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In my local waterstones, there's a computer for the customers to use, with the waterstones site preloaded. What I usually do is, I browse the bookstore in my usual leisurely way, find some books I might be interested in, and then check them on this public computer, to see if they are available as ebooks, because, as many of you, I don't want to buy any more paper books if I can avoid it. If they are not, I buy them on the spot. Otherwise, I wait till I get home.
You see, I too love the atmosphere of bookshops. And it is strange that even if I was anxious to change my reading habits to incorporate the new technology, my browsing habits are a bit behind. Online bookstores are fine if I know what I'm looking for, but for idle browsing and discovering, nothing beats the shelves of physical bookstores for me. Noting down titles, then checking them on the internet, then coming back to buy them in store because they're not available as ebooks is just too tiresome. I would LOVE to be able to buy an ebook right there and then, and would not mind the wait for an email at all (though kiosks are even better of course.)
I'm assuming this all doesn't mean that these ebooks are not available through online stores. Just that you have the alternative to buy them from a physical store. I'd definitely love that. In fact, I miss it. I find myself going into bookstores and coming out empty handed (because I DON'T want more paper books, thank you) and feeling strange.
I definitely welcome this move.
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