Since many folks are staying home as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus, there's one fantastic and relatively inexpensive way to while away the time and escape from the news: books! The virus is taking its toll not only on people but also on businesses, and many indie bookstores were already struggling before this latest roadblock came along. The potential long-term effects for book retailers are sobering and possibly even devastating.
Josh Cook from Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts, noted ways on Twitter to support one’s local bookstore when no one is leaving the house. Suggestions from him and others include:
- Sign up for a store’s newsletter
- Follow your local stores on social media
- Sign up with Libro.fm, and not only will you get two audiobooks for the price of one, 100% of your payment will go to your local bookstore(s)
- Order books from your local stores' online shops, where available, to be delivered straight to your home or, as my local One More Page bookstore has available, curbside pickup
- Buy ebooks (and other bookstore offerings like puzzles, games, food, and clothing) through the same online shops, with instant delivery to your phone, ereader, or tablet, or laptop; and don't forget your elderly neighbors - pick up a few books for them, too
- Pre-order books that are being published later this year
- Buy a bookstore gift card
- If your local bookstore is offering something like Ally Kirkpatrick is, of Old Town Books in Alexandria, VA and its virtual classes from writers, signup for a class (they also have a new-book subscription service)
- Donate to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, which helps booksellers impacted by natural disasters, health problems, higher education, etc.
If you want to locate the indie bookstores near you, Indiebound has a handy store locator for stores in the U.S. If you're in Europe or other parts of the world, you can still help out your bookstores via most of the measure above, and some of the stores are even offering free deliveries via bicycle or skateboard. Bookstores everywhere are trying to help customers and their communities during this difficult time; one store in the UK offers staff recommendations over the phone, but also "a simple chat if anyone is isolating and feeling lonely" and holding a fundraiser for the local food bank.
Also, If you live in the UK or Ireland, No Alibis Bookstore has teamed up with a group of local authors to give away a #CrimeCarePackage to ten people each day this week, fifty packages in total, containing a selection of great books hand chosen for each recipient. If you or someone you know is facing isolation in the coming days, they would like to send you a curated selection of books to the value of £25, free of charge.
Buying books will also help support your favorite authors, including many who have had to cancel book launches, tours, and other events, in addition to all the conferences and festivals that have been canceled.
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