IndieBound Blog

Em and Em’s Books is an online and pop-up independent bookstore based in Buffalo, New York. As a queer and partially native-owned business, focuses on work by LGBTQIA2S+, BIPOC, and women authors and donates a portion of the profits each month to a different charity or nonprofit. 

I met with co-owners Emma Hayes and Emily Graham to learn more about the store’s origin, operation, and future goals.

When Stephanie Csaszar opened a physical bookstore in 2018, she had next to no online presence. But as the pandemic progressed and her own health deteriorated, Csaszar made the shift to a fully online store. Today, Death By TBR Books specializes in genre fiction and operates out of Csaszar’s home in Washington. I sat down with Csaszar to learn how she came to bookselling, how Death By TBR has evolved, and where it’s going in the future.

Spiral Circle, a metaphysical bookstore in Orlando, Florida, will celebrate its 50th year of operation in 2025. Founded in 1975, the shop has long been a little haven near downtown Orlando. I met with owner Julie Wilder, as well as Christina Ray, intuitive reader and book buyer, to learn more about Spiral Circles’ past and future, as well as the unique challenges of running a metaphysical bookstore. 

In 2023, Plot Twist Books in South Charleston, West Virginia, announced the addition of an Airbnb to their bookstore. The fully furnished room adjoining the bookstore, boasted a private entrance and 24/7 access to the shop. Immediately enamored with the idea of spending the night in a bookstore, I made a mental note (and several physical ones) to check in with Plot Twist in the future to see how the Airbnb was working out. So, a year after the announcement, I met with Plot Twist co-owner, Matt Browning, to learn more about him, the bookstore, and the Airbnb.

Cupboard Maker Books is a new and used bookstore in Enola, Pennsylvania, that has been in operation for 26 years! Every year, Cupboard Maker Books celebrates Bookstore Romance Day, so owner Michelle Haring tells us more about the store and Cupboard Maker Books' plan for this Bookstore Romance Day.

Love’s Sweet Arrow is a romance bookstore in Tinley Park, Illinois. Originally opened by mother-daughter duo Marissa and Roseann Backlin in 2019, the shop recently celebrated its five year anniversary. 

Every year, Love’s Sweet Arrow celebrates Bookstore Romance Day, so Bookselling This Week met with Marissa Backlin to learn more about the store and what they have planned for this Bookstore Romance Day.