Bye, Bye Bookstores? by lisabell

Bye, Bye Bookstores?

To say I love books is an understatement. This stack of books is waiting patiently for me to get around to reading them. Most of them I’ve gotten through trading books I’ve already read on swap.com. Today I was listening to NPR and the discussion was about the disappearance of brick and mortar bookstores. I love technology, and yes, I have a Kindle, but I also love perusing the bookstore and picking up the books and flipping through them. I love the smell of the pages in a book when you open it. And some books are so good, I like to keep them on my bookshelf where I can admire them. These things can’t be experienced with an e-book. And examining a book on Amazon has its limitations. I really hope we find a compromise between technology and the neighborhood bookstore. There’s room in the world for both.
So true. I don't have a Kindle (yet) but I just love the touch and feel of books. I think my "patient" stack might be just as high as yours! This picture is very encouraging to me- and the thoughts were well said.
February 16th, 2011  
@olivetreeann Thanks. I like my Kindle okay, but I never know exactly where I am in my book and when I want to go back to reference something, it’s difficult to navigate. I also like counting how many pages I have left in a chapter to gauge if I have enough time to finish it or should come back later. And when I swap books I only pay postage. Kindle books cost a lot more than that.
February 16th, 2011  
I think a real book lover is a traditionalist, and has the hardcopies adorning the wall on shelves.

Not a big Kindle fan. Just another computer thing to ruin our eyes.
February 16th, 2011  
No Kindle here. I read an average of forty books a year and up until I retired I bought paperbacks exclusively, only because of the cost. Once retired I switched to reading hardcover books, but not through purchases. I am now a proud member of our local library. These institutions are attempting to change with the times but are also in danger of becoming a thing of the past. I love books and used to have shelves and shelves filled, but have donated many to libraries, hospitals, and nursing homes. A book in my hands is something I will not surrender to the idea of an ebook. I need to be able to slip my bookmark in between the pages, to look back at a previous page or chapter, to flip to the back cover to see a blurb or two about the book, and to just enjoy seeing the book on the end table just calling to me to pick it up.
February 16th, 2011  
I agree with you ~ well said!!!. .. I have a nook and love it. . (allows library rentals and has a page count :) ) but there are just times when I need to hold a book. .. I tend to switch back and forth between the two, I could spend hours in a bookstore just going through the titles, it isn't the same flipping through a website. I just don't feel right without a couple of books by my bed :)
February 16th, 2011  
Oh, I do agree. I enjoy my Kindle. It has it's time and place, but I get to missing the weight, the smell, the feel of a book in my hands.
February 16th, 2011  
I used to read before 365 came along....
February 16th, 2011  
@bobfoto Used to read, used to clean my house, used to cook dinner for the family, . . . .
February 16th, 2011  
@lisjam1 - LOL! :D
February 16th, 2011  
what's Kitchen Confidential like? I've been thinking about buying some Bourdain books...
February 16th, 2011  
@bobfoto I apparently lied in my narrative. I actually have read Kitchen Confidential. It's supposed to be about the behind-the-scenes workings of restaurant kitchens. It is to some extent, but it's a lot about Anthony Bourdain's alcohol and drug infused lifestyle. I lost interest toward the end although I did find parts of it intriguing.
February 16th, 2011  
@rayswrld Yes, we can't forget about the libraries. I don't utilize mine as much as I should. I used to use it lot when the kids were small, and we constantly needed more children's books to read. Did you see Borders filed bankruptcy today? So sad.
February 16th, 2011  
@lisjam1 yes I did see Borders filed, right after I got home from purchasing a book there. I guess my small sale didn't help.
February 16th, 2011  
Uh-oh I'd better use the gift certificate I got for Christmas real quick!
February 16th, 2011  
I agree, there is something about holding the book in your hand! I love this picture, my passion as well!
February 17th, 2011  
@lisjam1 - thanks for the book report Lisabell... I will keep it in mind when I get the bottom of my book pile!
February 17th, 2011  
great pile 'o books! I have book in just about every nook and cranny of my house...I'm a Kindle owner and audiobook listener, but I still love my books.
February 19th, 2011  
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