Buy-a-Book Saturday

It's that time again.

Regularly since 2010, shortly before Thanksgiving, I've posted about Buy-a-Book Saturday. That's my personal variation on Small Business Saturday: the 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?

Why do I promote 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 and coaches, the local library you support ... surely there's a book that's right for each of them. And at least one book for yourself, of course ;-)

Suppose you're at a brick-and-mortar bookstore, and a book or author you had in mind isn't on the shelf. Not a problem! Almost certainly, the store will be happy to special-order books for you. (Why? Because they'd much rather do a special order than have you go home and order online for yourself.)

Am I pushing books I myself have written? Unavoidably, if only by implication. (If you do consider any title 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 feeling the need for inspiration, not to worry. For many years I've posted about a few books -- SF, non-genre fiction, science, and other nonfiction -- that I personally found noteworthy. Here they are:

• "2019 best reads"
• "2018 best reads"
• "2017 best reads"
• "2016 best reads"
• "2015 best reads"
• "Books to savor, 2014 edition"
• "Books to knock your socks off ..." (posted in 2013)
• "That's entertainment! / Books for the holidays" (my 2012 list).

And seeing as how you're in a mellow holiday mood (you are, aren't you?), you might also consider extending the gift of support: posting 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! Buy a book!