25
List of bookstores that aren't Amazon/B&N (www.thefrugalgamer.net)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by to c/anticonsumption@slrpnk.net
9 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I've recently added a list to my website that has links to book sellers that aren't Amazon or other large conglomerates, and I thought it might be appreciated here. This includes both eBooks (most DRM-free), and physical ones as well.

I found most of these by coming across books I wanted (usually via the fediverse or LibraryThing), and searching up the author's website. Usually they'll have the ubiquitous Amazon & Kobo links, but sometimes they also link to the publisher directly, who often have their own shops as well. Basically I do a lot of link hopping until I come across small indie places that are much nicer to buy from.

If you have any favorites that I haven't included here, please let me know! I'd love to add more.

UPDATE: Thank you all for the additional recommendations! I've added them to the page along with summaries of what they offer.

all 9 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 3 points 4 months ago

Here in the UK, I often end up getting books from World of Books, who are fairly ethical as for-profit companies go

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 3 points 4 months ago* (1 child)

    I have found Biblio is a great way to buy used books affordably, just make sure to search the ISBN of books you want (I use amazon for that usually lol).

    Biblio is NOT owned by Amazon unlike many of these "independent" companies that were bought up by Amazon.

    https://www.biblio.com/

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] [S] 2 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Awesome, I love that you can get used books through them!

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago

    They are ostensibly focused on finding rare/specific editions or out of print books, but the network of independent book sellers they have is pretty huge so you can find almost any used book you want there, not just niche stuff, it is a great resource!

    I have bought many ~$10 and under used paperbacks in good enough condition for me from them.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
    • [–] 2 points 3 months ago

    Powell’s Books

    They’ve been big since before amazon got started and have survived and thrived as an independent company since. It’s the darling of Portland and it shows, every time I’ve been there it’s just packed with people, but I usually buy from their website.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 2 points 3 months ago

    https://shop.fullersbookshop.com.au/

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 2 points 3 months ago* (1 child)

    Great list!

    There's also bookshop.org for buying books (and ebooks) while supporting a local bookstore of your choosing.

    Oh, and libro.fm for audiobooks!

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] [S] 2 points 3 months ago

    Ok, I've actually used Bookshop.org, so I don't know how I forgot it!

    I'll add Libro.fm as well--I'm not an audiobook fan myself, so I tend to forget those. I'm pleasantly surprised to see it's an employee-owned business!

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
    • [–] 2 points 3 months ago

    Last Christmas I was having a hard time tracking down a book I wanted to gift. It was out of stock at all the big stores, but I found it at https://www.summerbeambooks.com/, a small bookstore down in Oregon.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •