Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, says independent bookstores are increasing even though many people assume they are declining. She describes how she frequently hears sympathy from strangers—people tell her they feel sorry for her job because they believe independent bookstores are dying out. According to the accounts, Hill uses these conversations to highlight a gap between public perception and the current state of the independent bookstore sector. While the stories focus on the misconception that independent bookstores are disappearing, they present Hill as pointing to growth and momentum within the industry. The reports frame her comments as evidence that independent bookstores are not fading away as many expect, though the specific figures or regional breakdowns are not detailed in the provided summaries. Overall, the coverage centers on the contrast between what people believe about independent retail bookselling and what the American Booksellers Association’s leadership says about recent trends.