[pdovy]

We've tried to continue patronizing independent bookstores during the pandemic, but it's not surprising they are struggling (our favorite recently closed). The value-add over Amazon was always the warm atmosphere, personalized recommendations and the sense that you might discover a great book you didn't know about while perusing the shelves. Very hard to recreate that online, and independent shops can't compete with Amazon's shipping speed - so you're left with no value-add other than the store still being there in the future. Sad state of affairs.

[teawrecks]

Not giving my money to Bezos is value-add enough for me.