From Book2Book:

In Praise Of Independent Bookshops
Thursday 22 Oct 2009
When I do buy books, though, I like to try and do it from an independent. Yes, it's more expensive as you usually pay full price but I find the experience quite edifying, mainly for the fact that it feels like everyone else in the transaction is getting maximum benefit: writer, publisher and, of course and perhaps most importantly, the bookseller.

Penguin Blog
The Reading Spa