Thanks for Giving Recap: Here’s How Much You Spent at Local Bookstores

The financial pressure from the pandemic has been unprecedented and devastating to many, including independent bookstores.

To help offset losses and encourage shopping small, we asked you to #ShopLocalBookstores between Wednesday, November 25th and Monday, November 30th*. If you spent at least $15 USD, you were eligible to receive a free, bestselling audiobook from Libro.fm (see the full list below) as a thanks for supporting independent bookstores.

Without further ado, here are the results of the Thanks for Giving campaign:

$171,583.51

Spent at local bookstores

3,135

Shoppers total (and therefore 3,135 gifted audiobooks from Libro.fm!)

$1,280.31

Largest individual purchase

778

Bookstores supported

One of the many joys of shopping local bookstores is that 28% of the revenue immediately recirculates in the local economy through tax dollars and employment. Thank you for showing up, shopping small, and giving big!

If you missed out, there are still countless ways you can help. We’ve compiled resources and creative ways to support bookstores at shoplocalbookstores.com, so head on over there and get started today.


When customers spent $15 at an independent bookstore, they were able to get one of the following audiobooks free:

Clap When You Land

By Elizabeth Acevedo • Narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo & Melania-Luisa Marte

“Put this book at the top of your listening list! Clap When You Land is a beautifully written and compellingly narrated story of two half-sisters who are unaware of each other’s existence until their father dies in a plane crash. Elizabeth Acevedo not only writes with an exquisite voice, but she and Melania-Luisa Marte alternate narrating with voices that carry into the readers heart and soul. One of the best audiobooks I have listened to in a very long time.”

Mary, bookseller at Anderson’s Bookshop

Leave the World Behind

By Rumaan Alam • Narrated by Marin Ireland

“Riveting! I hurried through this apocalyptic novel about two families thrown together during an earth shattering event. Alam builds tension even during a relaxing family day at the beach and expertly paces the reader through idle, dreamy stages and amps up the speed during stressful times. A thought-provoking study of humanity.”

Melanie, bookseller at The Well-Read Moose

Luster

By Raven Leilani • Narrated by Ariel Blake

Luster centers on Edie, a young black woman working in New York publishing and barely making rent each month, who finds herself navigating a suburban white couple’s open marriage. This novel is filled with unexpected turns taken at breakneck speeds….This is a multifaceted and brilliant book, as well as an extraordinary debut from Raven Leilani.”

Billy Butler, bookseller at Bookshop Santa Cruz

Me and White Supremacy

By Layla F. Saad • Narrated by the author

“Want to learn how to be a good ancestor? Need to address your privilege and feel uncomfortable about talking about racism? You need to read and work through Me and White Supremacy.”

Rachel, bookseller at Avid Bookshop

Mill Town

By Kerri Arsenault • Narrated by the author

“This is a beautifully written story about two small towns in Maine and the paper mill that is the foundation of their economy. It tells the much bigger story of the sacrifice of the workers, and the injustices to them and the environment. Arsenault masters the nuances of family and history, which pulled me into the story in the first few pages and kept me there….I’ll be recommending this as a must-read to our customers.”

Todd Miller, bookseller at Arcadia Books

New Kid

By Jerry Craft • Narrated by multiple narrators

An original full-cast audio adaptation of the graphic novel from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft, performed by the author with Jesus Del Orden, Nile Bullock, Robin Miles, Guy Lockard, Peyton Lusk, Rebecca Soler, Dan Bittner, Phoebe Strole, Marc Thompson, Miles Harvey, and Ron Butler.

Plain Bad Heroines

By Emily M. Danforth • Narrated by Xe Sands

“This one’s a stunner. Emily Danforth writes so compellingly, that even for its slow pacing, Plain Bad Heroines is impossible to put down. This is so much more than horror—a queer, coming-of-age, love story, history rewritten to include those it should never have erased—so atmospheric and character-driven, I found it difficult to find myself afraid, only undeniably intrigued. I giggled hysterically. I shook my fists at the patriarchy (because of course I did). Reader, I’d dive right back in again, even at the risk of yellow jackets following me back out.”

Britt, bookseller at Second Star to the Right

Shit, Actually

By Lindy West • Narrated by the author

“It might be that Lindy West talks during movies, but you wouldn’t shush her. She’s better than the movie. This audiobook is read by the author and she is hilarious. Smart, funny, irreverent and feminist. I’ll take that with a bowl of popcorn. PS: I really, really want West’s Hermione-lead HP remake.”

Robin, bookseller at Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

By Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi • Narrated by Jason Reynolds

“I was blown away by this book. I listened to the audio and Jason Reynoldss narration is engaging, funny, and moving all rolled into one. I found myself interested in history in ways I have not been in the past. As [a] white woman, I found myself grieving for the crimes my race has committed. For hatred that continued to take root and spread. Yet I also found hope….I wish I could make everyone read this book.”

Kristin, bookseller at Fables Books

The City We Became

By N. K. Jemisin • Narrated by Robin Miles

“I love N.K. Jemisin’s books, I love New York City, and I love this book about the soul and personification of New York. The City We Became might just be my favorite book to be published in 2020. This story is filled with tension, humor, and great characters, with a guest appearance near and dear to me. While this book is the beginning of a trilogy, it is completely satisfying as a stand-alone novel. Read it and be happy.”

Doug Chase, bookseller at Powell’s Books

The Power of Ritual

By Casper ter Kuile • Narrated by the author

“I just finished listening to this one and will soon be reading it with a stack of post-it notes in hand!”

Angela, bookseller at Reading Rock Books

When No One Is Watching

By Alyssa Cole • Narrated by Susan Dalian & Jay Aaseng

“This is a must-read thriller rooted deeply in Brooklyn and its racist past. As the neighborhood makes plans for the annual block party, Sydney ends up battling more than the micro-aggressions from her new white neighbors. When her best friends go missing, her mom’s prized garden is threatened, and a fake meter reader breaks into her home, she will put everything on the line to get out alive. At least she’s got a semi-charming, well-meaning Theo by her side.”

Christy, bookseller at Avid Bookshop

*Please note that receipt submissions were due on December 1st, as outlined in the FAQs. Thanks for giving!

10 thoughts on “Thanks for Giving Recap: Here’s How Much You Spent at Local Bookstores

  1. I shopped and bought during that time, but thought I would have a little time after to register for the free book? Did I have to do that during the timeframe as well? I don’t see a link to apply for it anymore.

  2. Hi,
    I saw this promotion and bought a book at Dudley’s Bookshop and Café in Bend, OR on Monday November 30, 2020. The total amount was $31.50 and I have the receipt. I thought I was supposed to send Libro.fm a copy of the receipt to get a code to download the free audiobook. I went on line today and it doesn’t say how to redeem the offer. If there was a deadline to send the receipt I wasn’t aware of it. Can you please help me with this? Thanks!

    1. Hi, Ron. Receipt submissions were due on December 1st, as outlined in all promotional content and the FAQ. Sorry about that! Thanks for giving, and for supporting Dudley’s Bookshop and Café!

  3. Hello libro.fm,
    I participated in the #shoplocalbookstores event over the Thanksgiving weekend and cannot find anywhere to upload my receipt. Please let me know how.
    Thank you very much.

  4. Oh no! I participated in this campaign over Thanksgiving and was going to gift the audio book as a Christmas gift. Was waiting for the recipient to pick out their choice. Is there any way to still redeem? 🙁

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