While we shopped, we decided to browse the book store. SIS Barb went one direction while I followed Drama and Comedy to the children's section. I loved watching which books caught their eye. They would grab a book off the shelf and flip through it the same way I do when shopping for a book. Comedy suggested we plop down on the floor to take a better look at the super-hero book he had found, so we did.
As we were making our way to the exit, SIS Barb expressed how although she knows they will be a thing of the past, she would love to own a book store. I agreed that it would be much fun.
But wait....a thing of the past? Really? I hate to admit it, but she's probably right. How very sad.
I can't imagine that browsing for a book on a Kindle or Nook or various other e-readers could be nearly as enjoyable as walking into a book store, smelling the unique scent of paper, ink, coffee and pastries all mixed together and seeing the rows and stacks of books everywhere you look.
The discount table, the Best-Seller table and the Just-released table can't possibly look the same on a screen. How can you stroll up and down the aisles touching each book until your hand reaches one that has somehow intrigued you on a Kindle? How can you shop for books with your niece and nephew at the same time on a Nook?
While I know that the e-readers are convenient and hip, it saddens me to think that book stores, as we know them, probably will be a thing of the past. I'm sure they won't be gone altogether, but they won't be the same either.
What do you love most about your visits to the book store?
SIS Bren
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6 comments:
Brenda,
Great post! I think the thing that I like the most is the sheer number and variety of books and the sense of discovery when you find something new and exciting. Plus most book stores also have some non-book items, so it's almost like Christmas except you don't get to take -all- the presents home. Like you, I also like the sights, sounds and smells of a book store, and people watching can be fun, too.
Bookstores are pretty overwhelming for me. I have a very hard time enjoying them. There is too many choices for me. I look for a little while and think I have one picked out. Then, I second guess myself because I start thinking about the other million shelves I didn't check out. What if there is a better book that I am passing up? My crazy brain goes haywire, I get frustrated, and end up leaving with nothing. I'd probably do the same thing with ebooks.
I do better buying books from grocery stores and such. Although the options are much more limited, my ADD doesn't start acting up :)
Bren,
This is one of my favorite posts. I, too, enjoyed our outing and since have had book stores on my mind. I know just how I'll decorate it and what kind of coffee I'll offer and the music that I'll pipe through the system. I can see and smell it all. Book stores are my favorite place to be and that's saying a lot considering how much I love coffee shops!
But I must admit...I own a Kindle and do enjoy reading from one. I miss some of the book covers and get my fix by buying print books of my favorite authors or a series I already started. The reasons I wanted a Kindle was to save on space (I don't give my books away) and the cost is less per book.
As a writer, I long to see my book on the shelves, but I understand that things are changing and that may never happen. I may have to settle for seeing my book online. I'm sure I'll find a way to enjoy that!
This is going to sound crazy, but I tend to avoid bookstores these days. If I don't see 'my' books on the shelves, I worry why. Did they only order two copies and not restock? Did they order any copies at all?
Or maybe they have one copy of one of my books but no backlist whatsoever. That bums me out too. And THEN the real topper. I look around at the bazillion titles on the shelves and realize what a tiny fish in the sea I am. So many choices of wonderful reads, why would someone choose me? That's if they could even find me.
Told you it's crazy. Because there are of course wonderful spins on these scenarios. Positive spins. Logically I know that. But when I'm in the midst of all those books in a store, I start feeling overwhelmed.... and then depressed. I've leanred that it's better not to put myself in that situation.
On the other hand, I don't feel overwhelmed at all when surfing/shopping Amazon or Barnes and Noble on line. I acually love shopping for my Kindle and find that I buy more books than ever before. I never thought I'd enjoy reading on an electronice device, but I am addicted to that darn Kindle.
One last note, times are indeed changing and I have decided I don't care if people read my books electronically or in print.... as long as they read them!
Timely post, by the way, Bren. For more on the subject check out JA Konrath's recent post.
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/08/changing-face-of-publishing.html
SIS Beth
I love the smell. I love the view of thousands of books line up in a colorful line. I love books.
Yah, bookstores are having to diversify so much to stay in business. I don't think they'll totally disappear in my lifetime, there may be less copies of a book on the display, and those on display maybe trade sized paperbacks, and a machine nearby to print the book you want--much like netflix--but I think they'll be around for awhile yet.
I hope bookstores never disappear! I have a Nook but I still prefer having a book in hand. I love going in and seeing the shelves filled with colorful books! I get a rush just going down each aisle. And whatever store decided to put in comfy chairs so you can sit and read and drink coffee at the same time was a genius!!!! I have over 1100 books in my personal collection at home with a little sitting area where I read -- it is almost like my own little bookstore. I am addicted and proud to admit it!!
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