What’s behind the resurgence of bookstores?

The Ethical Life

Episode 161: The traditional bookstore is undergoing a resurgence, transforming into vibrant community hubs that defy predictions of their demise in the digital age. This turnaround comes after many had forecast the "complete demise" of bookstores in the face of competition from e-commerce and digital books.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada attribute this sucess to three key factors: serving as community gathering spaces, curating unique local collections and hosting events that bring readers together.

"Bookstores are ideal places to define and pass on local culture," Kyte said. "They can present something unique about the culture and history of a region better than any other physical place."

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

The revival of independent bookstores brings communities together, by Richard Kyte

Some surprising good news: Bookstores are booming and becoming more diverse, by Alexandra Alter and Elizabeth A. Harris, The New York Times

Pearl Street Books, La Crosse, Wis.

Barnes & Noble, Rochester, Minn.

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."