Brick-and-mortar bookshops look better than ever in the Amazon age

The article reflects on the book publishing industry's performance in 2025, revealing that physical books remain surprisingly popular despite the digital dominance of Amazon. Despite Amazon's control over print book sales, brick-and-mortar bookstores are experiencing a resurgence, with independent shops growing in number. The author highlights the appeal of the physical book experience, noting it is inherently different from other media. He also discusses the limitations of e-books, particularly in terms of layout and user experience, even with new AI features. The author criticizes Amazon's declining shopping experience, citing issues like irrelevant search results and inflated prices. Contrasting this, the author praises independent bookstores like Kepler's for their curated selections and ability to foster serendipitous discovery. He concludes that bookstores offer a valuable alternative to Amazon's utilitarian approach. The author emphasizes his support for independent shops despite Amazon’s prominence. The article notes the publishing industry's continued success and the viability of neighborhood bookstores, and the author looks forward to continue reading physical books. Finally, the author provides ways to contact him and read other articles.