Tag Archives: independent bookstores

Ann Patchett and Independent Bookstores Get the Colbert Bump

By Geo Ong Ooh, independent bookstores! I should buy one of those on Amazon! —Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report, 20 February 2012 Stephen Colbert, how we’ve missed you. While the other Urchins and I wish you and your family much … Continue reading

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The Great Onlines: Three Ethical Online Retailers

It’s always a great idea to buy locally, but depending on where you are and what you’re looking for, your choices may be quite limited. But thankfully, there are online retailers out there that care about maintaining a minimal footprint … Continue reading

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What to Do Now That Borders Went Bankrupt

By Geo Ong Borders Group, America’s second largest bookstore chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Wednesday and is in the process of closing 200 of its stores nationwide. Contrary to how it may seem, this is by no means … Continue reading

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Independent Bookstores Level the Playing Field

By Geo Ong I wish that, just once, an author promoting her book on a talk show would say right after the talk show host repeats the book title at the end of the interview, ‘And buy my book from … Continue reading

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An Afternoon at the Northshire Bookstore

By Geo Ong While Sarah is busy raising money for the Urchin cause, i.e. going to work, Margaret and I drive from Bennington to Manchester Center, Vermont, to spend the day at the Northshire Bookstore. The Northshire Bookstore, established in … Continue reading

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Adventures in Bookselling

By Geo Ong As a bookseller for an independent bookshoppe, I work a lot of book events: author signings, book release parties, things like that. Some of these are fun. I’ve meet a lot of authors, and most of them … Continue reading

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The E-Book Wars, or: Why I Don’t Support Amazon, Part Three

By Geo Ong I must ask: Am I getting through to any of you on this issue? Because I won’t stop until I wean some of you off purchasing books from Amazon. First, it was a personal plea to support … Continue reading

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The Amazon Sales Tax Saga, or: Why I Don’t Support Amazon, Part Two

By Geo Ong A few months ago, I wrote an article about why I don’t support Amazon. I realise the David v. Goliath fight I joined between independent booksellers and Amazon, and I realise how difficult it will be to … Continue reading

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