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?
 |
| Rara avis! Is that a book store? Check it out. |
Why the 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 at least one for
yourself, of course ;-)
Am
I pushing books I've written? Unavoidably, by implication (and if you do
consider
any of mine ... however you happen to decide, I appreciate
that). That said, I
intend this annual appeal more broadly. This blog concerns itself mostly
with science and SF, but I don't limit today's
notion even to those broad 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 -- SF, non-genre fiction, science, and other nonfiction -- 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, Librarything, or other
services/stores. A review 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. Heck, any time.)
Nourish the meme! Spread the word!
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