Shop Local At These Ten, Independently Owned, Southern Wisconsin Bookstores This Holiday Season

The pandemic changed how the book business operates. According to the NY Times Amazon's profits soared 220% during the pandemic. To survive, independent booksellers had to adapt offering online shopping, curbside pick-up, virtual events and memberships. Still, not everything is rosy for indies, American Booksellers Association (ABA), estimates 35 member bookstores have closed during the pandemic, or nearly one shop shuttering their doors every week.

But, Americans love an underdog and loathe a monopoly, Amazon the latest villain while independently owned bookstores have begun a resurgence. Books in general are seeing an uptick in sales since the pandemic. The Association of American Publishers notes that total book publishing revenues for August 2023 across all categories are up 8.5 percent over August of last year.

Jason Joyce, publisher of the Isthmus newspaper in Madison attributes a rise in interest for printed media from Generation Z. That's right the youngest most tech wired generation is embracing books and other print media now. Why? Joyce in a recent interview with WORT FM's morning host Tony Castañeda says it is partially about escaping the digital world of social media.  Library Journal’s Generational Reading Survey found that 79 percent of Gen-Zers prefer hardcovers to just 32 percent for ebooks.

Even more comforting, Generation Z's renewed interest in books has brought Barnes & Noble from the abyss. After a hedge fund bought the storied chain in 2019 ground moving changes occurred instantly, when the company hired James Duant, the man credited with turning around the UK based book chain, Waterstones. Duant quickly moved to eliminate any non-book products from stores, and focus more on the reader and more specifically books. The result, this year B&N is opening 22 new bookstores. Barnes & Noble a counterweight to Amazon. The larger book retail trend reflects the larger trend that people are reading again, and independent booksellers in small towns will benefit as well. Indie Bound, online aggregator, non-profit of independent bookstores puts it simply this way, "Spend $100 at a local-owned business and $52 of that stays in your community. Spend $50 at a national chain and keep $6.50 in the local community."

Keep that in mind when considering bumper to bumper holiday season shoppers vs. the almost zen-like experience of setting foot into an independently owned bookstore.

Does a Kindle or tablet provide that intimate experience with a book? A paperback/hardcover? The arched spine? The book cover art the smell of the printed page,

or a Kindle?

PLEASE CONSIDER PURCHASING A BOOK FROM THESE SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BOOKSTORES

Make a daytrip this Saturday to Lake Mills to Daydream Believer Books and Gifts. Located in downtown Lake Mills this bookstore offers NY Times best sellers, Independent publishers, local authors, a large kids book section and small gifts for every occasion. Daydream Believer Books offers a wide selection of books in many genres

 and for all ages! Gifts include reading accessories, picks for the book lovers and curated and 

unique goods. Stop by for a cup of coffee or a delicious baked good. Stay a while in our cozy 

space and read a book while people watching 

This fine local bookseller is located at 130 E Lake St, in downtown Lake Mills. Phone 

(920) 648 5100 for more information.

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Arcadia Books' big bright windows silhouette readers, diners and shelves of books in this historic corner building in downtown Spring Green. Creaky wood floors, rows of NY Times best seller books, independent publishers, local authors, self-published books, children's books, graphic novels and the smell of fresh breakfast made with local ingredients wafts in the air Arcadia is a hygge place to lazily read with a new book in hand and cup of soup. 

Arcadia Books is open from 10am to 3pm and located at 100 East Jefferson Street in downtown Spring Green.

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A metaphysical bookstore in business for 35 years and a community space destination. Co-owner Linda Caldean attributes their sustained success to customer loyalty. "We couldn't survive without their support," says Caldean. We offer a soothing shopping environment along with unique products that are playful or speak to a variety of philosophical interests. We keep our inventory fresh and interesting and always listen to customer requests. In addition, we have a knowledgeable staff who provide great customer service. 

More than just a bookstore Earthsong offers psychic readings every Friday and Saturday, offers aura-photography, puts an outdoor Summer Festival in July. Earthsong is a community gathering space, providing a classroom that is rented out by teachers, and offering a variety of workshops. 

For those just getting into metaphysical world, Linda guides customers and makes recommendations that she hopes best meet their needs.

Linda says her favorite book is "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay. "The information in this book helped me at a critical time in my life (over 30 years ago) and it is still in print today!", says Linda.

Earthsong Books and Gifts is located at 12214 Kennedy Road in Janesville.

608-754-3933

Store hours

Mon - Fri: 10am-5:30pm

Sat: 10am-5pm

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Monroe is a great shopping destination for a daytrip. The town proudly defies the economic heavy weights of Walmart et al  and has thriving locally owned retail around its' historic Courthouse Square. Fireside Books is equally hoisted on the shoulders of loyal local book enthusiasts and has the staying power fueled by its' owner Kathi Spaeth. The store offers newly published books, NY Times bestsellers as well as vintage and collector books. 

The store hours are 11am to 5pm. Fireside Books is located at 1110 15th Ave in Monroe,. Call (608) 329-1110 for more information. 

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Located at 4 W Fulton St. Edgerton Books and Art is a both an art gallery and place for vintage and unique older books. Edgerton Books and Art can be contacted at (608) 501-7601.

The store is open this Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

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"Kismet Books, in Verona offers and wide range of new books and used books for readers young and old. Located in the heart of downtown Verona, just minutes from Epic Systems campus, and Madison's Southwest Side. Kismet Books is located at 101 North Main Street in Verona. For more information please call

(608)845-2500 or info@kismetbookshop.com.

This Saturday the store will be open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

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In these times of dwindling locally owned retail options in downtown Madison, a bookstore opening across the street from the Madison Children's Museum is a great coup for area bibliophiles and those who love supporting local. "Lake City Books is a new indie bookstore in downtown Madison, Wisconsin selling both new and used books for all ages. We have something for everyone including a whole wall of fantasy and romance (my favorites), a large non-fiction corner on teal shelves that we call "The Deep End", and plenty of books and gifts for kids. I opened this store to help fill the gap in downtown Madison after most other bookstores closed or moved away."

Lake City Books is open Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.

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One hour away from the gravitational pull of a Big Ten University places Whitewater squarely in the path of Lakes Edition readers who seek the off-the-beaten-path for a day trip. Downtown Whitewater is the quintessential Midwestern college town, a fertile setting for a great locally owned bookstore like The Book Teller . More that just a bookstore, The Book Teller is a gathering space for the community repurposed an historic bank building in downtown whitewater volunteer driven

171 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI | Tue-Fri 11am-6pm & Sat 10am-5pm

 262.269.9109

 karen@thebookteller.com