Are independent bookstores worth fighting for?

On today's show Jian talked to Farhad Manjoo of Slate.com who argues that -- loved as they are by some -- independent bookstores are "inefficient and outdated." He says they are mistakenly mythologized by the literary set and suggests that much maligned retail giant Amazon.com is, in reality, better at promoting book culture.

Joanne Saul, owner of Type Books in Toronto, disagrees. She believes bookstores are essential community hubs that offer a unique experience to book lovers.

What do you think? Are independent booksellers a vital part of our books culture? Or are they inefficient institutions whose time has come?