8 Ways to Educate Yourself sans Amazon in 2025 (Asheville Edition)

Valentine's Day is around the corner, but I'm here to talk about breaking up—with Amazon. It’s not you, it’s them. And by “them,” I mean the billionaire class that siphons wealth from local communities and hoards it like a dragon on a pile of gold. The consolidation of wealth and power in the hands of a few (looking at you, Bezos) isn’t just bad for small businesses—it’s bad for democracy.

Luckily, Asheville is packed with ways to keep your money where it matters: supporting local businesses, independent bookstores, and the people who make this city what it is. If you’re looking to expand your mind without padding the pockets of the ultra-rich, here are eight ways to buy books (and other knowledge) without defaulting to Amazon.

If you're looking for books to offer guidance in the chaos and overwhelm, here's a list of books on community organizing from Act Build Change.

1. THE LIBRARY (Yes, the actual library!)

Before you buy anything, remember that your public library is one of the most important community resources we have. With libraries increasingly under attack from budget cuts and book bans, supporting them is crucial. And by “supporting,” I mean using them. Or, if you've got the knowledge and experience, reach out to your nearest branch and ask if they'd appreciate help with writing grant applications. You may make a librarian cry happy tears in the process, so bring tissues.

The Buncombe County Library System offers a huge selection of books, audiobooks, and digital resources. Need an eBook? Libby and Hoopla let you download books and audiobooks straight to your phone—for free. Want to check out a physical book? Your library card gives you access to every library in the county (and state, depending how much time you have), meaning you can request books from multiple branches and have them sent to your nearest location.

Libraries are also a sustainability powerhouse: borrowing instead of buying means fewer new books being printed, less waste, and a more accessible knowledge economy for everyone. If you don’t have a library card, go get one. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s a direct way to invest in Asheville’s access to education and information. 

If you're worried about supporting the authors of the book by not buying it, here's a great piece on how libraries do just that!

2. Firestorm Books

Firestorm is Asheville’s worker-owned radical bookstore and community space. If you’re looking for books on social justice, local history, sustainability, and alternative perspectives, this is your spot. These people know the ins and outs of resistance and mutual aid, since they've been at it for a while now. 

3. Downtown Books & News

A long-time Asheville favorite, Downtown Books & News specializes in used books, hard-to-find magazines, and that perfect blend of chaos and charm that makes for a truly great bookstore experience. If you love the thrill of the hunt, this is the place to score your next read while supporting a local business.

4. Mr. K’s Used Books

Mr. K’s is a haven for book lovers looking for budget-friendly options. They have a solid selection of used books, and if you have books you’re ready to part with, they buy and trade as well—giving your old reads a second life and keeping books in circulation. They also have a location in Greenville, SC. 

5. Bagatelle Books

Bagatelle Books in West Asheville is a small but mighty independent bookstore with a curated selection of new and used books, plus rare finds. It’s a place for readers who appreciate quality over quantity, and where you can get genuinely thoughtful recommendations from booksellers who actually read the books they sell.

6. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café

No Asheville book list would be complete without Malaprop’s, the city’s iconic indie bookstore. Malaprop’s is a champion of local authors, hosts regular author events, and curates an amazing selection of books. If you want the charm of an independent bookstore with the reliability of a well-stocked shop, this is the spot.

7. Bookshop.org

If you absolutely need to order online but don’t want to support Amazon, Bookshop.org is the way to go. A percentage of every purchase supports independent bookstores, and you can even choose a specific Asheville bookstore to receive the commission from your sale. Think of it as Amazon, but ethical.

8. ThriftBooks

If you’re not too concerned about your book being crisp, new, and smelling like freshly printed paper, ThriftBooks is a great option. They have a massive selection of used books, making them a more sustainable and budget-friendly alternative. Plus, you can often find rare and out-of-print books that aren’t available elsewhere. Unlike Amazon, they aren’t hoarding data on your every search and purchase, and your money isn’t being funneled into a billionaire’s yacht fund.

The Takeaway

Shopping locally isn’t just a feel-good activity—it’s a direct way to keep money in Asheville, support small businesses, and push back against corporate monopolies. Every dollar spent at an independent bookstore is a vote for fair wages, sustainability, and a more vibrant local economy.

So next time you feel the urge to add to your To Be Read pile, skip Amazon, break up with Bezos, and keep your money in Asheville. Your local bookseller—and the entire community—will thank you.