04/19/2026
Indie Bookstore Day is next Saturday, April 25th! We're open during our usual hours, 10am-6pm!
It's time to really ponder what having indie bookstores in your community means. How does their presence affect community conversations? What is the impact on our schools, on underserved communities? I realize that huge online stores are incredibly convenient, that we've come to believe it isn't possible to not buy from them, but if you are unhappy about the way things are right now, a good portion of the blame sits at the feet of huge corporations like Amazon. The convenience they've taught us to crave costs us in health, political strength, and community. Bookstores you can walk into where you can have a conversation with people about what's happening in the world, about a favorite or least favorite book you've just read, or about the grief you are feeling for our world or a loved one in your life, offer us something that no website (not even ours) or algorithm ever will. As for Barnes and Noble, they are aggressively and literally taking over the indie bookstore market. I used to send folks to them, but not anymore. We have four brick and mortar indie bookstores in Riverside: Cellar Door, Downtown Books, Renaissance and Get Lit Books and Things (Moreno Valley but close enough). Each store offers its own personality, some used books, some new, and we may not have everything you want, but I bet, between all of us, we can usually get it for you. Neighboring communities hold even more wealth for book lovers. The Frugal Frigate has been a solid cornerstone of Redlands' kids lives for many years, Quiet Quail Books is an indigenous owned bookstore in San Bernardino, Page 78 in Redlands and there are more coming all the time. We know times are tough and are only going go get tougher, but if you are going to buy a book, but it from one of these stores, and for your own mental health, don't do it online. Go in, have a conversation, learn something new, share our humanity. - Linda