In praise of independent bookshops

Here I am reading from my book and here is Nic Wilson, a Hitchin-based author who gave a fascinating talk about her new book 'Land Beneath the Waves' at The Book Nook this week (she even set up her own nature table which took us all back to our primary school days!).
It's Independent Bookshops Week this week. Bookshops of all kinds are an endangered species in the UK these days, as more and more of us buy books online (me included of course sometimes). But a real bookshop is a delight, for all ages. Adults can't resist the urge to browse and children's eyes light up when they see how many books there are - actual books they can touch and choose.
Independent bookshops go further and create a relationship with their communities and this is how they survive. Julia Chesterman who runs The Book Nook not only sells books but runs an imaginative programme of author events, such as the visit by Nic Wilson, which connect authors directly with their reading public and is so rewarding for everyone.