Libro.fm

Celebrating 10 years of supporting independent bookshops! https://lnkd.in/gzs-KTD2

Love is in the air…and on bookshelves! Romance has historically been dismissed as a guilty pleasure, but readers everywhere are redefining and embracing these stories. Not only is it the highest grossing fiction genre ($1.44 billion in revenue, WordsRated), but romance specific bookshops are opening at a strong pace. Just two years ago, the U.S. had only two independent bookshops dedicated to romance. Fast forward to today, and there are more than 20 (The New York Times)! At Libro.fm, we are proud to partner with these romance stores, including: 💗 Meet Cute Romance Bookshop (San Diego, CA) Meet Cute Romance Bookshop is a queer- and woman-owned, feminist bookshop focusing on genre romance. The store is a place for romance readers (and the romance-curious) to meet up, hang out, and nerd out about books through book clubs, author conversations, and other bookish events throughout the year. 💗 Steamy Lit Romance Bookstore (Deerfield Beach, FL) Steamy Lit Bookstore is more than just a romance bookstore—it's a haven for readers seeking stories that reflect our diverse world. Founded by Melissa Saavedra, an immigrant from Peru and a Navy veteran, Steamy Lit stands out by focusing on amplifying the voices of authors who have historically been underrepresented in the romance genre. 💗 The Last Chapter Book Shop Chicago (Chicago, IL) The Last Chapter Chicago is a romance-only bookstore dedicated to creating a welcoming and enchanting space for readers and romantics alike. Located in the heart of Roscoe Village in Chicago, the store offers a curated selection of romance novels that celebrate love in all its forms. The numbers don't lie—romance print sales more than doubled in just three years, from 18 million copies in 2020 to 39 million in 2023 (Book Riot). At Libro.fm, we love celebrating romance books and the incredible bookshops that cultivate a space for romance readers.

Whether you're aiming to further your career, reach ambitious reading goals, or explore books outside your comfort zone, audiobooks can be the perfect companion. Here’s why many readers listen to audiobooks ⬇️: 🎧 Reading on audio has the same benefits as reading a physical book In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers saw that audiobooks stimulated the same cognitive and emotional areas as physical books. For people with dyslexia or other disabilities, audiobooks can also be an essential tool to access literature. 📚 Audiobooks make new genres more digestible and fun Memoirs narrated by the author and engaging fantasy worlds can be more approachable via audiobooks. Readers may feel a greater connection with the book when an audiobook is paired with a fantasy musical score or the author can breathe emotion into their written words. ⏳ Audiobooks improve time management and multitasking Being able to read while driving, doing household chores, or exercising is one of the greatest benefits of audiobooks. Multitasking becomes easier—and more enjoyable—when you pair activities like commuting, cleaning, or cooking with a good book. Start your audiobook journey today: https://libro.fm/

Black-owned independent bookshops from around the globe, perfect for supporting this month and all year round 💕⁠ ⁠ We can support these shops by: ⁠ 🏡 Visiting and shopping in person ⁠ 💻 Shopping online ⁠ 🎧 Supporting them with Libro.fm ⁠audiobooks 📱 Following and engaging with them on social media⁠ 📆 Attending their events, whether virtual or in person ⁠ ⁠ See all these stores and learn more about them: https://lnkd.in/gw9Yfc6s __⁠ [ID: 18 slides featuring Black-owned bookshops from around the globe that are Libro.fm bookshop partners.] #Bookstores #Bookstore #Bookshops #BookstoreLove #IndieBookshops #BlackHistoryMonth

We're hiring for three fully remote positions: Senior Engineering Manager, Senior Backend Engineer, and an Android Developer! ⁠ ➡️ Take a look through for a quick overview, and then head to the link 🔗 to learn more about the roles, benefits, and pay: https://lnkd.in/gF5XcU_5 💓 Among other benefits, Libro.fm offers flexible paid time off, a sabbatical leave every five years, health, dental, and vision, 401k with company match, paid parental leave, and more. ⁠ If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below ⬇️ and feel free to tag/share with a friend you think might be interested!⁠ __ [ID: Five slides advertising three open positions. Text across the slides read: "We are hiring! Senior Engineering Manager, Senior Backend Engineer, and an Android Developer. Senior Engineering Manager: The Senior Engineering Manager will be responsible for managing our engineers across our Cloud, iOS, and Android teams. We seek a seasoned engineering leader who enjoys and has strong, demonstrable experience as a people manager. We would like to see candidates who have experience developing, delivering, and optimizing cloud-based infrastructure solutions for B2C/consumer product experiences. A strong backend engineering background will be key to providing technical guidance and problem-solving support. Senior Backend Engineer: We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join our growing team. As a senior engineer, you’ll take ownership of designing, building, and maintaining scalable, reliable backend systems that power our app with some frontend web development mixed in as well. This role is perfect for a candidate with strong expertise who is ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Android Developer: We are seeking a talented and motivated Mid-Level Android Developer to join our team. In this role, you’ll work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to build and maintain features that enhance our Android app. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex problems and contributing to a high-quality consumer experience. About Libro.fm: Libro.fm is a global, employee-owned Social Purpose Corporation that shares profits from your audiobook purchases with your chosen bookshop, giving you the power to keep money within your local economy. As a Social Purpose Corporation, we keep the long-term interest of booksellers in mind. We put energy into activism and social good, highlight movements we believe in, and amplify systemically excluded voices. As audiobooks play an important role in making reading more widely available, accessibility is a top priority for us."]

Libro.fm had the opportunity to chat with acclaimed author, poet, and painter Percival Everett to discuss his award-winning novel James—the 2024 National Book Award winner and Libro.fm’s Audiobook of the Year! 🏆📖🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://lnkd.in/gcp_P-6s

Help us help We Need Diverse Books provide grants to those in LA impacted by the ongoing wildfires! Authors, illustrators, educators, and publishing professionals across Los Angeles are facing difficult circumstances and in need of financial assistance. WNDB's grants aim to bolster BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled individuals by giving grants between $500 and $1,000 each. Since 2020, they have provided nearly 160 Emergency Grants! From now through the end of February, donate $15 or more to the WNDB Emergency Grant Fund and you'll receive a free Libro.fm audiobook credit. ❗Make sure to select "Emergency Grant" under the "Apply my donation to" drop down when donating. Donate now: https://lnkd.in/gzbBAwUh *The fine print: Donations must be made by 11:59 PM PT on February 28th, 2025. While you can donate more than once, only one audiobook credit will be given per person. Credits will be emailed from Libro.fm between March 5th and 7th, 2025.⁠ __ [ID: Three slides with a blue, pink, and white color scheme. Across the slides, text reads: "LA wildfire: emergency grants. Donate $15 or more to the We Need Diverse Books Emergency Grant Fund and receive a free Libro.fm audiobook credit. WNDB provides emergency grants to diverse authors and illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators who are experiencing dire financial need. Currently, grants are available for those in Los Angeles impacted by the wildfires. From now through the end of February, individuals who contribute directly to the Emergency Grant Fund will receive a free Libro.fm audiobook credit. At the link in bio, make sure to select “Emergency Grant” when donating. Credits will be emailed to donors between March 5th and 7th." On the final slide, there is a screenshot of a donation page, showing individuals to select "Emergency Grant" while donating.]

Local communities need small businesses, like independent bookshops, to thrive. Here’s why shopping small matters: 💵 Small businesses boost local economies: By visiting a local business instead of a big chain store, you’re putting money right back into the hands of the community. A 2019 study from the American Booksellers Association found that approximately 28% of all revenue from bookshops immediately recirculates in the local economy—compared to 17% with Barnes and Noble and less than 4% with Amazon. 💗 Small business are more engaged with community initiatives: 80% of small businesses in the U.S. say that their mission clearly defines a give back component for their local community, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Bookshops, in particular, are an amazing example of how small businesses benefit community morale and engagement. From hosting author events to book clubs to camps for kids and more, they become spaces for people to engage with one another over something they love. 💫 Small businesses create jobs: In 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration released a fact sheet outlining that small businesses have generated 12.9 million jobs in the past 25 years. Over the last several years, we’ve unfortunately seen the closure of many beloved independent bookstores who can’t compete with mega retailers. At Libro.fm, we’re committed to supporting local bookshops and to making it easier for others to do the same. When you use Libro.fm, every audiobook purchase supports the indie of your choice. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gXU8tnBW

Best audiobooks for the new year 📖✨⬇️ Whether you’re hoping to just read more in 2025, planning to join a book club (and actually read the books), or taking care of your mental health, audiobooks make it super easy to dive into new stories. 🎉✨ Incorporating audiobooks into our everyday lives is not just a great way to help meet a variety of new year’s intentions or goals, but to find enjoyment in our daily routines. Here’s what our bookseller partners recommend: 1️⃣ Quarterlife by Satya Doyle Byock, narrated by Satya Doyle Byock “I was told to read this book a few times and am glad I did. I really enjoyed the exploration of a new definition of the period between adolescence and midlife and this divide of stability seekers versus meaning seekers and how the paths converge and differ. I highly recommend this for twenty and thirty somethings who feel a little lost (or as a gift to those who may feel a little stuck/lost in their careers and what their future may look like)” — Kimi L • The Silver Unicorn Bookstore 2️⃣ There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib, narrated by Hanif Abdurraqib “You need not be a basketball aficionado to have your heart profoundly captured by this incredible work of nonfiction. Part cultural commentary and part memoir, Abdurraqib’s writing is poetic and distinct, making you feel like you are watching a cherished friend perform spoken word. Structured like the four quarters of a basketball game, complete with a countdown clock adding urgency that keeps the pages flying.” — Jess P. • Dreamland Books & Yarn 3️⃣ Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore, narrated by Brittany Pressley “Oona Out of Order is the mind- bending, time travelling story of a young woman, Oona Lockhart, who is turning 19 on New Year’s Eve, 1982, only to wake up 32 years in the future as a 19 year old in the body of her 51-year old self. Each year, Oona ages one year internally, but in her altered reality, she bounces around from age to age, not knowing what year of her life will come next. At its heart, Oona Out of Order is about the quest to fully know oneself, the enduring power of love, and the lasting bond of family.” — Jessica • Main Street Books Davidson ▶️ See the full list of recommendations: https://lnkd.in/g4Ja9VBG

What we accomplished this year because of your support 💓 We are incredibly grateful for our bookshop partners, who offer safe spaces and fight to make the world more positive and equitable; and our customers, who show these indies support. As we move into 2025, we need the power of community more than ever. Read the full impact report: https://lnkd.in/gXhCncUi __ [ID: Five slides with a gradient purple and white background. Across the slides, text reads: "With your help Here’s How We Supported Indie Bookshops and Readers in 2024. 2024 by the numbers: 571,264 audiobooks; 3,313 bookshop partners; 102 languages on audio; 34% increase in Spanish language titles; 35% increase in what booksellers made. New features: New membership options, including a two-credit per month plan; Member perks, such as a buy-one-get-one sale; Guest gifting, making it easier to gift audiobooks; Chapter titles for audiobooks; Preorder visibility, now in the Libro.fm app; Siri Voice Commands. Investing in readership: We worked with or made contributions to... Literature for Justice, WNDB, No Name Book Club, Binc, Rainbow Book Bus, The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary. Visibility & audiobooks: SWANA-owned and neurodivergent-owned added to our Bookshop Map; Launched a SWANA author collection; Participated in the Trans Rights Readathon; Donated audiobook credits to support fundraising efforts of bookshops; Made audiobooks on current events free to download; Our book club read Poverty, By America, Slow Down, & The New Jim Crow.] #Readers #Reader #AlwaysReading #ReadersOfInstagram #ReadersOfIG #ReadersOfInsta #BookLoversOfIG #BookLoversOfInstagram #BookLoversOfInsta #Audiobooks