Booksology Why bookstores are booming again
As fascination with more analog lifestyles grows, literary chic fashions roam the runways and streets, and bookish social media continues to dominate, it may come as no surprise that bookstores are booming. We spoke with Andy Hunter, founder and CEO of Bookshop.org. fast company To talk about Independent Bookstore Day and the success of indie bookstores despite Amazon:
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“People are excited about bookstores as a force for good in our culture,” he says. “You can see that in the fact that there are about 70% more bookstores in the United States than there were six years ago. After 20 years of decline, they are now coming back with a vengeance.”
Our article celebrating Independent Bookstore Day covers the origins of the book lover’s holiday, what the day and participating bookstores have to offer, and how our readers and Bookshop.org contribute to the success of indies.
New BookTok Bestseller List
Thanks to a collaboration between German-based Media Control and TikTok, the UK has created an official #BookTok bestseller list. Media Control’s algorithm creates this monthly book ranking by combining sales data from NielsenIQ BookData and #BookTok community engagement. The first month’s stats are for March 2026, with Rachel Reid’s “Heat Rivalry” topping the chart. However, Irish romance author Chloe Walsh dominates the list with six works, starting with “Taming 7” in second place. I’m almost certain that Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Jarosz will dominate the US version of this list (though they certainly have three titles each in the UK top 20), but so far the US only has a list of popular books on BookTok, compiled by various outlets, rather than an official one. You can check out Barnes & Nobles’ most popular BookTok books here and read more about how this collaboration will impact the world of books on the BBC.
Preview of new books released in May 2026
April is coming to an end, and previews of next month’s new releases are starting to arrive little by little. new york times Announcing the list of 26 books to be released in May, library magazine To name a few, the American Booksellers Association has issued a pre-pub alert for next month, and the American Booksellers Association has published an Indies Next List preview. Here are some highlights from the list.
- canon Written by Paige Lewis: I see this book everywhere, and it sounds like it’s being bandied about. So, an outlandish story about a non-binary artist and a prophet with OCD? Give it to me.
- Galen: Black Romance By Walter Mosley: The prolific author of the legendary Easy Rollins series returns with a coming-of-age novel about a neurodivergent black man. This novel sounds wonderfully gentle.
- one foot on earth Written by Pemi Aguda: Famous author of ghost routeThe novel, a collection of short stories and a National Book Award finalist, published her debut novel this year about the curse that befalls a pregnant woman in a housing complex in Lagos.
Books that are likely to become bestsellers include: The Calamity Club Written by Kathryn Stockett helpand midnight train Written by Matt Haig. Explore the list and bookmark your must-reads!
Adaptation to streams
The big news is that the much-discussed erotic film adaptation has been decided. Wuthering Heights It will stream on HBO Max this weekend. Please check it out From zero to well read Podcast episode about this book. please listen Wuthering Heights Discuss in pods on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you are, or watch an overview of Bronte’s classic songs on YouTube. If you’re a Netflix fanatic, you’re in luck. Because the streamer publishes an extensive list of new book adaptations coming out this year. Highlights include part 2 hundred years of solitude Based on the book by Gabriel García Márquez. heartstopper foreverAlice Osman’s movie finale heart stopper series; and reconsidered little house on the prairie Based on the book by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Can I petition for an adaptation of Louise Erdrich’s novel?) The Birchbark House?). Check out the list and banish the curse of ennui flow.
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