My husband worked in an independent bookshop all through high school and I think he never recovered because it was truly his dream job. It was owned by a 20 something Classics major who inherited some money from her grandparents and opened a store. It was so successful she opened another. And it was totally independent, ran on pennies, but somehow it worked. And I think it's because it had a personality and the people who worked there really loved books (and knew about them too [I always think of that scene in Fox Books when Kathleen Kelly tearily helps that Mom find the Shoe books]).
I usually buy from Thriftbooks or borrow from the library but this year when I buy any new book I go to our local independent. I will pay more there and buy less overall from chains (no Amazon in 2025, bye) to support them. They have tables with local authors, notes with employee picks, shelves recommending small press reads, and it's worth the money. I think most book lovers get this and will reward the shops that prioritize these human things that real readers love.
But I still hope all your books make it into B+N Claire! :)
Now I really want to drive 2 hours to my closest Barnes and Noble and peruse the more “curated” books! It also makes me want to explore their stores in different cities to see the different set ups they have!
I was super fortunate in 2020 when my memoir came out. It was stocked in most B&Ns for about a year, but it's only in a few near me now. As much as I wish it were everywhere, I agree that the changes to B&N make a massive difference to the shopping experience as a consumer. Our local B&N has the friendliest, book-lovingest staff who always tell me what books they love. One of my favorite nonfiction reads of 2024 came from a personal recommendation. Oh, and P.S. They had Funeral Ladies facing out on a shelf last week!
Thank you for sharing all of this! Also got goosebumps when you wrote about signing your own books. Like, hello, dreams. coming. true.
We have a sweet lil' one-year-old indie bookshop that has been wildly successful that just opened in town (shout out to The Nook in Cedar Falls, Iowa!) and last weekend Lee and I went on a date to drink coffee, peruse books, and buy the the first Illustrated HP book.
Obviously I had to check and see if they had Take it from the top and Rachel Riley (which they didn't, womp womp) so I asked if they could get them in. They ordered a copy of each for me, which are my birthday gift to myself, and when I picked them up the store owner was there shelving books. I made sure to give loud accolades for each and encourage him to stock these in the middle grade book section, as well as getting Funeral Ladies front and center. He snagged a picture of the two books and said he was the right person to tell! I am so hopeful to see all of your books at our cute little Nook! When I told him I knew the author (had to, sorry, lol) he asked if you were local and it just made me long to one day get to attend one of your in-person book events!! Hopefully one day!
But actually, I did not know that about B&N in days of old having publishers pay to have books placed in a certain spot, though it definitely makes sense. I love what they are doing with re-branding and re-making themselves and I can't wait to go check out our local B&N sometime soon. Because yes, people that buy books, buy a LOT of books. I can attest.
I love that B+N is making such a comeback and I understand that it's more economical for stores to buy paperbacks but it drives me INSANE to go into the store and only find paperback editions.
A very enlightening essay. And yes, I think an individualized, localist approach can work wonders. It also fosters love for a particular store: “our store does it this way.”
I haven't been inside of a B&N for years. We didn't have one where I lived in Michigan. And then when we moved...I just didn't think it was worth it. But I might give it a shot again now, especially since my goal this year is to shop more local when I can. (I know, ultimately B&N is a big company, but it's difficult to take my two boys into small indie places. B&N feels like a good compromise now.)
I love this. And I'm with you. It's hard when these changes hit you personally, but overall I agree this is a huge plus overall and actually, maybe, gives us slow but growing individual control. I know my local BN has been fantastic to me in ways they couldn't have before, even if my books aren't in as many global BNs.
Experiences! I'm so glad to see the realization that sometimes people need the experiences of life (both easy and difficult) to grow and thrive. I don't like shopping but there is a different vibe walking the mall during Christmas time that isn't there any other time of the year. Gifted my mom (ages 82) Funeral Ladies for Christmas this year. She called me a few days later to tell me that she started the book and was only a few pages in when she realized that she was going really like it. She's going to send it to her bestie (also 82) in Georgia when she's done. They've been best friends since before grade school and their moms were best friends since that time as well. I told my mom that the story reminded me of my grandmother and her best friend. I'm so glad my mom is enjoying the story!
What a great detail of your bookstore experience. Having worked in retail my whole life....I really "felt it". This was an enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing ☺️
Huge B+N fan, especially after all these changes. (Ted Goia wrote about it and summed it up well, as always: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/what-can-we-learn-from-barnes-and )
My husband worked in an independent bookshop all through high school and I think he never recovered because it was truly his dream job. It was owned by a 20 something Classics major who inherited some money from her grandparents and opened a store. It was so successful she opened another. And it was totally independent, ran on pennies, but somehow it worked. And I think it's because it had a personality and the people who worked there really loved books (and knew about them too [I always think of that scene in Fox Books when Kathleen Kelly tearily helps that Mom find the Shoe books]).
I usually buy from Thriftbooks or borrow from the library but this year when I buy any new book I go to our local independent. I will pay more there and buy less overall from chains (no Amazon in 2025, bye) to support them. They have tables with local authors, notes with employee picks, shelves recommending small press reads, and it's worth the money. I think most book lovers get this and will reward the shops that prioritize these human things that real readers love.
But I still hope all your books make it into B+N Claire! :)
Now I really want to drive 2 hours to my closest Barnes and Noble and peruse the more “curated” books! It also makes me want to explore their stores in different cities to see the different set ups they have!
I was super fortunate in 2020 when my memoir came out. It was stocked in most B&Ns for about a year, but it's only in a few near me now. As much as I wish it were everywhere, I agree that the changes to B&N make a massive difference to the shopping experience as a consumer. Our local B&N has the friendliest, book-lovingest staff who always tell me what books they love. One of my favorite nonfiction reads of 2024 came from a personal recommendation. Oh, and P.S. They had Funeral Ladies facing out on a shelf last week!
“Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.”
Okay…I NEED the title of this boarding school book!!
I also was curious what it was!
Claire this is AMAZING! I loved reading this; it gave me hope :)
Thank you for sharing all of this! Also got goosebumps when you wrote about signing your own books. Like, hello, dreams. coming. true.
We have a sweet lil' one-year-old indie bookshop that has been wildly successful that just opened in town (shout out to The Nook in Cedar Falls, Iowa!) and last weekend Lee and I went on a date to drink coffee, peruse books, and buy the the first Illustrated HP book.
Obviously I had to check and see if they had Take it from the top and Rachel Riley (which they didn't, womp womp) so I asked if they could get them in. They ordered a copy of each for me, which are my birthday gift to myself, and when I picked them up the store owner was there shelving books. I made sure to give loud accolades for each and encourage him to stock these in the middle grade book section, as well as getting Funeral Ladies front and center. He snagged a picture of the two books and said he was the right person to tell! I am so hopeful to see all of your books at our cute little Nook! When I told him I knew the author (had to, sorry, lol) he asked if you were local and it just made me long to one day get to attend one of your in-person book events!! Hopefully one day!
But actually, I did not know that about B&N in days of old having publishers pay to have books placed in a certain spot, though it definitely makes sense. I love what they are doing with re-branding and re-making themselves and I can't wait to go check out our local B&N sometime soon. Because yes, people that buy books, buy a LOT of books. I can attest.
Fascinating insight! Thanks for sharing!
I love that B+N is making such a comeback and I understand that it's more economical for stores to buy paperbacks but it drives me INSANE to go into the store and only find paperback editions.
A very enlightening essay. And yes, I think an individualized, localist approach can work wonders. It also fosters love for a particular store: “our store does it this way.”
I haven't been inside of a B&N for years. We didn't have one where I lived in Michigan. And then when we moved...I just didn't think it was worth it. But I might give it a shot again now, especially since my goal this year is to shop more local when I can. (I know, ultimately B&N is a big company, but it's difficult to take my two boys into small indie places. B&N feels like a good compromise now.)
I love this. And I'm with you. It's hard when these changes hit you personally, but overall I agree this is a huge plus overall and actually, maybe, gives us slow but growing individual control. I know my local BN has been fantastic to me in ways they couldn't have before, even if my books aren't in as many global BNs.
Experiences! I'm so glad to see the realization that sometimes people need the experiences of life (both easy and difficult) to grow and thrive. I don't like shopping but there is a different vibe walking the mall during Christmas time that isn't there any other time of the year. Gifted my mom (ages 82) Funeral Ladies for Christmas this year. She called me a few days later to tell me that she started the book and was only a few pages in when she realized that she was going really like it. She's going to send it to her bestie (also 82) in Georgia when she's done. They've been best friends since before grade school and their moms were best friends since that time as well. I told my mom that the story reminded me of my grandmother and her best friend. I'm so glad my mom is enjoying the story!
Loved reading this!
First of all, love this! Second of all, did you just refer to the UK as Kate Middleton’s playground? 😂🤣
What a great detail of your bookstore experience. Having worked in retail my whole life....I really "felt it". This was an enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing ☺️