It looks like I'm touching on the subject of independent books and booksellers just in time, as reader Mount Vernon just asked us where to get books that isn't Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Just yesterday, I received an e-mail from IndieBound.org, a site that was founded by the American Booksellers Association to bring independent, local retailers and customers together. And it looks like IndieBound is jumping on the iTunes application bandwagon.

This application is just plain wonderful.

There are three basic functions: a book search, a store finder and a collection of indie bestsellers and notable books.

The book search allows you to find books by author, title or the ISBN. I started a search for local first-time author Erika Robuck, and Receive Me Falling immediately popped up, showing the cover art, publication information and even where I could buy the book both online and in store. This function alone makes the free application worth downloading.

The store finder will pick up your location automatically and then list the indie book stores near you, and even not-so-near you. Toward the end of the search, Vertigo Books in College Park was included. 

Oh, but what if you're in the mood for a cup of coffee? Simply change the type of store you're searching for to "coffee shop" and you'll be directed to the independently owned coffee shops in your area.

Finally, there's the comprehensive catalog of lists. You can easily find this month's notables and great reads, as well as the bestsellers of the day in fiction, nonfiction and children's categories. There's a Top 10 poetry next list, and even a few recommendations for upcoming reads, including graphic novels, debut books, memoirs and mysteries.

And if you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch? There's still the all-inclusive IndieBound Web site to peruse. So go show your local indie book store some love, people!