Has anyone heard or seen Indies Under Fire: The Battle for the American Boookstore? I hadn’t heard about this documentary before but I was reading my latest Bookforum and there’s an interesting article about it.
The documentary follows the stories of three California bookstores and shows why more than half the independent bookstores that were open in 1992 were out of business by 2006. Of course the demise for many of them is due to the fact that they can’t compete financially with the big box stores. But, it was a bit suprising to me that another reason mentioned in the article is that it can also boil down to aesthetics. Indies aren’t as visually pleasing? Well, I haven’t seen a bookstore I didn’t like so what do I know.
I wish I had an independent bookstore around me but I will be honest and say chances are I would also visit the big bookstores and yes, I’d still buy online (gasp!). I mean, I wish I could just shop at an indie bookstore all the time but when you buy so many books you need to find ways to save too, right?
So do you shop indie? Do you have a favorite one? I do have a favorite, BookPeople in Austin, Texas. Only wish it wasn’t four hours drive away from me.
I hate to see the loss of so many independent bookstores, but trying to compete with some of the giants is just too difficult. I like one local bookstore…very small and personal, but not close enough for me to use on a regular basis, and the convenience of online shopping is something I really appreciate.
Still haven’t most readers dreamed of owing a bookstore one day?
Come to New Orleans! There are so many indies that you would die of book happiness. Both new and used and mixed.
Most of them didn’t get hurt in the Katrina.
The documentary looks interesting. 🙂 Where I go to college, there isn’t any bookstore, indi or chain, other than the school one. It’s awful. Truly, truly awful.
My favorite Rushdie is Shalimar the Clown, which is (I think) his most recent book. I think it’s more concrete than the earlier books of his that I’ve read. The characters are all very memorable, and the plotline is a lot more structured. So, if you haven’t tried that one, you might enjoy it.
I find it interesting that you haven’t gotten into Rushdie, but you really like Marquez. To me, the two seem quite similar!
I think my dream would be to open a coffee shop/bookstore/online cafe. There’s this place near my hometown that inspired me called “Ashland Coffee and Tea” and while they are not offically a book store, they have books you can take as long as you bring one back. Pretty cool.
I’m not a very good indie shopper even though there are a number of good ones in the Twin Cities. The nearest bookstore to my house is a Barnes and Noble (5 minutes away) and convenience often wins out.
I usually shop at Borders, just because I always have gift certificates to use.. but I love Half Price Books as well.
Jenclair – I agree, online shopping is just so convenient. And, count me in as another bookworm who dreams of owning a bookshop 🙂
Isabel – I know, I have to go visit you so you can show me all those great stores you always tell me about.
Eva – I tried Shalimar the Clown and couldn’t get into it. Hmm, it could have been right book, wrong time so I will have to give it a go.
Nik – What a cool place that must be! Do they really get their books back?
Stefanie – If I had a B&N that close to me I’d be there all the time too! Actually I have one not very far from my work so I usually go over there for lunch once a week. Convenience is good.
SciFiChick – Oh yes, I love HP Books too! We have some good ones in the Dallas area.
I used to have an indie close to me… spent much of my hard earned money of the 1990s there… but it closed because it couldn’t compete with a Barnes and Noble and also a Borders close by. I am ashamed to say I buy at both (it’s the only place where I can find my Moleskine notebooks) and also buy online. I have gotten several gift card from my students for a store called “Half-Priced Books.” They are sort of indie, but have chain stores in other states so I don’t know… I agree with you, when one is on a budget that 10% off hardcover titles is hard to beat.
I always try and shop at indie bookshops and search them out if I want a book. I am so suprised that there are so few nearby. There are quite a lot in Sydney and a number close-by.
My particular favourite is Better Read Than Dead (http://betterread.com.au .)
I have a few bookstores I frequent in Cambridge (Lorem Ipsum and Harvard Book Store) and one on the North Shore (Hand-it-Back Books,) but in the Boston and Greater Boston area, there are enough independents to keep one occupied and pleasantly surprised.
I love indie bookshops as well and try to support when possible. I always venture to Half Price before heading directly over to say Borders or B&N. I guess if you are buying books all the time it is difficult to always pay top price for things and times do call for getting that bargain based price. I guess I have those devil on my shoulder moments when I go the big bookstores or shop online….
I try to do my part with indie books and artists…..but I could probably do better….ho-hum.
JCR – Well, you gotta go where the Moleskines are 🙂 If you haven’t been to Half Price Books I highly recommend them. At least the stores I’ve been to in Texas have always been a treat.
Kate – I tried checking Better Read but couldn’t access the link. I’ll check later. Sad that for such a large city I live in we don’t have any indies.
Mike B. – I was in Boston two years ago and loved it in part because of all those bookstores. I didn’t make it out to Cambridge but next time 🙂
Christine – Yep, HP is my first stop too. Thank goodness for them right? But seriously why can’t Dallas support a true indie bookstore where you can find the latest books you know. It’s just sad.
I love indies. You know Powell’s is an indie, despite their web presence? Same for Mystery Lover’s Bookshop; I was there last night for a book release party. Dropped $50.
I try to shop in indies whenever I can. If I need to order something that I can’t trade for or get a good online discount for, I call one of the two indies near me and have them order it.
That said, though, there’s nothing like HBP’s clearance section. A buck for a book?? I’m SO there, especially if I’m only buying it to share with friends.
I don’t shop indie because I don’t know of any out here in the sticks. But if I did, I would still shop there sometimes. But, like you, I would still buy from the biggies, too. A grad student salary only goes so far!
We have one little indie. When I went to check them out, they were closed (on a Monday). I peeked in the window and it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing. What I saw was sparse shelves (it’s new; maybe they’re starting small) and too much open space, nothing to pull the eye from shelf to shelf. And, they seemed to have a bit too much popular fiction – not the kind of stuff I tend to read – but I’d have to go inside to find out. We’ve lost most of the bookstores that have come into town. They just don’t last.
Susan Helen G. – I should think of Powell’s more when I shop online. I want to visit the real thing one of these days. Isn’t the clearance section at HPB the best? Love it.
Andi – You know where else is a good spot in Dallas? Paperbacks Plus. It’s like a mini Half Price.
Nancy – Ooh hope you can go back to the store and see what it’s really like. Like you said, hopefully they are just starting out and it’ll soon be a good one.
No indies here, but plenty of Half Price Books. That’s where I do the majority of my book shopping.
Thanks for posting this – I think I’ll contact the filmmakers and tell them about Bookwormz. 🙂
I don’t buy online, although I use Amazon to research books and for maintaining my wishlist, but as far as brick and mortar stores, I’m an equal opportunity shopper – I frequent both the indie shop and Barnes and Noble. The chain stores aren’t going to go away, and I think if people support their local bookstores, then there’s room for everyone. What I like about indie stores is that each one is different, and the people there generally know more about books than the average chain store employee (and more willing to help, too).
I used to work in an independent bookstore–for ten years!! They closed as they couldn’t compete as well. It was hard as I think the big stores get deeper discounts due to the bulk of books they are able to order. I prefer indies, but I admit that I shop all over these days. There is only one indie (general books) left here that sells new books. The bigger box stores seem more impersonal. Rarely does anyone who work there ever chat with me about books, and I always did when I was working. One of the benefits of working at a bookstore–being able to talk books with other book lovers.
Ex Libris – I’m with you. I don’t know what I’d do without them!
Lesley – Oh you have to. And, you’ll have to keep up posted 🙂 When I can I try to be an equal opportunity shopper too. I like that.
Danielle – I’m so jealous! Granted I’m sure I’ve some romantic picture of how cool it would be and all that.What’s most frustrating to me about the big box stores is that no one who works there seems to even read. The few times I’ve asked for help it’s been a disappointing experience. And, that’s where Indies definitely succeed. The people know the books.