Why Bookshop.org Is Better Than Amazon for Ebooks
In the age of convenience, Amazon often seems like the go-to place for everything—including ebooks. But if you’re someone who values supporting independent bookstores, ethical business practices, and a thriving literary ecosystem, Bookshop.org is a far better alternative. Here’s why:
1. Supporting Independent Bookstores
Bookshop.org was created to help independent bookstores survive in an industry dominated by corporate giants. When you purchase an ebook from Amazon, you’re contributing to its monopolization of the book industry. However, when you buy through Bookshop.org, a significant portion of the profits goes directly to indie bookstores, ensuring they can continue to serve their local communities.
2. More Money Goes to Authors & Bookstores
Amazon is notorious for squeezing publishers and authors by offering deep discounts and taking a significant cut of sales. Bookshop.org, on the other hand, ensures that more money makes its way back to authors and independent booksellers. By using Bookshop.org, you’re not just buying a book—you’re investing in a fairer, more sustainable publishing industry.
3. Transparency and Ethical Business Practices
Amazon has faced criticism for its treatment of warehouse workers, questionable tax practices, and monopolistic tactics. Bookshop.org operates with transparency, putting people before profit. It was built as a mission-driven platform that redistributes wealth in the book industry instead of hoarding it.
4. Curated Book Lists from Real Booksellers
Unlike Amazon’s algorithm-driven recommendations, Bookshop.org allows indie bookstores, authors, and book lovers to create curated lists. This means you can discover hand-picked selections from real experts instead of generic, AI-driven suggestions that prioritize bestsellers over hidden gems.
5. A Better Alternative to Kindle Lock-In
Amazon locks ebooks into its proprietary Kindle format, meaning you can’t easily transfer or read them on other e-readers. Bookshop.org, however, offers DRM-free books when possible, giving readers the flexibility to access their purchases across multiple devices without restrictions.
6. A More Sustainable Model for the Future of Books
Bookshop.org is proving that an alternative to Amazon can not only exist but thrive. Since its launch, it has raised millions for independent bookstores. If more readers shift their purchases to ethical platforms like Bookshop.org, it will ensure a more diverse and independent book market for generations to come.
Final Thoughts
Amazon may offer convenience, but it comes at the cost of indie bookstores, fair wages, and a diverse literary culture. Bookshop.org provides a more ethical, community-driven alternative where every purchase helps keep bookstores alive. If you care about books, authors, and the future of independent publishing, making the switch to Bookshop.org for your ebooks is a simple but powerful way to make a difference.
Here are the Most Popular BookStore Books this Month
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
Timothy Snyder’s concise guide offers lessons from history to safeguard democracy against authoritarianism.
Parable of the Sower
Octavia E. Butler’s dystopian novel follows a young woman with a unique gift navigating a chaotic future America.
Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury’s classic explores a future where books are banned, and ‘firemen’ burn them, delving into themes of censorship and conformity.
Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care
Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba discuss organizing strategies centered on mutual aid and community care.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World
Robin Wall Kimmerer reflects on the lessons of the natural world, emphasizing themes of abundance and reciprocity.
These selections highlight the diverse and thought-provoking titles that readers are currently favoring on Bookshop.org.
