5 Reasons To Shop Bookshop.org
Every year Amazon Prime Day rolls around and every year there seems more and more of a push to shop small on those days. The “big guys” don’t need our money. The problem is, Amazon is just so convenient! Especially when it comes to books. But we’re in a new age, a golden age of online shopping that uses our free market system to give readers an alternative. Welcome Bookshop.org!
There are so many reasons to find alternatives to some of the bigger platforms, but here are a few reasons to shop bookshop.org for all your bookish needs!
1. Shopping Small
As I mentioned above, shopping small has become a big topic among the book-buyers of the world. Small bookshops with all their charm and local beauty need our support. But what if you don’t live close to a bookshop? What if there’s a shop you really want to support but it’s miles and miles away?
Bookshop.org allows you to support small bookshops through online purchases! When you create an account you can name a bookshop that will benefit from every purchase you make. Now, it’s not quite the same, but it’s a lot better than not giving the small shops any money.
2. They LOVE Small Bookstores
Along the same lines of shopping small, bookshop.org makes no secret about their love of small bookshops. They saw a need—an online platform to shop small bookstores—and filled it, fully aware that the actual dream is to keep small bookstores open! They even feature the bookstores that sign up to be on Bookshop.org to give them a little boost and encourage shoppers to go directly to the source if possible.
Their aim seems to be a symbiotic relationship, which is so important!
We believe local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a love of reading, and we're committed to helping them thrive. - Bookshop.org
3. There’s More Than Books
There is so much more than books! Bookshop.org has all sorts of bookish merch, games, activities and more. They’re also a great place to get some nerdy odds and ends and find some hobbies and unique items for gifts.
4. They Have Sales
While Bookshop.org might be a bit pricier than Amazon, they have sales! There is almost always a sale going on and they often offer free shipping. Ooh, and they have giveaways, too!
5. You Can Make Lists (like Goodreads)
I mean, not totally like Goodreads, but close. On Bookshop.org, you can save your books, read and unread, into wish lists and registries. You can also share the registry which is perfect for moms-to-be who want to create a collection of books for their baby’s bookshelf. No matter what you’re trying to keep track of, the wish list is a great feature to save TBRs and more.
How BookShop.org Works
Now, the question we all ask: how in the world does Bookshop.org work? It’s actually quite simple. An independent bookstore can register with Bookshop.org. This allows you to choose them as the beneficiary of your purchases. The profits of very purchase you make goes directly to the small bookshop, allowing you to support the smaller book sellers even if they are in a different state!
If you don’t have a specific bookshop selected, then the profits from your sale go into a pool of money that is then distributed to bookstores throughout the year. So far, Bookshop.org has raised over $30 million for local bookstores!
So, if you’re looking for a book-buying alternative to Amazon, then look no further than Bookshop.org. They have a true passion for small bookstores and want to make a major difference in communities—and what’s better than that?! I have such a love for what they do that I became an affiliate last year, and I’m so grateful to be a part of their mission.
Happy reading!