by Victoria Bromley
Where we get our books from matters. Not just to the booksellers, or the publishers, but also to ourselves. Book buying is an experience, just like reading the books themselves, that’s why book shopping and reading feel like two separate hobbies. In a digital age where adding anything to an online cart and checking out is easy, there’s no personal experience.
As it’s Independent Bookshop Week (14-21 June 2025), here are all the reasons shopping locally and buying from independent bookshops is superior in every way.
Can find books before they’re even published
Two years ago I went to The Eastgate Bookshop in Totnes and was amazed to see a copy of Bellies by Nicola Dinan in the window a day before it was officially published. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced readers copy to review, and knew the publication date as I was excited for it to be released into the world, and there it was in all its glory pre-publication. I thought, how can this be? Then again, last month, I went back into the bookshop as I was in Devon and found The Laddie Upstairs by Jessie Elland on the table a few days before its publication date.
To encourage readers to shop in independent bookshops, publishers will give them books pre-publication to entice customers inside and spend their money locally. You never know! If there’s a new release you’re dying to read but it’s not available yet, it’s worth trying your luck by visiting a few indie bookshops to try and seek it out.
Signed editions
Whenever I go into an independent bookshop I always find signed books and most often I have already bought the book elsewhere and can’t justify buying it again, even though I really want to!
P & G Wells in Winchester is the oldest bookshop in the country and it is such a stunning bookshop. I saw a signed copy of Holly Bourne’s latest novel So Thrilled for You, but I’d already read it on my Kindle. I should have gone back and got it anyway…
Recommendations
It’s so lovely to speak to book sellers. Almost always, they will comment on either the book I’m buying or on any of the books around the till and will give me a recommendation. I remember when I bought Shy by Max Porter, a book seller recommended Lanny by the same author. I am yet to get to that one, having read Grief is a Thing with Feathers shortly after reading Shy. I think it’s time I get the full collection of Porter’s work and test out that recommendation.
It’s always nice leaving a bookshop with a new book (or two, or three, or more) but also with a recommendation for next time.
Book tokens
When I was last in The Eastgate Bookshop, with my purchase I was given a National Book Token for £5 which can be claimed during Independent Bookshop Week. I have now filled in the online form and been given my book token, all ready for my next visit to an indie bookshop.
Book offers
There are so many perks and surprises to be found in indie bookshops. Yes, building up points on the Waterstones loyalty card is fun and a £10 reward for spending £100+ is always a win, but don’t think that buying from indie bookshops will cost you more.
At The Eastgate Bookshop there was a whole shelf with books which had 3 for 2 stickers. I was able to get both The Calculation of Volume I and II by Solvej, along with We are Together Because by Kerry Andrew, a book I’d never seen before and wouldn’t have picked up unless I was trying to find a third book for the deal. Very excited to read it on holiday as I was mainly book shopping to collate my summer holiday reading list.
Extra goodies!
I love when indie bookshops have extra little goodies at the tills, such as these stunning badges of I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel at Bookbag in Exeter. There’s so much more than just books at indie bookshops.
Events
Indie Bookshops host many events where you can see your favourite authors in conversation with other writers, or meet a debut author before they rise to fame. Buying books from indie bookshops isn’t the only way you can support them. Next time your local bookshop hosts an event, go along! You never know who you may meet there, or what books you may find.
If you’re going book shopping this week, make sure to check out your local independent bookshop. Here’s a list of some of our favourites.
swim press 