10 Alternatives to Amazon For All Your Bookish Needs

Did you know that Amazon originally launched as a bookselling platform? Since it's launch in 1994, Amazon has quite literally taken over the world, and driven many independent bookstores out of business in the process.

Of course, their empire reaches much farther than just books, and there are many ethical reasons that one might consider Amazon alternatives (data collection, overconsumption, etc.), but I encourage you to do your own research and form your own opinions on those. I'm not here to tell you how to feel or what to do, and I'm not here to lecture or judge anyone for using Amazon. I'm just here to talk about books.

Personally, though, Amazon doesn't need my money, and there are so many great businesses that get hidden in their massive shadow.

So, I've compiled a list of my favorite shopping alternatives to cover the needs of almost any book lover while supporting small businesses and good causes. I hope you enjoy!

Support your local bookstores. This is the most obvious alternative, but I still wanted to include it because so many great bookstores get overlooked. Sure, we all love Barnes & Noble, and I'm not saying we shouldn't, but I encourage you to also look for smaller, independent bookstores in your area. Those are where you often find the true gems, like signed copies, rare editions, and local authors that you may not have discovered otherwise. Sadly, I live in an area that doesn't have any independent stores, so I always look for ones to visit when I travel.
Bookshop allows you to support indie bookstores from the comfort of your couch! You can choose a bookstore you want to support, place your order through Bookshop, and have it shipped right to your door. A portion of the sale benefits the store of your choice, and they've raised over $25,000,000 to help independent bookstores thrive. Personally, Bookshop is my favorite option because it allows me to support the bookstores I've fallen in love with during my travels, even if they're hundreds of miles away.
Libro.fm is similar to Bookshop, but with audiobooks. A membership is $15 per month, and it uses a credits system to help you earn free books--right now, you earn 2 credits just for signing up! You choose the bookstore you want to support, and every time you download an audiobook, the sale benefits that store directly. It's easy to use and highlights lesser known authors that usually get buried on bigger platforms like Audible.
Biblio is the place to go if you're in search of more uncommon titles. Whether it's a first edition, out of print, or just extremely rare, if you can name it, Biblio probably has it. They partner with independent bookstores for sourcing, and so far, have used their profits to build 12 (and counting!) libraries in Bolivia.
Powell's City of Books is the world's largest independent bookstore, founded in 1971, and their website has been around since before the dawn of Amazon. This is a great way to support a family business while still enjoying a huge, diverse collection of books. If you're local to Portland, OR, or ever visiting the area, be sure to check out their flagship store, which boasts over 1 million books!
Hive is the perfect option if you're in the UK. Similar to Bookshop and Libro, you can choose the bookstore you wish to support, then choose from free home delivery, or quick, easy pickup from the bookstore itself. They also offer a 10% discount for students and senior citizens.
Kobo is a brilliant alternative to the Kindle, with a comparable selection of E-Books. There are models in all shapes and sizes to choose from, including waterproof options, and a few are made from recycled plastic. If you're in the market for a new E-Reader, there's sure to be a Kobo model that suits your needs.
Synch your Kindle with Libby. If you already have a Kindle, by all means, use it! Did you know that you can download E-Books for free through your local library? If your library uses Libby, you can connect that to your Kindle account, and any E-Books you check out will be accessible for however long your checkout period is, then you can simply return them when you're done. This is a great way to still enjoy your Kindle, but also support your local library. It works for Audiobooks, too!
Just... support your local library. If you just want to read and aren't trying to collect books, checking them out through your local library might be your best option. I know this is another one that seems obvious, but many don't realize the impact libraries can have on our communities and really, the world as a whole. If you haven't already, I encourage you to sign up for a library card, and for your library's newsletter, if they offer one. It will keep you informed on events going on throughout the month, and some of them may surprise you!
The StoryGraph is last but certainly not least. I recently learned that Goodreads is owned by Amazon, and decided to see if there was a comparable alternative out there. The StoryGraph was the winner for me! It has a similar community, rating, and review system, with a heavy emphasis on positivity, and who doesn't need more of that in their life? I've been especially impressed with their recommendations, which feel a lot more personalized and narrowed down. If you've been on Goodreads for a while like I had, it can feel daunting to start over. However, The Storygraph makes it easy because you can import your data directly from Goodreads. It kept all my shelves, tags, and ratings, and took less than 5 minutes.

If you decide to try any of these options, or know of any others, please let me know! Be sure to join me on Discord so we can chat about other ways to support local bookstores, libraries, and share the impact of reading with our communities, as well as make friends and talk about our current reads.

Please understand that I am not trying to deter anyone from using Amazon. I get it, it's quick, easy, and cheap, and if it's what you like, that's great. Again, I'm not here to tell you what to do or how to feel, and I'm certainly not going to judge anyone for where they choose to shop. I just wanted to bring awareness to some great causes and some really cool businesses that often get overshadowed.

'•.¸♡ Happy shopping! ♡¸.•'