MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - How Barnes & Noble Came Back From Near Dead

haertig · 02-15-2023, 10:14 PM

We have a large B&N near me. I haven't been there in years. I need to go back. This thread has motivated me.

I remember when the kids were young, we always had a great time going there as a family. We had a standing offer for the kids - "We won't always buy you a toy, a video, or things like that, but we will always buy you books that you want." So we'd walk into that B&N store and their faces would just light up. The family would disperse on our own individual searches and meet up again in an hour or so to decide if the adventure was wrapping up or if it should continue for another hour before regrouping. Sometimes we'd run into each other in the store and say "hi!" in passing, before continuing on with our personal quests. The agreed upon "You want it, you can have it" rule (as long as it's a book) brought a sense of freedom and fun to everybody in the family.

Now that the kids are grown and moved out

I don't go on these adventures anymore. I mostly get ebooks now, and most of them come from the library. Sitting at your computer doing searches is quite boring compared to the old days. Instant gratification to get the book. But no excited anticipation of the family bookstore trip.

I just went into The Boulder Bookstore last week for my first book signing. By my favorite author. And I was immediately thrown back into earlier years at the sights. I'm not kidding, it was actually thrilling and awe inspiring for me to see all the books on display. I was like a kid again myself. Because the book signing was my goal for the night, I did not do as much looking around and shopping as I would have liked. But I want to go back there. I just need to schedule a few hours to wander.

I think it's the bookstore experience that I like more so than paper books. I do like paper books, just staring at them even, but digital ones are more convenient and practical. Just being at a bookstore is so peaceful for me. It makes me feel happy. I had totally forgotten how great a bookstore is, but re-experienced the wonder at that book signing last Friday.

02-15-2023, 10:14 PM	#48
haertig Wizard Posts: 1,915 Karma: 32620480 Join Date: Sep 2017 Device: PW3, Galaxy Tab A9+, Moto G7	We have a large B&N near me. I haven't been there in years. I need to go back. This thread has motivated me. I remember when the kids were young, we always had a great time going there as a family. We had a standing offer for the kids - "We won't always buy you a toy, a video, or things like that, but we will always buy you books that you want." So we'd walk into that B&N store and their faces would just light up. The family would disperse on our own individual searches and meet up again in an hour or so to decide if the adventure was wrapping up or if it should continue for another hour before regrouping. Sometimes we'd run into each other in the store and say "hi!" in passing, before continuing on with our personal quests. The agreed upon "You want it, you can have it" rule (as long as it's a book) brought a sense of freedom and fun to everybody in the family. Now that the kids are grown and moved out I don't go on these adventures anymore. I mostly get ebooks now, and most of them come from the library. Sitting at your computer doing searches is quite boring compared to the old days. Instant gratification to get the book. But no excited anticipation of the family bookstore trip. I just went into The Boulder Bookstore last week for my first book signing. By my favorite author. And I was immediately thrown back into earlier years at the sights. I'm not kidding, it was actually thrilling and awe inspiring for me to see all the books on display. I was like a kid again myself. Because the book signing was my goal for the night, I did not do as much looking around and shopping as I would have liked. But I want to go back there. I just need to schedule a few hours to wander. I think it's the bookstore experience that I like more so than paper books. I do like paper books, just staring at them even, but digital ones are more convenient and practical. Just being at a bookstore is so peaceful for me. It makes me feel happy. I had totally forgotten how great a bookstore is, but re-experienced the wonder at that book signing last Friday.