There's a flurry of activity going on at Bronx River Books in Scarsdale.

"This is our busy season, the busiest of the year," said one employee.

Books are flying off the shelves and customers are getting expert help in making their last-minute choices for Hanukkah, which ends on Monday, and Christmas, which arrives on Thursday.

Bookseller Ellen Mollerus says the customer experience there surpasses anything you can get online or at a big chain store.

"You can come in and talk to a bookseller about what you like to read, which is something you can't do as easily if you're buying from Amazon or a big chain like Barnes & Noble. I think that's what makes shopping small special," she said.