What Is Book Sense?

For over 110 years, the American Booksellers Association has worked to protect independent bookstore owners’ interests and help them thrive in local business atmospheres. It designed its IndieBound program, formerly known as Book Sense, to promote the best independently published books to independent booksellers.

The beginning of Book Sense

The rise of large chain bookstores made it difficult for independents to compete. It also made it difficult for independent publishers to get their books in stores. In 1999, the ABA launched its Book Sense program to shed the spotlight on the top new books in a list called the Book Sense Picks. This monthly list compiles the top new fiction and non-fiction books by new and established authors with independent publishers.

From Book Sense to IndieBound

In 2008, the goal of Book Sense evolved into IndieBound, a movement to encourage readers to support their local bookstores. Showcasing the country’s top independent bookstores and their dedication to selling great books in their hometowns, and serving as an example to other bookstores, it encompasses the spirit of the whole “Buy Local” movement. Not only does it promote the latest new, independently published books, but it promotes support of all local businesses, not just book stores. Shopping at local businesses keeps more money in the community, promotes a greater selection of individual choices and reduces the need for environmentally-unfriendly packaging and transportation.

Other lists

IndieBound does not just cover the top new books for adults. In addition, it publishes a quarterly selection of children’s books and an annual list of the best poetry. This encourages readers of all ages, as well as their parents, to take an interest in books they may not have seen otherwise.

IndieBound, formerly known as Book Sense, promotes the best new books to independent bookstores and the readers who support them. By creating a sense of community between bookstores, authors, publishers and readers, it gives these books a chance for greater exposure and creates a community niche which larger bookstores cannot fill.