I love bookstores, especially ones with reading chairs or coffee shops. They are my favorite hang-out places. I enjoy browsing for books. The print size, white space, feel of the paper, how the book lies flat, cover -- it all makes a difference to me. I am enamored of certain editions and publishers.
I do not want to read an entire anything on a lighted screen. No. I want to sink into the smell of paper and ink with vellum pages under my fingers, wrapped in a soft blanket with steaming tea nearby. Sometimes I run my hand over the page, just stroking it and the slightly raised ink letters. Ah, luxury. What a time I live in.
I want all my books to be physical books. I buy from bookstores, shop sales at bookstores, and let myself be surprised. While I do purchase online occasionally, I've never bought a single book at Walmart or Target, even though I shop there. They rarely have anything in print which I want.
I relish used bookstores, as well. That's because I like old books and classics. I can't always get what I want at a chain.
I want all my books to be physical books. I buy from bookstores, shop sales at bookstores, and let myself be surprised. While I do purchase online occasionally, I've never bought a single book at Walmart or Target, even though I shop there. They rarely have anything in print which I want.
I relish used bookstores, as well. That's because I like old books and classics. I can't always get what I want at a chain.
I'm not much of a current bestseller reader. As a writer, I probably should be more aware of the latest trends. I know I should. But then I walk into a store, and a classic or Pulitzer Prize Winner falls into my hands again and goes home with me like an irresistible stray kitten.
Several weeks ago, I discovered my book on Creative Journal Writing at a Barnes and Noble. I didn't know it existed before I walked down that aisle. Just last weekend, I brought home a large edition of Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes from a used bookstore in a vintage downtown shop. His book won the Pulitzer in biography. The writing is stunning. It's my next reading project. I can't help myself.
Several weeks ago, I discovered my book on Creative Journal Writing at a Barnes and Noble. I didn't know it existed before I walked down that aisle. Just last weekend, I brought home a large edition of Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes from a used bookstore in a vintage downtown shop. His book won the Pulitzer in biography. The writing is stunning. It's my next reading project. I can't help myself.
There was a Borders near us in Eastern Pennsylvania two years ago with a nice little coffee shop. Days when I thought I couldn't stand my life anymore, I ran away to it. I could sit in the plush reading chair at the window with my coffee and my new finds and explore the universe. It was my sweet spot, my very own. That's where I uncovered Lauren Winner's Girl Meets God and Dallas Willlard's Divine Conspiracy.
Books have changed my life -- especially the ones I've discovered in bookstores. When I scan rows of unknown volumes and sale tables, I'm gazing at uncharted territory. I become what I read.
Shall I have to live in a world without bookstores? I hope not. I would miss the me I could be.
How do you feel about Borders' closing? Do you shop at bookstores at all? Are you a Kindle reader? What do you read?
(This post started as my comment at Tana Adams: Quick Question Friday. I loved her idea. Imitation is flattery. Thanks, Tana!)
(This post started as my comment at Tana Adams: Quick Question Friday. I loved her idea. Imitation is flattery. Thanks, Tana!)
20 comments:
Borders just closed three of its stores in St. Louis. The one closest to my house stayed open, though, as did the one closest to where I work.
I love bookstores - but I have to admit I buy most of my books online. One of my favorite bookshops is Big Sleep books, a mystery bookstore in St. Louis. It has managed to hang in there. So far.
I also love bookstores of all kinds and I am part owner of a large Christian bookstore in Nashville. It terrifies and saddens me to watch these wonderful stores close. Often I would leave our store and stop by Borders or Davis Kidd (closed in December) on my way home. There is nothing like the smell and the feel of a book. Thank goodness a Books-a-million has opened not far from our house. The new "readers" will be a huge challenge for those of us who have stores. The internet has taken many of our Christian bookstores out already. We must continue to stress the support of local businesses, especially our bookstores. Thank you for this post!
We don't have a Borders near us, but it does say something about the book economy if it is closing. Sad. :O(
Cassandra, I hate to hear about all these closings....I really can't imagine a world without bookstores, they have always been my safe haven, comfort place, favorite place to spend a Sunday afternoon. People have been telling me to get a Kindle, but I like you, just love the feel of the page, to hear the scrape of wooden chair legs on tables as I settle in with my coffee... AH :-) Everytime I travel, my favorite thing to do is check out the local bookstore! I hate to think my favorite B and N will be next! Maybe the closing of some of these chains will bring back the little independant bookstores??
btw, I love the Lauren Winner book! I also discovered it while browsing shelves....Lori
Glynn,
I guess some Borders stores stay open even though they are bankrupt? Okay! (scratching my head)
Julie,
I'd love to see your bookstore!
Diane,
I want everyone who reads these comments to know you have a book giveaway week. Yay!
Lori,
You are a woman after my own heart.
One of our favorite spots is the Barnes & Noble that has a coffee-shop ... because we can sit in comfy, cozy chairs, with cups of coffee, looking through stacks and stacks of wonderful books that we might or might not buy, might or might not find anyplace else ... To us, bookstores like that are fun, romantic & memorable ~ since we've enjoyed bookstores on many dates, had great times & been inspired by the books we've found ...
Every time I walk into our local B & N, doubts of its remaining plague my thoughts ... "how long will it be here?" ... and then I am sad because the trend seems dismal.
I won't say a kindle or nook isn't in my future, but I'd rather have my bookshelves filled and those lazy afternoon escapes into bookworld than some little gadget that won't deliver in the same way a real book delivers; I mean, David Copperfield or Dombey & Son just won't be the same if they are thin-lined and not heavy enough to break my toe perchance it is dropped from my book-laden arms.
We don't have a Borders in our town, but every time a bookstore closes it's cause for sadness. The economy is hurting so many people that also makes me sad. This is the time when we need more books!
It is a sad sad day to hear that Borders are in trouble. I am still trying to figure if they are closing. They have some of the most beautiful stores in SFO and LA, which is a must stop location for my visits. Sigh. Thanks for writing this!
Forgot to mention I have two kindles but I still read actual books by the loads and buy them every month. There is no substitute for the tree smell!
I have this fantasy where I'm given a $5000 credit card and can only spend it on books or magazines (like What Not to Wear). I would have SOOO much fun in Barnes & Noble!!
Yes, I'm sad Borders is closing. When we lived in Virginia, I would go once a week, have a coffee, and work on my novel. Good memories.
I really wish people would buy more books. I think it would solve a lot more than publishers fiscal problems.
I LOVE Borders and feel incredibly sad about them closing.
I just stopped by today. I had to pick up a Spanish-English dictionary for my son and of course, I took in my L-O-N-G wish list of books, giving myself permission to purchase one. I was so sad, though, when every single book I searched for was "not in store" but was readily available on e-reader. Sigh. I think e-readers are probably great for travelling, but other than that, give me a real paper-and-ink book.
If I had time, I could rush over to the local Borders that is closing and buy a bunch of books at a discount. But that would not simplify my life today nor in the future. I'd have to store more books, and I already have so many that I don't know how to store them all.
Which brings me to my answer to your question: I LOVE physical books. But some books, the few that are more popular that I will probably only read once, could be read on some kind of Kindle type device (I don't own one, though I have something on my fancy new phone that I'm only barely experimenting with).
But any book I want to keep and return to, I want it to be a physical book.
Plus, the books on bookshelves provide a layer of insulation in my living room. :)
It's sad to hear of any bookstores closing. We had a little bookstore nearby where local authors did book signings and it sadly closed last summer. I can't seem to bring myself to buy a Kindle or a Nook.
Ann
It seems surreal to me that all of our favourite bookstores are closing and I have no doubt that in the UK, it is because Amazon sells most books for 20-50% off. South African bookstores are still thriving, I noticed and that is because there is no cheaper alternative. It is ironic when books in UK cost less than the price of two beers, two cups of tea or a small lunch and yet our beautiful bookstores are going under.
Is Borders the first major bookchain to go under in the USA?
Love, love, love the feel and smell of books. But I did get a Kindle for Christmas. And I've been stocking up on free books. So much easier to carry in the car that a stack of books, and I find it easier to read in bed and in the sun.
P.S. My son always gives me B&N coupons for Christmas. They don't last long.
I love bookstores too! Recently I had a conversation with a local bookstore owner about the publishing/book selling industry. It doesn't look good for long-term success. He commented that he was glad he started in the business 20-30 years ago, rather than now. He can't compete on price with Amazon and while I want to shop local, I have to stay within a certain budget. It's a Catch 22.
I'm afraid the entire bookstore ecosystem is in danger, but I'm not sure there's a good fix.
I love book stores.
Can't say that enough.
But I also love my nook ereader.
And sometimes, in the wee hours of the night, I feel guilty because I love my ereader.
Will my kids even know what a real book is?
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