I'm sure everyone knows that Borders is filing for bankruptcy and closing 1/3rd of its stores, including the beautiful one in my town's downtown. What have you heard about this? What are your thoughts? Is this something that will affect the future of the story?
Alicia
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There is something magical about walking into a bookstore that you just can't get via the Internet. being able to hold a book in your hands rather than reading on a screen. That takes the magic of the story away, for me, anyway. Is it going to be the same of an evening when we sit down with our children, or grandchild in my case, and you open the pages of a storybook... Or taking them to the bookstore and looking through pages. How do children's books look on Kindle or any other reader? I don't know since I don't ahve one. All I know is, the more bookstores which close, the less the magic is there as a whole.
Sue Curnow
Anytime a major distribution channel shrinks like this, it's bad news. It will have an effect on everyone, but how much of an effect is anyone's guess. They really did need to get out from under some bad leases, though.
T
Hopefully they will tighten their way of doing business, better address the new waves in publishing, and survive.
This saddens me as well. My daughters and I have greatly enjoyed our trips to the local Borders over the years. I'm fortunate in that I didn't find our closest store on the list.
I don't yet have an e reader -- I can't bring myself to do it. I've bought two books which I've read on my laptop, and I have not enjoyed the experience nearly as much.
And of course these closures will significantly reduce the number of paper books sold, which will affect the willingness of publishers to sign/offer money to authors. We'll have to see how it all plays out. I remain hopeful that a balance will be found.
While I own an ereader, I still frequent two different Borders pretty often. Luckily, neither of those Borders are going to close, even with a Barnes & Noble being within a block of one of them.
What makes me sad is that the Borders that I used to go to when I was at Purdue is shutting down. It was the only non-textbook bookstore within walking distance of campus. It was never very crowded, but it was so convenient being able to walk down to the bookstore on an afternoon and pick up something new to read.
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T
Oh, those Purdue fans. ;)
That "Flash Foresight" book mentions the convergence of stores (like gas stations and grocery) as a feature of the future. What if bookstores were more "literary entertainment environments?" You know, with a coffeehouse, and lectures and group meetings and classes and all that? I know some are already doing a lot of that, but maybe the store dedicated only to selling books is obsolete.
Libraries dedicated only to lending books-- that's obsolete, at least around here. The local branch has a coffeehouse, many many computers (essential to people who don't own their own computer or are from out of town), courses in all sorts of subjects, musical performances, films.... The one near me is busier than ever, and yes, I still go there to borrow books.
I haven't set foot in a Borders for a long time, however. I really do buy all my books online now. I don't do that wonderful browsing I used to do. But "one-click purchasing" is my downfall.
Alicia
But "one-click purchasing" is my downfall.
I'd be broke...
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