‘We need independent bookshops more than ever’

I often encourage readers to buy copies of my novels from independent bookshops. People are generally happy to oblige, but I have been asked, ‘why not Amazon?’

It’s a valid question. It’s easy to buy online, there’s often a competitive price, and you can get next day delivery. I get it.

Or perhaps you are a staunch supporter of large bookstore chains such as Foyles and Waterstones, who have knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff as well as beautiful stores in Bristol. They will always have their place on our high streets.

Ultimately, of course, it’s your choice. But as it’s Independent Bookshop Week, I’m here to tell you why indie booksellers are also worth your custom. If you’ve never stepped foot in one, could this be the week to do so?

In recent years, Bristol has seen an explosion of brilliant bookshops. In 2018, Storysmith opened in Bedminster and Max Minerva’s moved into Westbury Park.

Earlier this year, Gloucester Road Books arrived and next month bookhaus: opens in Wapping Wharf.

You won’t find the latest Jeffrey Archer on the shelves of Gloucester Road Books – photo: Martin Booth

There are also several others, selling a mixture of new and second hand books, each with their own genre focus.

For arts and culture, there’s the Arnolfini Bookshop, while Stanfords on Corn Street specialises in travel.

Also worth a stop on a Bristol bookshop crawl are Hydra (usually) in the basement of Cafe Kino on Stokes Croft, Bloom & Curll on Colston Street, The Last Bookshop on Park Street, Beware of the Leopard in St Nick’s Market, Dreadnought Books on St George’s Road near Brandon Hill, Clifton Community Bookshop on Clifton Road, Books for Amnesty on Gloucester Road and several branches of Oxfam Bookshops.

Many indies take online orders if you’re not able to get to them in person.

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My top reasons for buying my books from indies:

1. Support the local community

They are often community hubs as well as bookshops. Also, I’d like my local high street to survive and thrive in years to come. Buying from indie bookshops supports these networks of small businesses.

2. Know where your money goes

I know my money will go directly to the owner and the employees who serve me – not to a big boss somewhere who I’ve never met.

3. A personal service

Forget algorithms. The more you visit these shops, the more your local bookseller gets to know you and your tastes. They really know their stuff. Which brings me on to…

4. Amazing booksellers

I’ve yet to meet a member of staff in an independent bookshop who isn’t passionate about books or extremely knowledgeable about them.

5. Encouraging literacy

Local libraries are increasingly at risk. We need bookshops more than ever to be visible on our streets and help to instil a love of reading in future generations.

6. Supporting authors

Without bookshops on the streets, writers would be slaves to the algorithms on online bookselling sites and many of us just wouldn’t get noticed. The last year has made this even clearer, with bookshops across the country closed for several months during the lockdowns. In a recent edition of industry magazine The Bookseller, Juliet Mabey, a publisher at Oneworld, said: “Midlist or debuts sold exponentially less (than brand-name authors). This is a reflection of what would happen if we didn’t have successful bookshops.” I love the big name authors as much as anyone else, but some of my favourite novels have been written by much less well-known writers. I’d like it to continue to be possible to find them. I can’t be the only one.

7. The smell

There’s just something about that bookshop smell, isn’t there?

Author Emily Koch’s second Bristol-based novel, Keep Him Close, is out now. Visit Emily’s official website at www.emilykoch.co.uk

Main photo: Storysmith

Read more: Another independent bookshop to open in Bristol