Musing Mondays asks us this question this week:
***Do YOU like the changes that have come to bookselling in the last several decades? Do you shop online? Do you prefer big chain stores, or do you prefer small, independent shops? Why?
I do like the changes that have come to bookselling just because I think that reading has become so much more popular now. Whether it be for kids, teen, or adults-everyone is being encouraged to read and experience how wonderful books are.
I love the options out there now. Back when I was in even in my twenties all you could do was go to the bookstore and back then we didn’t have a lot of them. Now, we’ve got big bookstores scattered all over the city and a lot of them. We have only a few independent bookstores and I don’t frequent them mainly because they’re located in our downtown area and that’s not my favorite place to go. I did have a favorite one that was located at a mall by my house but unfortunately they are closing down in favor of the big bookstore across the street and I’m really disappointed by that because although they were smaller I could always find what I wanted or they’d get it for me and also the people who worked there were wonderful-they’d always stop to talk or help you pick a book if you were looking for something new. We don’t get that in our bigger bookstores.
That being said I do shop online because it’s cheaper. I do however still love to go to the bookstore for the sake of going and seeing all the books and just being there. Sometimes I’ll buy something but more likely I note what it is and buy it online unless they’re having a good sale. There isn’t anything that takes the place of walking into a bookstore and looking around and seeing all those beautiful books surrounding you-I love it.
So, what about all of you-what do you think of the changes that have come about with bookselling-do you prefer shopping online or do you have a favorite little bookstore or big chain that you frequent? Stop by, drop me a line, and let me know…
I agree – the options are so much better in terms of books now!
For the same reason as you–I often shop online. However, I can spend hours inside a bookstore just wandering around and picking up whatever catches my eye. Don’t you love the smell of new books? 🙂
I love the availability of bookstores nowadays. I remember growing up, there was MAYBE one book store in my town. Now there are 3 or 4. I like the availability of books at these stores.
However, I do miss the closeness of the independent book stores. Stores where the owners know me, and can recommend a book based on purchases I have made in the past.
I do have a local used bookstore, but the local independent stores have all but disappeared, at least where I am located.
I’ve been buying books since I was a student in elementary school. Few days were more exciting than the day I’d walk in to the classroom and find my order from Scholastic books had arrived. That prepared me for more recent exciting days when the mail carrier or the UPS person brings my orders to the door! I love to spend time in bookstores – the large chains or the local stores. I’ll buy used books, as well. I also give gift cards to the nieces and nephews for birthdays, Christmas, etc. That’s me, I’m a book lover :~)
I didn’t read much 10 years ago, so I am not sure how the environment was back in the day. But nowadays I find that I use all avenues to get books. I love Powells (local bookstore) because I can always find new books that I didn’t know about. Plus, it’s four stories tall. Being able to look at a book and read the first few pages helps me decide if I want to buy it or not. If I know what I want and plan on buying a couple books, I find that you can’t beat Amazon. But there are sometimes where I need to order a book online through a small press.
I do agree. I love the options!
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to go to the bookstore just for the sake of going. Sometimes I take my own book and read there. Buy a chai tea at their cafe and just enjoy the atmosphere while the Teens look for their books. Last Spring semester I found I got more writing done at the bookstore so I would plan trips there with my laptop. Borders is our favorite bookstore however someone told me they were being bought out by B&N. That will be a same. B&N is OK in our area but Border's discount coupons are free and B&N's you have to pay a membership fee.
Sorry long comment.
I use the internet for books all the time! I belong to Paper back swap and Book mooch, I also order from Amazon and Bookcloseouts.com. Even looking up books at the library is easier, I sit at home and use the internet to find the book, request it and go get it. Love it!
For me, I love browsing book stores especially the unique and independently owned stores. I also like the bigger bookstores as well as they have more selection and sales. I do like browsing online as well as I can read reviews and prices are usually better. I have mixed feelings as I am concerned that all of the wonderful independent bookstores won’t survive if we don’t support them.
Swapna & J.Kaye, we certainly are spoiled with all our options now but I love it.
Laura, every time I get a new book I pick it up and run my hands over the smooth cover and pick it up and open it up and have a good sniff. Nothing better!
Jenn, that's exactly how I feel. At the bookstore that's closing I could walk in and they knew me-I'm really going to miss that.
Mary, I love the postal truck! It always means something good-books! Oh my goodness-gift cards. That's all I ask for at Christmas and I buy them as gifts. For me, it's one of the best presents I can get.
Book Pirate, you're right. You can't beat an actual bookstore for being able to pick up a book and read the first few pages or even browse through it a bit-that's prompted me to buy a book many times. Now a four story bookstore sounds really awesome to me!
I love long comments Bree. I find it hard to concentrate on reading at the bookstore only because I'm too busy people watching but I know what you're saying-it's the whole atmosphere of the place.
Yes Wendy, the internet has made it so much easier to get books. What I like is that I can call up a book I want and see that the bookstore has it before I make the trip there.
You're right Bonnie, the independent bookstores do have a harder time of it. I think the ones here do ok because of their location in our downtown area. All of our big chains operate in the other areas-none are downtown.
Thanks everyone for stopping by!
I love online shopping, but for books I love to feel them in my hands, feel the textures of their pages and smell the paper. The cover images are brighter in person than they are online.
That’s true Serena, you can’t tell if a book has those cool pages that I like unless you actually have it in your hands. As for the covers I agree. We do lose a lot viewing online compared to the actual experience of shopping for a book.