I saw something very sad the other day. I was out and about, heading to the grocery store (another necessary evil like doing the laundry), when I saw a big orange and black sign on the Waldenbooks & More at the corner. They were closing, shutting down.
It wasn’t a big store. Actually, small compared to the stores Waldenbooks had at the mall, but it was a good store .The staff was friendly and helpful (and knew me by name). It saddened me in ways I can’t describe. I’d spent many happy hours in that store, browsing through the shelves, picking and choosing the books I wanted to read (and dropping a pretty penny in the process—thank goodness for mad money!).
It made me question what happened to our brick and mortar bookstores and made me realize how the readers’ (and writers’) world is changing. Do people just not have the time to browse through the stacks and read like they used to? Or do they still read like crazy and it’s just so much easier to order from Amazon (or any of the other places one can order books)? What about e-books? So many people have a Kindle or a Nook or one of the many other e-readers available. Instant gratification! A few clicks on your computer or e-reader and the book is yours (and you don’t have to get out of your pajamas!)
I will miss that Waldenbooks & More at the corner, but thankfully, there’s a Barnes and Noble not too far from me and I can get a cup of coffee there too! Do you still go to a brick & mortar book store to buy your books?
Happy Reading!
Marie
To be honest, I was grateful when Amazon showed up. When I walked into a brick and mortar store I generally walked out with a busted budget. With Amazon, I'm able to have a wish list and when I have a little extra money I buy only as much as I have. That being said, there is something about seeing those rows and rows of books.... If I had more money to spend, I'd love to go back to shopping at a bookstore.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Judy. When you see all those wonderful romances displayed on the shelves in a book store, it's so hard not to buy out the store! Amazon is good in that you can search for the book you want and they only give you 4 or 5 suggestions for others you would like :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Marie on this one; I love the physical book stores. The Waldens I used to go to closed a couple years ago, yet Barnes and Noble is right down the road.
ReplyDeleteMom and I make a plan to seek out titles about once a month. I love the slow paced atmosphere and the quick Starbucks coffee available. Although, B&N is taking up space with games and such, which causes the selection of books to dwindle. I personally think the selection should widen to keep people interested.
And I do order on line and find it very convenient. One other thing I noticed during discussions with many over the holidays, readers like the Kindle/Nook, yet many still like a tangible book. Especially if they stare at a screen all day for work.
That said, I want book stores to stay and Kindles are a great alternative so everyone can be happy...just like in a romance!
Judy, Alexis and Dawn,
ReplyDeleteOh, I've dropped a pretty penny in the bookstore (then had to figure out how to get the books in the house without anyone noticing, i.e. husband). For me though, books are a great investment. I reread, lend out, donate, etc. so spending the money isn't a problem. I have yet to get a Kindle or Nook (that's sometime in the near future), but there is something to be said about holding a book in your hand, which I still prefer. Like many others, I stare at a computer screen all day (actually, I use two monitors at work...talk about eyestrain!)so being able to sit and hold a book in your hand in wonderful. I hope book store stores stay around, too!
Happy reading, everyone!