I’m not shy about my stance on independent bookstores. I love them. I owe my career as an author to them. And I support them every chance I get. One of my local indies, The Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid, carefully organizes book orders for all of my Skype author visits so that kids all over the country can order signed books after I Skype with their classes.
So today’s news that Amazon has acquired GoodReads is a concern for me. People who use GoodReads are book lovers who like to keep track of their reading and share great books with one another. And soon, they’ll be supporting Amazon whether they chose to or not.
I understand that lots of people like buying books online, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you like bookstores — real brick-and-mortar bookstores that smell like paper, with smiling people who know your kids — then you need to support them, or they won’t be here for long.
So here’s my suggestion for friends on GoodReads who want to support independent bookstores. Write your reviews. Log your reading and recommend your books. And end each review with a link to IndieBound. I’m going to go through my GoodReads reviews to do this as I have time to edit. I started with my friend Linda Urban’s new book, THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING. My review ends like this now:
You’ll want to read this one aloud because the language sings. You’ll want to read it for the voice, for the humor, and for the interconnected stories that fit like a perfect puzzle. You’ll want to read it for that made-of-awesome small-town New Hampshire parade. And you’ll want to read it for Ruby. Mostly for Ruby. She’s a girl you know, so your heart will ache for her and celebrate with her, and when you turn the last page, you just might understand where to find the center of everything, too.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780547763484
If you love indie bookstores as much as I do, and you’re reviewing any of my books on GoodReads, I’d love it if you used these links at the end:
CAPTURE THE FLAG
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order CAPTURE THE FLAG on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545419741
HIDE AND SEEK
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order HIDE AND SEEK on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545419758
MARTY MCGUIRE
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order MARTY MCGUIRE on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545142465
MARTY MCGUIRE DIGS WORMS
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order MARTY MCGUIRE DIGS WORMS on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545142472
OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780811867849/kate-messner/over-and-under-snow
SEA MONSTER’S FIRST DAY
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order SEA MONSTER’S FIRST DAY on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780811875646
EYE OF THE STORM
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order EYE OF THE STORM on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780802723130
SUGAR AND ICE
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order SUGAR AND ICE on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780802723307
THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780802721730