Indie Bookshops are... Just Like Your Local Pub

December 1, 2008 - 10:35am — birdie

Independent bookstores are the sober equivalent of your local bar: Not only does everyone know your name, they know what you like. Furthermore, they benefit the publishing business: “Independent stores are where innovation lies,” says Kent Carroll of Europa Editions. “They can still make best sellers. The chains didn’t come onboard until after the fact.”

Here is New York Magazine's listing of fourteen great NYC bookstores.

Tell us about a favorite store near you and why you like them... Remember to buy local during the holidays and support a business in your community.

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Comments

December 1, 2008 - 5:19pm — mdoneil

Inkwood books

In Tampa Florida is Inkwood books. They are always able to get anything I ask for, and the staff is quite helpful. There is one guy there who occasionally wears a Texaco garage mechanic's shirt with the name Skip (or Chuck I can't recall) but his name is not Skip or Chuck. I find that amusing.

They have great events, booksignings, and author presentations and the staff is truly insterested in being booksellers, not just part time holiday help looking for a few dollars.

My local independent bookstore is in some ways like my local (pub). However I've never fallen down the stairs going to the bogs at my local independent bookstore.

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December 2, 2008 - 1:08am — mdoneil

This is why I love Inkwood

I was just checking email before I go to bed (early to bed...early to rise never worked for me). Here is why Inkwood is a great bookstore. Community involvement, and a sense of humor:

BE AN ANGEL Inkwood has joined with other Tampa small businesses again this year to bring gifts to farm workers' families in Wimauma, and we have names and ages of children who would love to receive books. Purchase a book of your choice, or we'll pick out for you, and we have cards to acknowledge if your donation is made in lieu of a gift to someone else. We will giftwrap the books for Santa Claus to deliver at a special holiday party.

Every 17 years or so Inkwood has a concession to recession, so this year our annual selection of 25 HOLIDAY PICKS are 25% OFF. Books are especially meaningful, memorable, personal gifts, and Inkwood's booksellers have put together this selection with ideas for just about everyone on your list - all wrapped and ready to go:

I did opt in to the emails they don't spam me. If you would like to virtually visit my favorite book store their website is http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/

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December 1, 2008 - 8:13pm — Leah White (not verified)

Unabridged Books!!

Located in Chicago, IL at Broadway and Belmont. It's indie, staff is amazing, and the prices rock. They have an amazing Children's and YA collection. All the employees have crazy Reader's Advisory skills. On top of this, the owner Ed takes very good care of his small staff. They treat their employees very well. It's refreshing in a world of Amazon and Border's.

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December 2, 2008 - 10:12am — Jon Gorman (not verified)

and some are like the local dive

Well, not quite. It seems like for every quirky bookstore that has a unique and specialized selection and good atmosphere I run into a handful of ones that seem to think that just because they're small and local they should get business. The former type of bookstore does remind me of my favorite pubs. Good atmosphere, competitive prices, and frequently a unique selection from around the world of hard to find beers. The latter is like a poorly run dive bar. They have the same three beers as everyone else, they're always a bit more expensive (for the cheap, mass produced beer), and want to pretend their music and decor are worth it.