Do you miss going to bookstores? - Page 5

mlewis78 · 02-19-2022, 02:07 AM

I do miss browsing in bookstores. We had so many here in the city. We still have the Strand, a few Barnes & Noble and Shakespeare & Company. I'm sure there are a few other independent book stores. The only book store close by is an Amazon one. B&N closed the one that was an easy walk. In 2011 I worked next to one one in east midtown and often went in there.

I have so many books that I have not read, so I am unlikely to buy any books. My apartment is mall. I used to have stacks of books on the floor around the sofa, but I did a purge in 2008.

I also miss browsing music CD stores: Tower Records and J&R. I have recently heard that there are quite a few vinyl record stores, but I got rid of most of my LPs and the turntable (which no longer worked several years after I stopped using it). I have so many CDs, mostly in a tall revolving 4-sided tower.

After I started reading e-books, i was still going to book stores, but it made me a little sad that I didn't want to buy paper books. My place is so full of them.

harriska2 · 02-21-2022, 01:52 PM

I miss Borders. Have to travel over an hour each way to visit a Barnes and Noble or Powell’s City of Books. Back in 1993 I vowed to go paperless. With a huge scanner that was made possible so that my collection of children’s horsey novels and old elementary grade level science books are now in Calibre.

wowana · 02-24-2022, 02:21 AM

I don`t yet, there are still shops in the UK. I hate reading book on a screen, however, I wrote a funny book that is only e-book format. So, it seems I`ve got a messed-up opinion on that.

Katsunami · 03-30-2022, 08:16 AM

On the one hand, I like book stores. On the other hand, there are a few problems:

- They almost never have in stock what I want. So they need to order it and it often takes 5-10 working days to arrive. So why shouldn't I just order it online now, and have it tomorrow?
- My vision is poor. If a book is not at eye-level, I can't read the spine.
- To actually be _able_ to read the spine, I have to tilt my head.
- A book store has no index. I _HATE_ browsing for stuff. I _NEVER_ aimlessly browse in any store to see if there's something I might buy. If I go to buy something, I know _EXACTLY_ what I want to buy, and/or the criteria it has to meet. That's why I like buying online: I can either immediately buy what I want, or if there are many options, filter on the criteria and then choose one of the options that is left.
- The only two things I buy at a store are clothes and shoes because I want to try if they fit. And even then I almost always know what I'm going to buy and I don't browse here either.
- Why should I read paper books? Have you ever held a luxury hardcover copy of something as big as LotR (complete) when sitting on the couch? Those books are heavy and unwieldy compared to an e-reader. The only paper books I still have and read are illustrated editions of my favorites. And with those, I often have them for the illustrations alone.
- Smell and feel of books? Meh... I don't really have a love books as an object. When I converted my entire library to un-DRM-ed ebooks, I gave away all my paper books. (Same when I converted all my music to FLAC; gave away all the CD's.)
- Paper books can't even be backed up. My library is safe from anything including fire, because I have three copies in three different places.

Yeah... book stores. They were nice, up to and including 2010, because for many titles we didn't have anything else.

The only two disadvantages of digital books are DRM, and tagging/fixing them where necessary. Both are a pain to deal with (but Calibre makes it doable).

Tarana · 03-30-2022, 10:33 AM

Quote:

So why shouldn't I just order it online now, and have it tomorrow?

When I was buying paper books, I didn't mind the wait because it kept the business here. We only have B&N and Half Price book stores now. Borders and several other book stores closed long ago and of course Uncle Hugo's/Uncle Edgar's burned down in the riot. We found out that there is another used bookstore that has a lot of used sci/fantasy, so Sis and BIL will check that out next time they come to visit.

baba_marta · 04-04-2022, 10:26 AM

Not particularly. If I can, I will read novels in the language they were first released in -- usually, depending on the genre, that's English. Which is a bit of a problem when you're not in a native English speaking country and would like to do a spot of window shopping.

I did all of my browsing online long before I made the switch to e-reading. The only thing that's changed is that instead of picking up my orders at my local bookstore, I can now simply download them instead. So, looking back, e-reading really was just the logical next step.

GlenBarrington · 04-11-2022, 11:00 PM

The selection is limited in any given genre. I like USED book stores though, but I just don't see the point of new.

I'd rather buy paper books the same way I buy digital.

ZodWallop · 04-12-2022, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

I'd rather buy paper books the same way I buy digital.

On your Kindle? In your underwear? Or both!

Apache · 04-12-2022, 03:36 PM

And here I thought he meant buying used digital books.

Apache

meeera · 04-16-2022, 02:37 AM

I get my new book release news from podcasts, blogs, social feeds, and friends whose tastes are far more tailored to my preferences than a bog standard paper bookshop. Really don't miss them, especially since accessibility is almost always poor. (Exceptions: a SF bookshop in my city, and a local secondhand bookshop.) Last time I went into a QBD for a new release for a gift, it was annoying AF trying to get around, and I became determined to not go back.

ZodWallop · 04-16-2022, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

And here I thought he meant buying used digital books.

Apache

Call me a snob, but I will only buy 100% fresh digital books. None of that used stuff for me

Apache · 04-17-2022, 07:41 AM

I agree those used bytes look so faded and worn.
Apache

Dr. Drib · 04-23-2022, 11:08 AM

Borders

It's hard to believe that 11 years have gone by...

haertig · 04-23-2022, 12:48 PM

I do miss going to bookstores. It's a lot more convenient to get books these days. But it's not as fun.

This week I almost ... almost ... went to a book signing by James Rollins down at our local large bookstore. The Tattered Cover. I struggled with my final decision not to go. But it would have been about a 45 minute drive each way for me, in the evening, into the the middle of Denver - which I don't consider the ultimate in personal safety. On one hand I wish I would have gone. James Rollins is my favorite author. But on the other hand, I'm not terribly upset that I didn't. A decade or two ago I wouldn't have hesitated for a single second.

Dazrin · 04-23-2022, 03:07 PM

My kids and I spent a couple hours in one of Powell's smaller branches last weekend. My 11yo hadn't been before and was completely enthralled. My 14yo has been to the main location so was much less impressed.

I like stores like Powell's for finding things that the echo chambers I frequent on the internet don't list. They've got a lot of staff picks that I wouldn't see otherwise. I sorta feel bad that I won't buy anything from them for myself though, ebooks only for me, although my girls each ended up with a handful. Instead I picked up a couple trinkets and games to show my support.

04-11-2022, 11:00 PM	#67
GlenBarrington Cheese Whiz Posts: 1,986 Karma: 11677147 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Springfield, Illinois Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.	I do not! The selection is limited in any given genre. I like USED book stores though, but I just don't see the point of new. I'd rather buy paper books the same way I buy digital.

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02-19-2022, 02:07 AM	#61
mlewis78 Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 6449772 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York City Device: Kindle Oasis 2 (7"); HDX 8.9"; Ipad2	I do miss browsing in bookstores. We had so many here in the city. We still have the Strand, a few Barnes & Noble and Shakespeare & Company. I'm sure there are a few other independent book stores. The only book store close by is an Amazon one. B&N closed the one that was an easy walk. In 2011 I worked next to one one in east midtown and often went in there. I have so many books that I have not read, so I am unlikely to buy any books. My apartment is mall. I used to have stacks of books on the floor around the sofa, but I did a purge in 2008. I also miss browsing music CD stores: Tower Records and J&R. I have recently heard that there are quite a few vinyl record stores, but I got rid of most of my LPs and the turntable (which no longer worked several years after I stopped using it). I have so many CDs, mostly in a tall revolving 4-sided tower. After I started reading e-books, i was still going to book stores, but it made me a little sad that I didn't want to buy paper books. My place is so full of them.

02-21-2022, 01:52 PM	#62
harriska2 Addict Posts: 272 Karma: 8000000 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Corvallis, OR Device: Kindle PW2, iPad Pro	I miss Borders. Have to travel over an hour each way to visit a Barnes and Noble or Powell’s City of Books. Back in 1993 I vowed to go paperless. With a huge scanner that was made possible so that my collection of children’s horsey novels and old elementary grade level science books are now in Calibre.

02-24-2022, 02:21 AM	#63
wowana Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2022 Device: none	I don`t yet, there are still shops in the UK. I hate reading book on a screen, however, I wrote a funny book that is only e-book format. So, it seems I`ve got a messed-up opinion on that.

03-30-2022, 08:16 AM	#64
Katsunami Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,111 Karma: 34000001 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: KPW1, KA1	On the one hand, I like book stores. On the other hand, there are a few problems: - They almost never have in stock what I want. So they need to order it and it often takes 5-10 working days to arrive. So why shouldn't I just order it online now, and have it tomorrow? - My vision is poor. If a book is not at eye-level, I can't read the spine. - To actually be _able_ to read the spine, I have to tilt my head. - A book store has no index. I _HATE_ browsing for stuff. I _NEVER_ aimlessly browse in any store to see if there's something I might buy. If I go to buy something, I know _EXACTLY_ what I want to buy, and/or the criteria it has to meet. That's why I like buying online: I can either immediately buy what I want, or if there are many options, filter on the criteria and then choose one of the options that is left. - The only two things I buy at a store are clothes and shoes because I want to try if they fit. And even then I almost always know what I'm going to buy and I don't browse here either. - Why should I read paper books? Have you ever held a luxury hardcover copy of something as big as LotR (complete) when sitting on the couch? Those books are heavy and unwieldy compared to an e-reader. The only paper books I still have and read are illustrated editions of my favorites. And with those, I often have them for the illustrations alone. - Smell and feel of books? Meh... I don't really have a love books as an object. When I converted my entire library to un-DRM-ed ebooks, I gave away all my paper books. (Same when I converted all my music to FLAC; gave away all the CD's.) - Paper books can't even be backed up. My library is safe from anything including fire, because I have three copies in three different places. Yeah... book stores. They were nice, up to and including 2010, because for many titles we didn't have anything else. The only two disadvantages of digital books are DRM, and tagging/fixing them where necessary. Both are a pain to deal with (but Calibre makes it doable).

04-04-2022, 10:26 AM	#66
baba_marta Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Onyx Boox Poke 2, Lenovo Tab M8	Not particularly. If I can, I will read novels in the language they were first released in -- usually, depending on the genre, that's English. Which is a bit of a problem when you're not in a native English speaking country and would like to do a spot of window shopping. I did all of my browsing online long before I made the switch to e-reading. The only thing that's changed is that instead of picking up my orders at my local bookstore, I can now simply download them instead. So, looking back, e-reading really was just the logical next step.

04-12-2022, 03:36 PM	#69
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,252 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	And here I thought he meant buying used digital books. Apache

04-16-2022, 02:37 AM	#70
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,791 Karma: 68051336 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I get my new book release news from podcasts, blogs, social feeds, and friends whose tastes are far more tailored to my preferences than a bog standard paper bookshop. Really don't miss them, especially since accessibility is almost always poor. (Exceptions: a SF bookshop in my city, and a local secondhand bookshop.) Last time I went into a QBD for a new release for a gift, it was annoying AF trying to get around, and I became determined to not go back.

04-17-2022, 07:41 AM	#72
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,252 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I agree those used bytes look so faded and worn. Apache

04-23-2022, 11:08 AM	#73
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,314 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Borders It's hard to believe that 11 years have gone by...

04-23-2022, 12:48 PM	#74
haertig Wizard Posts: 1,886 Karma: 31522252 Join Date: Sep 2017 Device: PW3, Fire HD8 Gen7, Moto G7, Sansa Clip v2, Ruizu X26	I do miss going to bookstores. It's a lot more convenient to get books these days. But it's not as fun. This week I almost ... almost ... went to a book signing by James Rollins down at our local large bookstore. The Tattered Cover. I struggled with my final decision not to go. But it would have been about a 45 minute drive each way for me, in the evening, into the the middle of Denver - which I don't consider the ultimate in personal safety. On one hand I wish I would have gone. James Rollins is my favorite author. But on the other hand, I'm not terribly upset that I didn't. A decade or two ago I wouldn't have hesitated for a single second.

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04-23-2022, 03:07 PM	#75
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,720 Karma: 75825105 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	My kids and I spent a couple hours in one of Powell's smaller branches last weekend. My 11yo hadn't been before and was completely enthralled. My 14yo has been to the main location so was much less impressed. I like stores like Powell's for finding things that the echo chambers I frequent on the internet don't list. They've got a lot of staff picks that I wouldn't see otherwise. I sorta feel bad that I won't buy anything from them for myself though, ebooks only for me, although my girls each ended up with a handful. Instead I picked up a couple trinkets and games to show my support.