Thursday, April 2, 2009

My Love Affair...

with bookstores.

I walked into Borders today, the first time I've been in a bookstore in awhile, and it was WONDERFUL. There's something about being surrounded by all kinds of stories and books that I just love.

I try to stay away from bookstores - because I tend to be an impulse book-buyer - but I was buying some children's books for a baby shower gift, and I couldn't just walk in, get the books, and leave. Never!

As I always do, I wandered around the aisles, thumbing through books, reading back covers and inside flaps. And, again, as I always do, I went to the "S" literature section and opened a space for where my book will one day be. Yeah, dorky. But it's visualization! And definitely motivational.

Do you still shop in bookstores, or just to stick to online book-buying? Are you an impulse book-buyer like me? (Granted, today, I majorly restrained myself and only bought what I came for!) What do you love about bookstores?

5 comments:

42pennies said...

You know that quote from Erasmus: "When I get a little money, I buy books. If there is any left, I buy food and clothes". That just about sums it up.

The one thing I feel compelled to add is that I heartily "encourage" (in quotes because it's kinda euphemistic, it's more like a vigorous and guilt-inducing rant, but we don't know one another, so you're getting the tempered version) everyone I know--and everyone I don't know--to patronize independent bookstores rather than the big chains.

Now, I'm not perfect. I've bought from Amazon (gasp) and Barnes and Noble (aaugh) and Borders (yikes). But recently, I've been reminding myself more vigorously of the critical importance of independent booksellers. Great article on it here:

http://www.slate.com/id/2141725/

I'm lucky to have a couple great ones near me. Not everyone does anymore, which is sad, but a natural outgrowth of our shopping habits. And I still have to remind myself to choose values over convenience.

So, yeah, I LOVE bookstores. And books. And people who love bookstores and books. So...nice to meet you.

Robin
http://hereswhatidontget.blogspot.com

Andi said...

I have to stay away from bookstore because I can't resist buying! There are so many books I want to read and the list just keeps getting longer and longer!

Cody said...

I spend way, way too much money at bookstores. I like stores better, since I can browse for hours... but, I tend to buy from Amazon more often.

Honestly, I hate that I go for corporate stores most of the time. There is a lovely IndieBound shop just down the street that has most of what I'm looking for... but, the prices at Amazon... guh.

Cindy R. Wilson said...

I love, love, love bookstores! I could spend all afternoon in one, though that's probably because I tend to make myself stay away so I don't buy too much. I went into Barnes and Noble the other week, however, and found all sorts of fiction I was interested in on the bargain shelves. Those are the best. I buy on-line sometimes, for convenience, but I shop in stores for the fun.

Liz S said...

So much bookstore love! I love it!

Robin: I hear ya about buying from independent bookstores. When I can, I go there first, but when it comes to selection and price, I inevitably end up at one of the bigger bookstores (or Amazon). If you've never been, and you're in Chicago, check out After-Words; it's a GREAT independent bookstore with a great selection! It's nice to meet you too!

Andi: I can't even keep track of my reading/book list anymore... it's grown too long =0

Cody: Amazon prices? Yeah. Love Bookstores, but love books at $2, $3 a pop, too.

Cindy: My time in bookstores definitely increases when I can get a chai tea latte - then I'll browse the store for hours!

Thank you everyone, for stopping by!