With cooperation giants like Thalia and Amazon, small, independent bookstores often find themselves at the breadline nowadays. It should be more important than ever to keep the market diversified. This was the goal I was following with my work during one of my university courses.

The map spans the centre of my hometown Mönchengladbach, where – during my research – I sadly had to discover how little independent bookstores remain today. The map wishes to showcase how easy it is, to take a few steps from Thalia on the main street, to support another bookstore that provide you with any book just as well, and can use all the support they can get. The map's other side further offers more information on how readers can make a difference with how and where they shop for their books. 

I added a colourful zine which thematizes the magic of working with books and reading itself. All quotes come from interviews I held with the owners of the bookstores in Mönchengladbach, which were very impactful and eye-opening for me. Thalia on the other hand actively refused to talk with me, when I asked them for an interview.