I read a lot of books (or at least I used to, and one day I will again) and one of my favourite things to do is comb the book sections of second hand stores for new babies to bring home. Oh my ggg I miss thrift shopping so much right now! I give a lot of books a chance based on wether or not I can score a cheap copy, and the titles I find second hand are what make up my to read pile. GIRO is the best for this where paperbacks are THREE for a dollar (so, basically free) and hardcovers $1 each. Without thrifting to find new books right now I’m looking exclusively to online purchasing to get my fix.

In the past I would order from amazon because the shipping is free and they have everything. I’m totally unimpressed with how they have been treating their employees during the covid-19 pandemic, however, and don’t want to add any of my money to the $11,000 per SECOND they are currently making as people at home do all their shopping online.

Our communities are filled with local bookstores that have had to close their doors and when this is over I REALLY want them to reopen again. I’m done with amazon, Jeff Bezos will survive this lockdown and have profited off it. What will happen to independent book shop owners? Where we put our money now will determine which businesses come out the other side of this and I encourage you to support local. As a Canadian I also feel it is important to support the Canadian economy with my dollars whenever possible.

So I reached out on fb to find out where my friends buy their books online that isn’t Amazon. Here are some great options for supporting local book businesses during quarantine.

The Book Man Chilliwack, BC (Curbside pickup and delivery available)

Massy Books Vancouver, BC (Free shipping in Vancouver and discounted rates elsewhere. Massy Books is 100% Indigenous owned and operated and a member of the Stó:lō Business Association.)

The Paper Hound Vancouver, BC (Local delivery by bicycle!!) (Vancouver Sun article)

Sorensen Books Victoria, BC (Curb side pick up and delivery, more details on their page)

32 Books and Gallery North Vancouver, BC (Free local delivery)

Russell Books Victoria, BC (Free pick up at contactless window, or free shipping over $50)

McNally Robinson (Canadian independent book seller, shipping for $8 on orders of $30 or more)

Bolen Books Victoria, BC (Contactless pickup)

Chapters Indigo (Canada’s biggest bookstore, offering contactless pickup and select locations and free standard shipping within Canada on orders of $35 and up)