It’s never been a big chain.

I first encountered it visiting my sister and later working in Delaware. There are only four Atlantic Books left – two of them being the ones I know. The store in Dover, Delaware and the store in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I bought Gao Xingjian’s One Man’s Bible from the Dover branch, but I have more memories of the Rehoboth one.

When visiting my sister in summer, you go down to the Boardwalk and right there is the bookstore. You can browse a not great but surprisingly good selection and pick up an inexpensive book there. I’m never comfortable living far from a bookstore and Atlantic Books assuaged that need over there.

At least indie bookshops appear to be doing well this holiday season.