I just love visiting bookstores.

I get the same nostalgic feeling I would get when going to Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, or Rent-A to pick out a movie or video game before they all went out of business. With so many books to choose from, I like taking my time browsing each aisle, admiring the covers, and picking up each book to read the back. I even make a point to visit them whenever I travel, like this bookstore I found while attending a conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma last year.

It would be incredibly sad if all brick-and-mortar bookstores closed their doors and had a going out in much the same way as local video rental stores did. We have already bid farewell to chains such as Hastings and Borders, of which I was so distraught over.

I miss walking around Borders with my Seattle’s Best coffee.

More specifically, a hot, grande, white chocolate mocha with 2 pumps of white chocolate, 1/2 pump of peppermint, topped whipped cream. Enjoying the atmosphere of being surrounded by bounds of papers, each with a written story appealing to my mood and I wanting to read them all.

I watch a YouTube channel called Company Man and it covers the demise and success of businesses. It would be a terrible thing if every last one of the brick-and-mortar bookstores disappeared. I fear for this as online purchases from mega companies (well one in particular) take over a lot of what small business bookstores have to offer. With their unique, local charm, familiar faces, and book recommendations. The camaraderie. Book signings and other fun events.

Having choices and competition is great.

I also love the convenience of online shopping including purchases from my local bookstore via their website, but I want to see them thrive too. I also listen to a fair amount of audiobooks so I wasn’t sure how to balance it all.

There actually is a way to listen to audiobooks while supporting your local bookstore.

Libro.fm is an audiobook company where listeners can help to support local bookstores and communities. They keep prices fair to authors and bookstores. In fact your community sees 25% more money with their partnership. Membership price and value is quite comparable to Amazon’s Audible. The selection choice is smaller, but with over 100,000 books and growing, I have been able to find every book I have wanted. I also like the way their website is organized along with their search option features.

And today they’re offering FREE books!

If you join with a membership, you’ll not only be supporting your local bookstore, but you’ll also get 3 audiobooks for the price of 1. That’s 3 audiobooks for $14.99.