If anyone paid attention to my Literary Autobiography Presentation, they'll know that I love books and reading. So, when I found out my very favorite book store, Borders, was filing for bankruptcy and closing several stores in Ohio and throughout the U.S. I was devastated. I started wondering why Borders was closing: every time I'd been in the two nearest my home, Niles and Mentor, the store was bustling with business. So after thinking about it for about 20 seconds I decided there was a double culprit: poor business management and technology.
I don't know much about running a business so I can't give much of a statement on the business side of things. However, I am an avid consumer of books and the fact that people would rather download a book or buy it online as opposed to actually going to the store makes me sad.
I know it's more convenient to get things off a website and I also know Borders has an online store and even offers eReaders, but still, whatever happened to human interaction? To actually experience the thrill of walking into a bookstore and seeing the thousands of different books, cds, movies, etc. laid out in from of you like a jungle of exciting and tantalizing entertainment and education? What has happened to the excitement of smelling the delicious coffee and pastries from the coffee shop...or the smell of new books? What has happened to interacting with other consumers, readers, sales people, and just other human beings in general? Technology is wonderful. Being able to download a book to your iPad, iPod, eReader, Kindle, etc. is fantastic - but believe me, there is nothing like going to an actual store, walking in and be bombarded with the sights and smells of an actual bookstore. For many people throughout Ohio, going to a Borders bookstore is maybe not impossible but highly inconvenient. What stores will be next? Barnes and Noble, perhaps? Who knows. All I do know is that our society is losing the wonderful experience associated with going to a bookstore to buy your books.
Here are a few articles about various Borders store closings:
The Chicago Sun Times entitled "Borders Store's Closing Saddens Fans"
"Borders: We Will Survive"
Here is a list of the stores that will be closing throughout the U.S.
Also if you love bookstores or the idea of the book stores The Yellow Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee is a fantastic read. Here is a link to an expert and review of the book!
I completely agree with this. It was always a dream of mine to open my own little bookstore once I was financially secure and have it well into retirement years. I wanted to open one in my hometown because there is not good book store close by. Either you have to go to the creepy one in downtown Barberton or drive a half hour to either North Canton or Chapel Hill. However, I always knew that this was a little unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad as well that Borders is downsizing. While I do love the idea of e-books, especially for something like textbooks, I still want the experience of having a physical book. I know e-books are cheaper, but I would rather have the smells and textures of a real book, just like you and many people in our program.
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ReplyDeleteI too enjoy the smell of a good book! I was shocked to see that Borders was closing, but I guess it makes sense with the economy and latest technology trends. I don't buy very many books because I'm too stingy and would rather go to the library and borrow them. So, I'm guilty of buying online. The cheaper a book is, the better for me.
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend asked me if I wanted a kindle for Christmas and I said no. I get so tired of reading things off the computer screen that I don't think I would like to read it off of a little screen. Instead, I would rather have hard copy, so I could flip through the pages. Plus, aren't screens supposed to be making our eyes worse? I would rather save my eyesight and keep reading the old fashion way.
I think this is a really interesting topic: the ereader vs. the actual book. I know a lot of the people in our program are pretty opinionated on this topic and I have to say I'm torn. I used to always think that I could never have an ereader because of the smell and feel of an actual book. However, my boyfriend got me an ereader for Christmas and I tried it out and I haven't noticed any difference in the experience of reading. The books are cheaper online and the experience of reading is the same. I get the same thing out of reading a text in a physical book as I do off my ereader. However, I do like the physical feeling of a book, so I think I'll continue to use books. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are positives and negatives to both formats.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad! My dream has always been to own a cafe/bookstore, so Borders has always been my favorite place to shop. When people ask me what I want for my birthday or Christmas, I always tell them a gift card to Borders. I could spend countless hours drinking coffee and browsing for books. Though I have no extra time to read, I continue to fill my book shelves with book that look interesting. I really hope that the Borders in Niles doesn't close down, it's the closest one to me!!
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