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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