Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Buy-a-Book Saturday (heck, buy books all weekend)

Regularly since 2010, at about this time of year, I've posted about Buy-a-Book Saturday. That's my personal variation on Small Business Saturday: a day (specifically, the second day after Thanksgiving, and one day after retail's infamous Black Friday) on which holiday shoppers are especially encouraged to patronize small businesses. The big-box stores and Internet giants will do fine this holiday season. But will your neighborhood, non-chain shops and boutiques?

Why a buy-a-book variant? Because what business is smaller than the author toiling away by him- or herself? Because, as I (and many others) post from time to time, the publishing business is becoming tougher and tougher -- especially for authors. Because more than likely you're a reader, else you wouldn't have stopped by this blog.

So: I'm here to suggest you give serious consideration to books -- whether print or electronic  or audio -- for some of your holiday gifting. Friends, relatives, coworkers, your kids' teachers, the local library you support ... surely there's a book that's right for each of them. And for yourself, of course :-)

Am I pushing my own books? Unavoidably, by implication (and if you do consider one of mine ... however you happen to decide, I appreciate that), but I intend this annual appeal more broadly. This blog concerns itself mostly with science and SF, but I don't intend to limit today's post even to those extensive topics.

If you're open to suggestions -- none of them my title -- I've got your back. That is, for each of the past several years I've posted about a few books that I personally found noteworthy:
And while you're in a generous holiday spirit, also consider extending the gift of support: writing reviews of, and awarding stars to, your favorite books at Amazon, Goodreads, or other services/stores. This won't cost you a cent, and it'll help the authors. Majorly. For more on this idea, see "Notes from *far* outside my comfort zone."

There you have it: Buy-a-Book Saturday! (Not to mention the obvious extension of the concept to Cyber Monday! And throughout the holiday season.) Nourish the meme! Spread the word! 

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