Local indie bookstores... like a box of chocolates

I’ve always been a sucker for printed books. When it comes to reading, there’s no denying that’s my absolute favorite way to do it. Now, I must admit, I do have a Kindle, and when I travel for work, it’s definitely a better option than lugging around a bunch of printed books. You know how it is, trying to fit a week’s worth of clothes into two carry-ons? It’s a real challenge, and books don’t exactly fit in the best way.

So don’t worry, this post isn’t me hating on e-books. Digital books are a wonderful way for people to get access to books when maybe their budget is limited, or they don’t have a lot of space, or can’t easily get to a local library.

But I resisted getting that Kindle for a long time because I love going to the bookstore.

Like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get

Why do I love it so much? I love the browsing. I love being surrounded by thousands of books. To have that many choices. The colors on the spines, the different fonts. I love being able to have something catch my eye, pick it up, and read the back.

I’ve found so many surprises that way. Books I would have never thought to search for online, genres I wouldn’t normally seek out. It really is that Forrest Gump box of chocolates idea: you never know what you’re going to get. There’s always something new to discover at the bookstore.

Choosing something tasty

I know they say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and I get the sentiment behind the saying. But I kinda do judge by the cover, if I’m being honest... At least when it comes to choosing a book to read. The cover needs to catch my eye to make me pick it up, and that’s why good cover design is so important (and is a whole different post for another day).

Once the cover catches me, though, the back cover copy needs to seal the deal. Yes, you can see covers and read blurbs online. For me, being able to touch a book matters. Pick it up. Flip through the pages. It’s a much more satisfying and rewarding experience.

Making a comeback

There was a point where I worried the bookstore would disappear. The days of the printed book were numbered, people said. Bookstores are a thing of the past, they warned.

It made me sad to see indie bookstores disappearing at the height of the superstore movement, forced out by behemoth companies and then to see those behemoths lose ground to the swell of e-book interest.

Booksellers are, thankfully, a tenacious bunch. The American Booksellers Association (ABA) says that – in 2025 – there are about 2,800 independent bookstores in the US. Not a lot when you consider the size of the country, but the ABA also says there’s been an 11% year-over-year increase in its membership, “reflecting a resurgence in independent bookstore ownership.” Reading that made my heart happy.

A few delectable morsels

We had an indie bookstore right in my town. It was called Escape into Fiction, and it was delightful. I had my Stone Heartbook launch event there. Sadly, the owner’s spouse was relocated to Ohio for his job and the store shuttered last year. I wish they could have found someone to take it over. There is another not that far away called Tatnuck Booksellers. If you’ve never been there, check it out. They’re in Westborough, MA. There’s also Whitelam Books in Reading, MA and  Belmont Books in – you guessed it – Belmont, MA. I definitely recommend them.

There are amazing indie bookstores tucked away all over the place. Where are your favorites? Add them in the comments. You never know when one might be right next door.

Pictures sourced from Unsplash—credit to Annie Spratt, Becca Tapert, and John Michael Thomson.