Why it matters where you buy your books.

I know. Buying books is a joy, and sometimes you just need that quick click-and-go fix. And let’s be honest, sometimes price is the deciding factor. Books should be accessible to everyone, and it’s a privilege to be able to choose where to shop.

But if you can choose, where you buy your books matters. It’s not just about filling your shelves (or your ever-growing TBR pile); it’s about shaping the book world, supporting your community, and keeping bookshops—those magical places full of stories and possibilities—alive. Independent bookshops are special. They’re not just places to buy books; they’re places to discover books. The ones you didn’t even know you needed. The ones a bookseller puts into your hands with a knowing smile, saying, “Trust me, you’re going to love this.”

Unlike the algorithm-driven recommendations of big online retailers (Oh, you liked Pride and Prejudice? Here’s a book about cryptocurrency!), indie booksellers actually read the books they sell. They curate their shelves with care, championing new authors, diverse voices, and those slightly weird, brilliant books that might not top the bestseller charts but absolutely deserve a place in your heart.

📷 - Gay-on-Wye in Hay

Shopping at an indie bookshop isn’t just a transaction—it’s an experience. It’s the joy of finding a hand-written staff recommendation on the shelf, the buzz of a book launch event, or the feeling of belonging when you step inside and someone greets you by name (and maybe even remembers your last purchase).

Bookshops are more than shops; they’re community spaces. They host book clubs, storytime sessions, and signings with authors you actually want to meet. They bring people together. And by choosing to buy your books there, you’re helping them keep the lights on, the doors open, and the shelves stocked with stories that matter.

When you buy from an independent bookshop, more of your money stays in the local economy. That means more jobs, more support for other small businesses, and more thriving high streets. It’s a win-win-win. Plus, if you buy a book from your local indie, it doesn’t have to be packaged, shipped, and driven around the country by a poor overworked courier. Less transport, less waste, smaller carbon footprint. Books + sustainability = excellent life choices.

📷 - Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath

But Let's Be Real for a Second...

Not everyone has the privilege of choosing indie bookstores every time. Books can be expensive, and sometimes a lower price is the difference between getting to read a book and not. That’s completely understandable. Indie bookshops know this too, which is why many of them offer second-hand books, discounts for students and teachers, or loyalty schemes.

And while we’re on the subject of nuance—big bookshop chains have their place too. They provide jobs for book lovers, keep books visible on high streets, and help make reading more accessible through discounting and wide availability. Many indie booksellers even started their careers in places like Waterstones.

The reality is that keeping indie bookshops alive requires those of us who can afford to shop with them to actually do it. If you have the choice, spending your book budget at an indie makes a real, tangible difference—not just for the bookshop, but for the whole ecosystem of authors, publishers, and communities they support.

📷 - Kemptown Books, Brighton

The TL;DR

• Buying from indie bookshops means expert recommendations, not random algorithms.

• Bookshops are community spaces that host events, book clubs, and moments of pure bookish joy.

• Your money stays local, supports jobs, and keeps small businesses alive.

• Less packaging, less transport, more sustainability.

• Not everyone can afford to shop indie, but those who can, should—because it makes a real difference.

So next time you’re looking for your next read, consider popping into your local indie bookshop. Not just for the book—but for everything that comes with it.

And let's not forget... you might just come across a bookstore dog. What could be better?

📷 - Charlie holding fort at Gay-on-Wye in Hay

In part two... we'll hear from some indie bookshop owners and some fellow book lovers and find out why it matters to them.