Long-term relationship with a local bookseller
Long-term relationship with an outstanding bookstore I first visited Snowbound Books in 2024 when a local, with whom I went to law school, recommended the shop. I’m in D.C., my colleague is in Grand Rapids, and mutual friends have a lovely place in the U.P. We stopped and shopped, then I went back to D.C. with a suitcase full of books. I was hooked . . . from this point forward this was my go-to bookstore. I ordered a Christmas-list full of books, and the crew at Snowbound responded with class. Since that visit, I’ve made a point to support this, my new local bookstore, throughout the year, both with hardcovers and audiobooks. Snowbound linked up its business venture with the audiobook marketer Libro.fm, which collaborates with local bookstores to offer a seamless alternatives for audiobooks, doing an end-run around platforms that historically have minimized or shut out local bookstores. Libro.fm shares its profits with these local bookstores, and offers great deals with titles in their massive library. Recently, I researched the Snowbound catalog and received 14 books (see the photo). During the same period I purchased, at retail in some cases and with a deep discount in other cases, about 15 audiobooks, which I devoured upon arrival. This may reflect idealistic tendencies, but I would much rather support local booksellers, and audiobook platforms that share their profits with booksellers. Libro.fm meets this requirement for the audiobooks, and Snowbound meets it for new hardcovers. We’re lucky to have both, as alternative to platforms that lack any connection with the local markets being served.
By Chris M.