Finding My Way Back to Bookstores

How A Conversation with My Brother Changed My Book-Buying Habits

My purchase from last week: Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

Hello, my lovely bookish friend!!!

Welcome back to my little bookish corner of the internet where I talk all things books. Have you been reading this week? This week I started The Bell Jar by Sylivia Plath. I’ve read six chapters so far and have loved what I’ve read. 

Last Sunday, after sending out my letter, I was getting bored in the evening. I was at my aunt’s place and a big bookshop is quite close by, so I booked a cab and just went there. Even though I’d been there literally three days ago. I spent some time looking at books and finally came back home with a book that I know nothing about, because I liked the cover.
This year, especially since May, I’ve been visiting bookstores a lot. It’s been a part of my effort to avoid buying books from Amazon.

It all started with a conversation with my brother in April. One night I was talking to him about Amazon and its questionable business practices. I was ranting a lot when he said, I don’t think you get to say that while you buy books from Amazon. 

I told him I also buy books from other online stores. But he pulled his Amazon account and showed me the books I had ordered this year, I think there were three. I tried to say it’s because we live in a small town where there aren’t good bookshops. But he was like, then go to the city, it’s not that far away. If you truly believe in a cause, shouldn’t you at least make some effort to stick to it? 

I thought about it and realised there was some truth to what he said. Since then, I’ve made it a point to visit bookstores. Like I said, I live in a small town, and therefore visiting a bookstore involves a bit of travelling. Turns out, I absolutely love that! I like that preparation, the anticipation, it makes visiting the store seem like something special. I’ve since been to bookstores eleven times– alone, with my brother, with my cousin, with my co-workers. 

I bought my first online book in 2013, not from Amazon. And once I started, I almost entirely shifted to buying online, because it was way cheaper. But in doing that, I realise I’d given up on an entire experience, an experience I used to absolutely love. Walking between the aisles, checking all the shelves, picking a few books and then spending time contemplating which ones I should actually get. 

Now that I’m buying books from stores, I’m paying more than I would have been paying on Amazon, but surprisingly, I don’t regret that. I feel good doing my part in supporting the industry I love.
Apart from that, I’ve also been buying used books a lot, online and offline. I keep trying out new stores I find, buying a book or two to see what they’re like. In general it’s been fun and exciting. 

I’m really glad my brother called me out that day, I mean that’s one thing brothers are good for! I love this diversification of book buying and hope to keep moving further away from Amazon. 

What about you? Do you buy books online? Do you visit physical bookstores? I'd love to hear about it!!!

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Also, if you’d like me to write for you, you can contact me at joyiewrites@gmail.com

That’s it for today, I'll be back in your inbox next week.

Until then,

Joyie 🌻