore recommendations, anyone?
Small performance? π Sounds interesting!
I also buy a lot from amazon and do quite a bit of impulsive book shopping in different bookstores around the city. I have a soft spot for some shops in Paris…
“I want indie bookstores to survive. I want authors to get paid when I buy their books. And most of all, I want people to have access to books so that they can read.” I totally agree. Unfortunately, getting books into people’s hands sometimes has to happen at the expense of indie stores and authors getting paid. Sad, but that’s often my financial reality.
If you’re ever in Hay-on-Wye (in Wales, near the English border), you must do book shopping there. The town is essentially a used bookstore. You might never leave. π
I second what Colin quoted: βI want indie bookstores to survive. I want authors to get paid when I buy their books. And most of all, I want people to have access to books so that they can read.β
Perfect π
Con, it’s my life’s dream to go to the Hay literary festival. I hunk you’re right – if I visited Hay-on-Wye, I might just put down roots there.
Which reminds me, I’ve spent entirely too little time in Wales.
Stupid autocorrect! I totally wrote “Colin.”
I second Powell’s!! That place is awesome.
“We will merrily go into bankruptcy” — this is sad and funny all at the same time =( and =D Wouldn’t that be awesome, though? A bookstore/cafe/whatever? I also like what you had to say about indie bookstores and wanting authors to get paid, but also wanting people to have access to books. It especially drives me bonkers when I see outrageous prices in the children’s section of bookstores. I know there is one particular publisher that keeps their prices low so that kids can actually afford their books. Kudos to them.
I don’t think anyone has said this yet but go to betterworldbooks.com!! Right now they’re having a bargain bin sale 4 books for $12 bucks AND for every book you buy anytime of year there’s free shipping (anywhere in the world) AND they give one book away for every book you buy.
And you’re right, there’s not much in my world more wonderful than books. π
Aww thx for the HPB love Mandy!
Did you mean Crescent Books in New Orleans? You wrote Memphis. (Also, is that the place we found in the French Quarter when we were there for Megan’s wedding?) If you’re ever in Nashville, they have a great used bookstore there, too, called McKay’s. It’s the only reason to go to Nashville. It’s warehouse-like, like HPB, so it’s not cozy and warm, but it’s big and they have great prices. Also, we discovered another used bookstore in a strip mall in Memphis, called BookTraders that’s not bad. Next time you come to visit we’ll go there.
Ryan – yes, New Orleans. Thanks – I fixed it. And yeah, that’s the place we went during Megan’s wedding weekend. I’m planning a trip to Nashville soon, so I’ll hit up McKay’s.
Are you guys hitting up Dickson Street Bookshop this weekend?
We’re going tomorrow. When are you actually getting into town, by the way?
Tonight (Thursday night), super late.