Do you miss going to bookstores? - Page 4

tomsem · 02-08-2022, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I used to do that a lot more then I do now. But I will do so if I am near enough to a bookstore and have the time.

I at least was talking about digital book price-matching only.

ZodWallop · 02-08-2022, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have virtually moved to the the UK to be able to buy something not available in the US. But at least I'm buying rather then stealing.

I've done that twice myself.

swimon126 · 02-09-2022, 01:28 AM

Yep, I miss it. There's a nice bookstore (albeit a chain) near my work so I go there 2-3 times a week just to browse (and buy from their online store if I see something interesting). What's neat is they often have short written recommendations attached to many books - it's quite nice.

Sadly, the customer service is supbar at best (i.e. staff looking bored, unfriendly, unmotivated, etc.) -- if the store didn't have such a big selection and a generally nice atmosphere, I would have avoided it altogether. To be honest, the lack of good customer service in stores in general makes it difficult for me to actually want to support them - so I often just end up buying online ..

Brandison · 02-09-2022, 06:32 AM

I buy books online most of the time but when i'm out and there's a book store, I don't mind having a browse.

Gardenman · 02-09-2022, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheri2022

I still go to Barnes and Noble as someone else mentioned it's the only store I go to which isn't a grocery store, I love to wander around and check books, puzzles, Criterion collection, and sometimes I sit and read on my ereader. Do I buy physical books from them? No.

I used to go to the Barns and Noble nearest to to me. They used to have a lot of chairs to sit and read. Now they only have 2.

ZodWallop · 02-09-2022, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardenman

I used to go to the Barns and Noble nearest to to me. They used to have a lot of chairs to sit and read. Now they only have 2.

I've noticed that too. I suspect it has something to do with teenagers who would plop themselves down with five or six volumes of manga they would read cover to cover. How many books would Amazon sell if their Look inside feature let you read the entire book?

When they had more chairs, it wasn't really easier to get one.

Critteranne · 02-09-2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardenman

I used to go to the Barns and Noble nearest to to me. They used to have a lot of chairs to sit and read. Now they only have 2.

Ours cut back on the tables and chairs in the coffee area when they first reopened in 2020 (after the early mini-lockdown). They also allowed people to take up a table for just half an hour -- this guideline lasted a few months. Once more people were vaxxed, they brought back the other tables and chairs and removed those guidelines. I don't know whether they reinforced the time restriction -- I'm sure I went over a little bit a couple of times.

However, one of the stores near me did get rid of the chairs near the front (especially when they moved things around), and I think that was done before COVID. But another B&N kept the extra chairs in the magazine section.

william z · 02-11-2022, 12:40 AM

I used to spend a lot of time in both new and second-hand bookstores, but since most of them closed around where I live it's a moot point now.

DuskyRose · 02-12-2022, 09:55 AM

I do and don't miss them. I liked used bookstores more, because they had a better selection than the new bookstores. The new ones used to have brand new content, and it was harder to find the first book in a series once it was over a year old although they'd have the newest addition to the series. I'd always be told I'd have to special order all the earlier ones.

They were just limited on shelf space. And I'd have a lot of trouble finding out if a book was even part of a series to start with. Sometimes the inner leaf of the book would list the other books, sometimes they'd just list all the books in a lump, series or not.

Sure, same problem in a used bookstore, but I was more likely to find the earlier books as well. Less frustrating for me and better prices.

Over the years the local bookstores started ordering fewer and fewer Fantasy and Scifi. Not that they had a lot. But 10 shelves became 7 shelves, then went to 5 shelves... and were replaced by the Young Adult books coming out. Hubby found fewer and fewer computer books, which barely had two shelves to begin with.

I don't think I really miss them, and hardly even go to the used book store anymore. They can't sell what the locals don't bring in, and if the local area isn't into scifi and fantasy, then they don't get any to sell.

I love browsing on Amazon and other ebook sites. I don't have room for more physical books, and now feel guilty walking out without buying anything from real stores anymore. I do wish they were doing well, and still around. I'm just not a customer now.

graycyn · 02-12-2022, 04:08 PM

Not at all, with the possible exception of used bookstores. I always kind of liked the chance of finding something rare and out-of-print that I wanted at those. However, eBay search is easier, saves gas, and there are definitely bargains to be had.

New book stores leave me cold now. My eyes aren't so good, it's MUCH harder for me to read titles and author names on book shelves than it is to do so on my computer, where they are presented horizontally and not vertically oriented on a book spine!

Further, if I'm not familiar with an author, I like reading some reviews to give me a feel as to whether I might like a book or not. Easier done online.

But I don't actually buy tons of books, never have, can't afford to when I'm reading as much as I do, so the library has always been my best source of books and is and ever shall be, my friend.

azayn · 02-13-2022, 01:08 AM

Barnes and Noble is closing down locations around me and the ones that remain open aren’t as welcoming as they used to be.

The local libraries though are reinventing themselves to offer a more bookstore feel.

Paperbackstash · 02-13-2022, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azayn

Barnes and Noble is closing down locations around me and the ones that remain open aren’t as welcoming as they used to be.

The local libraries though are reinventing themselves to offer a more bookstore feel.

My Barnes N Nobles closed down over 10 years ago now.We are fortunate to have a Books a Million but I believe those are more regional based

Freeshadow · 02-13-2022, 10:02 PM

nope not at all. I so DON'T MISS carrying the purchases back home.

4691mls · 02-14-2022, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

My Barnes N Nobles closed down over 10 years ago now.We are fortunate to have a Books a Million but I believe those are more regional based

Our Books a Million closed but we still have a Barnes and Noble in the mall

Poppaea · 02-15-2022, 11:07 AM

I don't go into bookstores anymore. The ones I miss are the ones I went to when I was young. They had knowledgable staff that knew my taste and would challenge it sometimes. They would recommend books to broaden my horizon without boring me to death. They would ask how I liked the book when I came back. This was obviously only possible because I spent a lot of time there and even more money.

Now they have those chain bookstores in the mall, which I hate. They are like those at the airport, only bigger.

There still is a little bookstore in my vicinty. Sadly my most beloved "book advisor" retired and I never connected with anyone else there.

In the end, since I got a reader and found out about online libraries about a year later, I don't spend money on books anymore. Which is why I'd deem it unfair to participate of their knowledge without spending money in the store anyway.

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02-09-2022, 01:28 AM	#48
swimon126 Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 124278 Join Date: Apr 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 4, Kobo Libra 2	Yep, I miss it. There's a nice bookstore (albeit a chain) near my work so I go there 2-3 times a week just to browse (and buy from their online store if I see something interesting). What's neat is they often have short written recommendations attached to many books - it's quite nice. Sadly, the customer service is supbar at best (i.e. staff looking bored, unfriendly, unmotivated, etc.) -- if the store didn't have such a big selection and a generally nice atmosphere, I would have avoided it altogether. To be honest, the lack of good customer service in stores in general makes it difficult for me to actually want to support them - so I often just end up buying online ..

02-09-2022, 06:32 AM	#49
Brandison Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2022 Device: none	I buy books online most of the time but when i'm out and there's a book store, I don't mind having a browse.

02-11-2022, 12:40 AM	#53
william z Connoisseur Posts: 56 Karma: 4622408 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: B.C., Canada Device: Kobo Touch	I used to spend a lot of time in both new and second-hand bookstores, but since most of them closed around where I live it's a moot point now.

02-12-2022, 09:55 AM	#54
DuskyRose Guru Posts: 727 Karma: 9209502 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Boox Air3 & Palma, Scribe & Paperwhite, Eclipsa 2e, & Libra 2, Ipads	I do and don't miss them. I liked used bookstores more, because they had a better selection than the new bookstores. The new ones used to have brand new content, and it was harder to find the first book in a series once it was over a year old although they'd have the newest addition to the series. I'd always be told I'd have to special order all the earlier ones. They were just limited on shelf space. And I'd have a lot of trouble finding out if a book was even part of a series to start with. Sometimes the inner leaf of the book would list the other books, sometimes they'd just list all the books in a lump, series or not. Sure, same problem in a used bookstore, but I was more likely to find the earlier books as well. Less frustrating for me and better prices. Over the years the local bookstores started ordering fewer and fewer Fantasy and Scifi. Not that they had a lot. But 10 shelves became 7 shelves, then went to 5 shelves... and were replaced by the Young Adult books coming out. Hubby found fewer and fewer computer books, which barely had two shelves to begin with. I don't think I really miss them, and hardly even go to the used book store anymore. They can't sell what the locals don't bring in, and if the local area isn't into scifi and fantasy, then they don't get any to sell. I love browsing on Amazon and other ebook sites. I don't have room for more physical books, and now feel guilty walking out without buying anything from real stores anymore. I do wish they were doing well, and still around. I'm just not a customer now.

02-12-2022, 04:08 PM	#55
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,514 Karma: 11250344 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Pocketbook Era, Kindle Oasis 2	Not at all, with the possible exception of used bookstores. I always kind of liked the chance of finding something rare and out-of-print that I wanted at those. However, eBay search is easier, saves gas, and there are definitely bargains to be had. New book stores leave me cold now. My eyes aren't so good, it's MUCH harder for me to read titles and author names on book shelves than it is to do so on my computer, where they are presented horizontally and not vertically oriented on a book spine! Further, if I'm not familiar with an author, I like reading some reviews to give me a feel as to whether I might like a book or not. Easier done online. But I don't actually buy tons of books, never have, can't afford to when I'm reading as much as I do, so the library has always been my best source of books and is and ever shall be, my friend.

02-13-2022, 01:08 AM	#56
azayn Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 7934958 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chicago Device: Nova 3, Galaxy S22+, iPad	Barnes and Noble is closing down locations around me and the ones that remain open aren’t as welcoming as they used to be. The local libraries though are reinventing themselves to offer a more bookstore feel.

02-13-2022, 10:02 PM	#58
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,794 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	nope not at all. I so DON'T MISS carrying the purchases back home.

02-15-2022, 11:07 AM	#60
Poppaea Lucifer's Bat Posts: 2,536 Karma: 19491715 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Earth/Berlin Device: Kobo Libra 2	I don't go into bookstores anymore. The ones I miss are the ones I went to when I was young. They had knowledgable staff that knew my taste and would challenge it sometimes. They would recommend books to broaden my horizon without boring me to death. They would ask how I liked the book when I came back. This was obviously only possible because I spent a lot of time there and even more money. Now they have those chain bookstores in the mall, which I hate. They are like those at the airport, only bigger. There still is a little bookstore in my vicinty. Sadly my most beloved "book advisor" retired and I never connected with anyone else there. In the end, since I got a reader and found out about online libraries about a year later, I don't spend money on books anymore. Which is why I'd deem it unfair to participate of their knowledge without spending money in the store anyway.

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