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Sign up todayHow to Protect Bookstores and Why
The Present and Future of Bookselling
Narrator
Danny Caine
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Length
6 hours 47 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“I love bookshop origin stories so this was an absolute treat! Caine profiles 12 independent bookstores with obvious enthusiasm and adoration for his fellow bookstore owners and their varied causes and identities. Each case study ends with an action step on how to support and protect bookstores which looks beyond simply showing up and spending to consider the roles bookstores play in community, society and economy. ”
— Hannah • Lighthouse Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“What a great read for book lovers who want to do more! Where would we be without bookstores? With this book, we'll never have to know. ”
— Olivia • 5 to 9 Books
Bookseller recommendation
“This is a book for lovers, patrons and others who value bookstores and all that they bring to their communities when it comes to inspiration, ideas and neighborly gathering spots! Through a dozen bookstore case studies, the author, who narrates this audio book, makes pretty clear that bookstores need our protection to survive, and provides a variety of suggestions and tips of what could be done. ”
— Anne • Newtonville Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I’ve been on a big Books-About-Books binge lately. Here are my top 8 actionable takeaways from this one: #5: Buy bookstore merch from bookstores (higher margins=more $). #8: Shop early for the holidays. I get mine done by EOM October. #18: Move your online reviews away from Goodreads. Goodreads is owned by Amazon. @the.storygraph is not. #21: Bring your dates. Bookstores are the perfect non food/drink date! #30: Maximum book-discount legislation. France knows what’s up. #33: A bookstore-friendly ebook solution (App developers, are you listening?). #41: Vote for all that “best of the city” stuff. #50: Ask big questions about the future of bookstores.”
— Olivia • 5 to 9 Books
Bookseller recommendation
“A call to action for all lovers of bookstores! Caine offers practical advice for what consumers can do to support independent bookstores - and why it matters. For those of us in the business of running bookstore, Caine also helps reinforce why what we’re doing is so important. Bookstores offer a critical service to our communities. As cherished as they are, they are facing more challenges today than ever. This is a must-listen for anyone who cares about these most treasured places. ”
— Laura • Book Society
Bookseller recommendation
“A friend of mine reached out to ask if I'd read How to Protect Bookstores and Why by Danny Caine a few days ago, so I went ahead and bumped the audiobook up my TBR. I adored his first nonfiction, How to Resist Amazon and Why (if you haven't read it, definitely do), but it turns out I love this one even more. As a career bookseller, I obviously have a vested interest in protecting bookstores. But I love that like in his last book, Danny offers acton steps for readers to help out without any shaming. I also just thoroughly, as a book nerd, enjoyed the way he profiles twelve bookstores around the world, if you love books and bookshops, this one is for you.”
— Anna • Katy Budget Books
Summary
Why bookstores matter, and how we can help
Can bookstores save the world? As bastions of culture, anchors of local retail districts, community gathering places, and sources of new ideas, inspiration, and delight, maybe they can. But only if we protect them and the critical roles they fill in our communities.
Danny Caine, author of the bestselling sensation How to Resist Amazon and Why and co-owner of the Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas, makes a compelling case for the power of small, local businesses in this thoughtful examination of the dynamic world of bookstores. At once an urgent call to action and a celebration of everything bookstores can do, Caine's new book features case-study profiles of a dozen of the most interesting and innovative bookstores of today, from Minneapolis to Paris. Through a well-informed analysis of these case studies, Caine offers actionable strategies to promote a sustainable future for bookselling, including policy suggestions, ideas for community-based action, and tips on what consumers can do to help. A captivating read for any lover of books, patron of bookstores, or champion of the survival of these vital institutions, How to Protect Bookstores and Why makes the strongest possible argument for the importance of a resilient, inclusive, and progressive bookstore landscape.
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