If you didn't finish your holiday shopping on the day after Thanksgiving — or, if you're like me, you didn't even leave the house on Black Friday — then chances are high that you're scouring the Internet for all the best Cyber Monday sales. I have nine indie bookstore deals for your Cyber Monday shopping list, so keep reading to find out how you can get the best prices on your bookish holiday buys.
Things were simpler when we were kids. There was Thanksgiving, then Black Friday, and then the stretch until Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa kicked off. Now, Small Business Saturday encourages local shopping on the day after Black Friday. Everyone takes a day off on Sunday — one of the worst days of the year for air travel — before Cyber Monday drowns our inboxes in alerts for holiday deals that are only available online. Then there's Giving Tuesday, when we all support our favorite charities. Frankly, it's exhausting.
Don't let yourself get burned out, though. Finishing your holiday shopping as soon as possible will give you a sense of accomplishment, and the indie bookstores that have Cyber Monday deals will make sure your friends and loved ones are well taken care of this holiday season.
(Psst: If you're in need of book suggestions, you can check out Afterlife author Melissa Jennings' thread below.)
Most independent bookstores have huge, in-store deals on Small Business Saturday, but a few extend those awesome savings through Cyber Monday. Publishers Weekly observes that some indie booksellers have "coopted Cyber Monday," transforming it into "Cider Monday": a day on "which stores serve hot apple cider and snacks to woo customers away from shopping online." New Hampshire's Toadstool Bookshops sparked the Cider Monday tradition in 2013.
Any of the nine indie booksellers below might be hosting Cider Monday festivities in their bricks-and-mortar stores, but they are also offering some fantastic Cyber Monday deals for book lovers and those who want to give them gifts this holiday season. Some of the bookstores on this list have pre-assembled bundles to make your shopping easier, so you won't have to spend hours scrolling through page after page of books — although I certainly would not blame you if you did exactly that.
Check out the nine indie bookstore deals for Cyber Monday that I've picked out for you below, and share your favorite independent booksellers with me on Twitter!
Print Bookstore of Portland, Maine
If you purchase Ta-Nehisi Coates' We Were Eight Years in Power from Print Bookstore before Dec. 31, the bookseller will donate $5 for every copy sold.
Powell's Books of Portland, Oregon
Powell's Books is offering 25 percent off everything on their site, plus free shipping on orders over $50, for every shopper who uses the coupon code PARTRIDGE before Midnight on Cyber Monday.
Murder by the Book of Houston, Texas
Now through Christmas Eve, you can get a $30 gift card for $25, a $60 gift card for $50, or a $120 gift card for $100 at Murder by the Book.
Strand Book Store of New York City
Get free economy shipping on any order at New York City's Strand Book Store, Monday only.
Bookshop Santa Cruz of Santa Cruz, California
Now through Dec. 31, Bookshop Santa Cruz customers get free shipping on orders over $50, with by-Christmas delivery guaranteed for orders placed before Dec. 18.
Better World Books
Order four or more used books that ship from Better World Books and get 30 percent off with the code CYBERMONDAY17.
Books of Wonder of New York City
Through Nov. 30, online shoppers can take 15 percent off orders at Books of Wonder by using the coupon code 84NEW.
Melville House Books of Brooklyn, New York
Everything at Melville House Books has been discounted 40 percent, which means you can pick up books, totes, and coffee mugs for everyone on your list without spending your entire paycheck.
Redbery Books of Cable, Wisconsin
Redbery Books is offering 25 percent off of one book, Monday only, with the code CYBER17. Free shipping and gift-wrapping are included.
