Independent Bookstore Day

CEFR Level B2-C1

Independent Bookstore Day 2026 is Saturday, April 25.

Why do independent bookstores matter?

Depending on what you value, they may not.

Here’s why I think they do.

The Background

Growing up, getting a new item of clothing from Wal-Mart was a once-a-year event. If I had heard of The Gap, Old Navy, and other mall stores, then I didn’t associate them with a place normal people bought clothes. To me, they were as out of reach as some luxury designer with a name I can’t pronounce now and certainly hadn’t heard of then. 

Through my 20s and 30s, my life was ruled by the necessity, and then the ingrained ethics, of shopping at the cheapest place available. If something functional existed at a cheaper price, then it didn’t matter if the more expensive thing looked a little nicer, fit a little better, or just appealed more. The only option, unless I wanted to be a bad person, was to buy the cheapest thing. I was also confused by people who declared that cheap clothes wore out faster. I could wear my clothes for 3-5+ years with weekly washing before they wore out. 

I hated the bright lights, loud noises, and overwhelming hugeness of discount stores, but I accepted them as a necessary part of life. 

Then I started getting older and experiencing body changes. Clothes at discount clothing stores often no longer fit on my body, never mind fitting. Out of necessity, I visited smaller stores like Soma. This was also when I had more discretionary income. 

The difference! Soft music, quiet voices, gentle lighting, and just enough options to have variety. Instead of having to steel myself for battle before entering a store, then noticing my body unclench and breathe more deeply on exiting, I could, if not enjoy the shopping experience, then at least not dread it.

The Bookstore Connection

I suspect a similar experience applies to bookstores.

In full disclosure, I can’t remember the last independent bookstore I’ve seen. I think there might be one an hour away, but if I recall correctly, it’s the sort of dark, dusty, musty, overcrowded type that I don’t enjoy.

Even so, I imagine that there must be independent stores with natural, or at least pleasant, lighting. Ones that are selective with acquisitions to avoid overcrowded floorspace. Ones that dust and have reasonable airflow. I might enjoy visiting a bookshop like that. 

So why do independent bookstores matter? Because the experience is one you won’t find at a mass retailer. Because the experience is more interesting, whether you enjoy it or not, than a copycat environment.

What About Online Bookstores?

If you buy books online, then none of that applies.

In that case, it comes down to what you value. Is your vision of the ideal world one where a few control the wealth, and therefore the well-being of the masses? Is your vision of the ideal world one where most people have enough and no one has so much as to take control? Do you want to live in a triangle or a circle?

It’s also worth thinking about the factors that go into stock selection and how those may differ between corporate and independent shops. 

Today, if you plan to purchase a book, consider supporting an independent bookstore. 

Bookshop.org has free standard shipping on April 25-26, 2026.

If you’d like to support me with your purchase, I’m a Bookshop.org affiliate. My shop’s name is The Variety Page Reads. I only add books that I’ve read (and Spanish-language editions of those titles, when available). The collection is slowly growing, so keep checking back to see what I’ve added. 

I understand that it’s a luxury to be able to vote with your dollar. If you have that luxury, please consider supporting an independent bookstore, even if it isn’t me.