We've tried to continue patronizing independent bookstores during the pandemic, but it's not surprising they are struggling (our favorite recently closed). The

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.