In Taiwan, “indie bookstore” is generally used as a catch-all term for non-chain-affiliated booksellers that focus primarily on book sales. The name “indie” emerged in the domestic publishing industry around fifteen years ago. While some ended up being the proverbial “flash in the pan”, others found their business footing and have stood the test of time. Their individual airs, experiences, and proclivities give each a unique story to tell and values to share.
Published in 2014, Beyond Bookstores includes original essays on forty-three indie bookstores around Taiwan. Although far from comprehensive, the stores covered are largely representative of the industry overall. Although ten years now separate today from these writings, there remains significant value in the time, effort, and insights invested in this work. The COVID-19 pandemic in fact led to nearly one in five of the shops covered either going out of business or changing their business model. For those with a curiosity and/or passion for indie bookstores, this work is an invaluable window onto the development and recent history of these bookstores in Taiwan.