6 Places To Buy Books Instead of Amazon

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Amazon is one of the ultimate Catch 22s when it comes to books. And not just because it sells the famous Joseph Heller novel.

Amazon distributes and sells a wide variety of books. It gives distribution to those who may not be able to get it in conventional manners and through its self-publishing system it has given many authors the chance to make a living through their writing.

Still, Amazon isn’t exactly known for its kind tactics. It is known to bully presses to give them a higher cut of their royalties, make small authors use them as their prime distribution and publishing channel.

Yet, especially for modern readers, it’s tough to boycott Amazon. It does do a lot of good, and one day delivery can make it a damn tempting offer on top of it’s lower price points. This is a list for when you’re not in a rush, may have a bit of extra cash or just want to push that corporation a bit further away from the door.

1. Direct From The Source
Buying a book straight from the press or author has a fair few advantages. Some of which include cutting out the middle man and having the money go straight into the deserving pocket. You know that that little bit extra goes towards helping an artist feed themselves, and the publisher keep the lights on. Also, it is often a great way to have books signed, and can come with extra goodies or a nice email from the author, too.

2. Powells
The Portland, Oregon bookstore takes up a nice portion of the fabulous city it resides in. The place hosts a number of literary readings, helps the small presses by featuring them prominently, and is a vital part of the buzzing scene in Portland. It also has a great pre-ordering system, easy to use website and doesn’t use the same ruthless and harsh tactics that Amazon does.

3. eBay
eBay is far from perfect, but by browsing the listings, and being slightly less fussy about perfect condition, it could help a local bookstore that uses the site as a method of showing its wares. Or, helping a student fund their next outing, or worst comes to worst, picking up a book well below retail price.

4. Bookstore.co.uk
This book depository has a wide range of books. Like roaming through a good charity shop, there is certainly a lot of filler to scope through, perfecting the internet equivalent of thumbing through vinyl records at a car boot sale. It’s hard to find those specific books, but signed first editions can turn up often just because the seller didn’t know what they were worth.

5. Your Local Bookstore
Yeah, I know. Feel free to roll your eyes at this one, but it’s true. A local bookstore needs all the help it gets. Order your books and wait a bit longer for them to arrive back in stock. But with each purpose you know you’re helping a small business stay afloat, and keeping back thee rising tide of supermarkets and cash-for-gold stores.

6. The Chain Bookstores
Not too different from the previous one, but worth the distinction regardless. It’s easy to forget that there is a big power play behind the scenes in the publishing world, with people paying for the best shelf space. But sitting in a Waterstones, Borders, or whatever your chain is, thumbing through something is as beautiful moment as those described in its pages. Read from whatever source you can, except for those ones that only stock the bulk paperbacks and care about top line profits such as high street stationary stores. You will know the difference when you walk up to the bookshelves and smile, waiting for the adventures to leap out for you, knowing that it’s one Bezos isn’t helping with.

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