These are strange and scary times. Things suck right now. We need diversions, and stories help us cope. But we can only binge-watch so much Netflix. 

Luckily, we have books. Stories in book form are the perfect escape. They take you to another world while keeping you away from all the bad news. 

Unfortunately, publishers, authors and especially local independent bookstores are facing unimaginable challenges right now. So if you’re thinking about buying a book, there are great ways to do so while helping out your local booksellers.

Order directly from your local bookstores. Most are shipping fast and offering curbside pickup. 

IndieBound lets you find the books you love at your local bookstores, all in one place. Here in Portland, my nearby booksellers include Powell’s, Broadway Books and many others. Even Barnes & Noble could use a little love as the only nationwide bricks-and-mortar bookstore chain left. 

Or consider ordering from Bookshop.org. This committed and encouraging new online retailer lets you shop for books and financially support local bookstores at the same time. It’s a great way to give back to the book community. Many indie bookstores are participating affiliates, as are authors like me. Here are my books on Bookshop. They've already raised nearly 400k for local bookstores and are just getting started. 

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Hang in there, everyone. We have gotten through major crises before, and we will get through this. I know because I’ve read it in books. 

I for one believe we’ve been given a huge opportunity to create a better world. Hopefully we can seize it.