Independent Bookstore Day 2017 at McIntyre's Books

by Susan Roberts

When Amazon become a strong force in the book business, they put many independent bookstores in the country out of business. Gone are Borders. B. Dalton and Waldenbooks. In the last several years, small independent bookstores have started to make a comeback. These are usually small bookstores that consist of only one store. Unlike on-line sales, you can find a knowledgeable person to help you find a book and recommend books. Many of them also hold author events, poetry readings, and local musicians and have become a literary center for their community. To celebrate independent bookstore, the last Saturday in April is Independent Bookstore Day and the bookstores hold events for their community.
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Carla Buckley and Pete (bookseller extraordinaire)
at McIntyre's Books with Carla's favorite
books. (photo credit: Susan Roberts)

This year on April 29, over 450 bookstores in the US participated in the celebration. I am lucky to have 12 independent bookstores in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where I live. Since I knew that I didn't have time to go to all 12 of them, I picked my favorite and spent most of the day at McIntyre's Books in Pittsboro, NC. They have been open for 28 years and were recently listed as NC's best independent bookstore on a list compiled by Book Riot of the best bookstores in each state.

When I first arrived, Carla Buckley (author of 4 books including The Good Goodbye and The Deepest Secret) and Louise Hawes (The Language of Stars) were both there and each had set up a small display with their favorite books. I had a chance to talk to Carla about her books, her writing process and what she is writing now. And, of course, while I was there, I bought books and had books signed by the two authors.

In the afternoon, Barbara Claypole White visited (Echoes of Family, The Unfinished Garden and 2 other books) and I spent time with her talking about her books, the time she is spending working on edits for her new book (due this fall) and how she makes time to write and be an active participant on social media. Again, I bought more books based on her recommendations, and she and I shopped for books (yes, and I bought even MORE books).

Barbara Claypole White and her book recommendations. (photo credit: Susan Roberts)

While I was there, I talked to the other local authors who were participating: Mike Mayo, Nancie McDermott, Sheri Castle, Camille Andros and Mark Riddle.

It was so much fun to be able to spend time with authors who I admire and to get their recommendations on great books to read.

I promised to buy one book from an independent bookseller on Saturday and here is a picture of the books that I bought.  I had already read several of them (Handmaid's Tale and The Nightingale but needed to replace copies that had been lent to friends and never returned).

photo credit: Susan Roberts

Do you have an independent bookstore in your area (click on the image below to locate an indie bookstore near you)? If so, try to support it by buying books there and attending events that they sponsor.  I know that I always have a great time at McIntyre's Books and the people who work there are full of suggestions about books that I should be reading.

Susan Roberts lives in North Carolina when she isn't traveling.  She and her husband enjoy traveling, gardening and spending time with their family and friends.  She reads almost anything (and the piles of books in her house prove that) but her favorite genres are Southern fiction, women's fiction, and thrillers. Susan is a top 1% Goodreads Reviewer. You can connect with Susan on Facebook.

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