Hey, friends... If you're in the habit of ordering books from the big online giant, now is a GREAT time to form a new habit and make friends with your local indie bookstore. Here's why... (thread)

Online retailers have been backed up and deprioritizing book orders lately. That means orders can take days if not week. You know who's not deprioritizing books? Your local indie. Here's a story for you (don't worry...it has happy ending!)

My neighbor, who's been sick, tried to go online last week to buy a present for her granddaughter, whose birthday is coming up soon. The big online retailer a) had NO jigsaw puzzles to be found and b) couldn't get ANYTHING there on time.

She posted on fb how devastated she was. Her granddaughter was already spending her 12th birthday away from family, and now she couldn't even get a present to her. So I asked if she'd reached out to our nearby indie, @bookstoreplus.

Our local bookstore, like most, had to close its store building to the public, but the wonderful people who own it are still there every weekday, offering curbside pickup and free shipping - anywhere - for orders over $25.

So I suggested that my neighbor call. "You'll get Sarah or Marc on the phone," I said, " and if you tell them about your birthday girl, they'll help you find something wonderful." So my neighbor called. She got Marc & he was as great as he always is when you visit the store.

Unlike the big online retailer, @bookstoreplus had puzzles and games and other wonderful gifts in stock. Unlike the big online retailer, they were happy to ship out a present that day. They wrapped it for her, too, because indie bookstores are like that.

And can I tell you about one other fun thing @bookstoreplus is doing right now? They've put together bundles that you can order for pickup or deliver. Easter bundles! Book bundles! Art bundles! https://www.thebookstoreplus.com/store-bundles 

I bet your nearby independent bookstore is doing wonderful things for your community right now, too. So give them a call if you need books or gifts - you'll likely get amazing service, AND you'll help to support a local, family-owned business so they can still be here later on.