Actually Bought A Book

leebase · 10-16-2019, 12:07 AM

Did something I hadn't in years....went to a book store. My brother-in-law was having a party for his 70th birthday and he's a reader, and I waited until the last minute to buy him a gift. So off to the book store I go.

I'm so glad the book store is still there (it's a Barnes and Noble). Poor thing wouldn't be in business at all if it were up to my patronage.

It was nice being able to browse for a book. Nicer than browsing Amazon. There is something about SEEING a book. You aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover...but I certainly do respond to the physical-ness of a book...including the cover.

There was this AWESOME looking edition of Dune...very beautiful. I wanted to buy it for him but he doesn't like sci-fi...and I was tempted anyway because it's my all time favorite book.

I bought Hamilton, which I was specifically looking for. Had no idea how large that book was...as my copy is on my iPad. No wonder it's taken so long to read.

I bought another interesting history book (he likes histories) that I hadn't heard of, but saw it when browsing. Hope it's a good book. There were no "Amazon ratings" to read (and I didn't use my phone).

They even gift wrapped the books. It's much nicer to give a physical book that you picked out for someone than a gift card for them to buy the book themselves. Not saying HE might not have rather picked out his own books. But for me, having a physical gift to give that showed I thought about him...was important.

THEN....wouldn't you know it...I bought two more actual books the very next week. My daughter has decided to give "learning computers" a shot as a career path. I have video training tutorials...and she's using them, but she said "Dad, I like books". So I bought her a couple from Amazon and they showed up in 2 days.

And so I go to read one myself. Oh man. I do NOT like to READ physical books. Thick, heavy. My chair isn't situated to where there is good lighting. I can't change the font size. It's awkward when you are on the "thin side" of a think book and the pages bend over a curve. The basic annoyances of reading a physical book which I experienced but never thought much about when I only had physical books to read.

Still...in all...it was nice to remember that there is value in the physicality of a book. I see why some of you consider them "home decorations".

But for me....give me an ebook and an iPad.

Apache · 10-16-2019, 08:49 AM

I used to love browsing bookstores. When I was traveling for a living I would try to hit every book store in the area I was in. I would have so many books in my suitcases, after a few weeks, that I would box up the ones I had read and ship them home.
Now, I do not enjoy browsing bookstores, even when I find them. The last time I was in a Barnes and Noble and a Books A Million they seemed more like a toy store to me. Science Fiction/Fantasy has been shrunk down to five book cases and even General Fiction has fewer rows of bookcases. To me it is sad that you walk into a 26,000 square foot book store and maybe 35% is actually books.
Apache

theducks · 10-16-2019, 10:15 AM

I used to like to browse Independent Book stores because THEY were different.

The problem (my view) with chain stores, is they are pretty much run from the HQ, so what you find is probably just due to layout differences between (same brand) locations.

Tony1988 · 10-16-2019, 10:40 AM

Well glad you visited one last time....lol....soon bookstores will pretty much be a thing of the past....

ps67 · 10-16-2019, 10:50 AM

I still like to visit bookshop but I prefer to read on my Kobo. And if I own a file the book is more "mine", it seems stupid but I can manipulate a file, not a "real" book.

Of course not every book can be read on a Kobo: obvious exceptions are art books and other great format books with maps, photos etc.

JSWolf · 10-16-2019, 11:57 AM

I rememeber back when I was younger and we had Waldenbooks. They had free book clubs. You picked the genres you were interested in and got a card for the genres. You got 10% off if you bought so much and 15% off if you bought more. They eventually did away with these clubs, but the cards were still valid. It was fun to go buy some books and the staff trying to figure out how my card worked and how to ring up the purchase.

Back when, a Borders opened up near my mom and I used to give her a gift card. So liked the gift cards. She could go to Borders and buy what she wanted. Then eventually, she moved to reading on a Reader and I would get her eBooks from the library or I would buy some of the books she wanted to read. I had her laptop setup with Calibre and Teamviewer. I would have her plug in the Reader (Sony) and one Calibre saw it I was able to access her Calibre and do what needed to be done to sort out her eBooks. I enjoyed helping mom. She did like to read and I took after her in that regard.

Yes, I was able to spend too much time browsing bookstores. I still do sometimes. But not as much and for not nearly as long. I do so to get a recommendation of what I might want t read. Places like Amazon and Kobo are not all that great for finding something to read if you are going in with nothing in mind.

Gardenman · 10-16-2019, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

I used to love browsing bookstores. When I was traveling for a living I would try to hit every book store in the area I was in. I would have so many books in my suitcases, after a few weeks, that I would box up the ones I had read and ship them home.
Now, I do not enjoy browsing bookstores, even when I find them. The last time I was in a Barnes and Noble and a Books A Million they seemed more like a toy store to me. Science Fiction/Fantasy has been shrunk down to five book cases and even General Fiction has fewer rows of bookcases. To me it is sad that you walk into a 26,000 square foot book store and maybe 35% is actually books.
Apache

In my local Barnes and Noble you used to be able to sit and read. They had a dozen chairs. Now they have taken all the chairs out except 2.

Tarana · 10-16-2019, 03:53 PM

I truly miss books and was reminded of it today when I looked at a pdf file for a book (horror Storybundle). All that formatting is so lovely and I just miss it, but the reality is that I can't read it. I have to go for function rather than beautiful typography.

I remember those chairs in B&N. I think I bought at least 60% of the books and magazines that I sat down to look at. Occasionally, I got a coffee while perusing too. I don't even have the excuse to go look at and buy a new calendar as my sister brings one every year now.

drofgnal · 10-17-2019, 05:54 AM

I have a Barnes and Noble near work. Sometimes for lunch, I'll take my sandwich, get a cup of coffee and browse books. Like the OP, I too like to browse book stores, but if I find something I like, I'll snap a picture and buy the ebook later. I don't think I've bought a physical new book in years. I just recently retired (back still working as a consultant) and I'm trying to downsize. I just recently gave a whole book shelf of books a way, that I'm tired of keeping around. I kept textbooks, nonfiction, and classic fiction, the rest went out the door.

I also like browsing used book stores. I have picked up a few OOP books in those that are not ebooks.

Scarpad · 10-27-2019, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

I used to love browsing bookstores. When I was traveling for a living I would try to hit every book store in the area I was in. I would have so many books in my suitcases, after a few weeks, that I would box up the ones I had read and ship them home.
Now, I do not enjoy browsing bookstores, even when I find them. The last time I was in a Barnes and Noble and a Books A Million they seemed more like a toy store to me. Science Fiction/Fantasy has been shrunk down to five book cases and even General Fiction has fewer rows of bookcases. To me it is sad that you walk into a 26,000 square foot book store and maybe 35% is actually books.
Apache

I agree they devote morespace to funko pops

HolyAura · 10-29-2019, 08:23 AM

I used to go to the bookstore every week until I heard about ereaders.

Apache · 10-29-2019, 09:25 AM

The last local used bookstore closed years ago here.
Apache

JSWolf · 10-29-2019, 06:00 PM

@leebase, this thread is ridiculous and needs to go.

An eBook is a book. So don't start with this a pBook is a book and an eBook is not. That's just rather pathetic. You should know better by now that a Book is not just the container/

DiapDealer · 10-29-2019, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

@leebase, this thread is ridiculous and needs to go.

An eBook is a book. So don't start with this a pBook is a book and an eBook is not. That's just rather pathetic. You should know better by now that a Book is not just the container/

Can I ask why you've suddenly decided to go off on this thread after already responding so reasonably to it above?

JSWolf · 10-29-2019, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Can I ask why you've suddenly decided to go off on this thread after already responding so reasonably to it above?

Because I just realized that this thread is saying that eBooks are not real books. Saying that eBooks are not real books is just wrong.

However, you could fix the thread y changing the topic to "Actually bought a pBook" or "Actually bought a paper book"

10-16-2019, 12:07 AM	#1
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,934 Karma: 26616647 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Actually Bought A Book Did something I hadn't in years....went to a book store. My brother-in-law was having a party for his 70th birthday and he's a reader, and I waited until the last minute to buy him a gift. So off to the book store I go. I'm so glad the book store is still there (it's a Barnes and Noble). Poor thing wouldn't be in business at all if it were up to my patronage. It was nice being able to browse for a book. Nicer than browsing Amazon. There is something about SEEING a book. You aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover...but I certainly do respond to the physical-ness of a book...including the cover. There was this AWESOME looking edition of Dune...very beautiful. I wanted to buy it for him but he doesn't like sci-fi...and I was tempted anyway because it's my all time favorite book. I bought Hamilton, which I was specifically looking for. Had no idea how large that book was...as my copy is on my iPad. No wonder it's taken so long to read. I bought another interesting history book (he likes histories) that I hadn't heard of, but saw it when browsing. Hope it's a good book. There were no "Amazon ratings" to read (and I didn't use my phone). They even gift wrapped the books. It's much nicer to give a physical book that you picked out for someone than a gift card for them to buy the book themselves. Not saying HE might not have rather picked out his own books. But for me, having a physical gift to give that showed I thought about him...was important. THEN....wouldn't you know it...I bought two more actual books the very next week. My daughter has decided to give "learning computers" a shot as a career path. I have video training tutorials...and she's using them, but she said "Dad, I like books". So I bought her a couple from Amazon and they showed up in 2 days. And so I go to read one myself. Oh man. I do NOT like to READ physical books. Thick, heavy. My chair isn't situated to where there is good lighting. I can't change the font size. It's awkward when you are on the "thin side" of a think book and the pages bend over a curve. The basic annoyances of reading a physical book which I experienced but never thought much about when I only had physical books to read. Still...in all...it was nice to remember that there is value in the physicality of a book. I see why some of you consider them "home decorations". But for me....give me an ebook and an iPad.

10-16-2019, 10:50 AM	#5
ps67 Guru Posts: 731 Karma: 7000000 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Italy Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Elipsa, Pocketbook Color PB633, Inkpad Color	I still like to visit bookshop but I prefer to read on my Kobo. And if I own a file the book is more "mine", it seems stupid but I can manipulate a file, not a "real" book. Of course not every book can be read on a Kobo: obvious exceptions are art books and other great format books with maps, photos etc. Last edited by ps67; 10-16-2019 at 01:22 PM.

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10-16-2019, 08:49 AM	#2
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,137 Karma: 89858112 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I used to love browsing bookstores. When I was traveling for a living I would try to hit every book store in the area I was in. I would have so many books in my suitcases, after a few weeks, that I would box up the ones I had read and ship them home. Now, I do not enjoy browsing bookstores, even when I find them. The last time I was in a Barnes and Noble and a Books A Million they seemed more like a toy store to me. Science Fiction/Fantasy has been shrunk down to five book cases and even General Fiction has fewer rows of bookcases. To me it is sad that you walk into a 26,000 square foot book store and maybe 35% is actually books. Apache

10-16-2019, 10:15 AM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,800 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I used to like to browse Independent Book stores because THEY were different. The problem (my view) with chain stores, is they are pretty much run from the HQ, so what you find is probably just due to layout differences between (same brand) locations.

10-16-2019, 10:40 AM	#4
Tony1988 Guru Posts: 711 Karma: 4033862 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: sony prs-350	Well glad you visited one last time....lol....soon bookstores will pretty much be a thing of the past....

10-16-2019, 11:57 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I rememeber back when I was younger and we had Waldenbooks. They had free book clubs. You picked the genres you were interested in and got a card for the genres. You got 10% off if you bought so much and 15% off if you bought more. They eventually did away with these clubs, but the cards were still valid. It was fun to go buy some books and the staff trying to figure out how my card worked and how to ring up the purchase. Back when, a Borders opened up near my mom and I used to give her a gift card. So liked the gift cards. She could go to Borders and buy what she wanted. Then eventually, she moved to reading on a Reader and I would get her eBooks from the library or I would buy some of the books she wanted to read. I had her laptop setup with Calibre and Teamviewer. I would have her plug in the Reader (Sony) and one Calibre saw it I was able to access her Calibre and do what needed to be done to sort out her eBooks. I enjoyed helping mom. She did like to read and I took after her in that regard. Yes, I was able to spend too much time browsing bookstores. I still do sometimes. But not as much and for not nearly as long. I do so to get a recommendation of what I might want t read. Places like Amazon and Kobo are not all that great for finding something to read if you are going in with nothing in mind.

10-16-2019, 03:53 PM	#8
Tarana Wizard Posts: 3,978 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I truly miss books and was reminded of it today when I looked at a pdf file for a book (horror Storybundle). All that formatting is so lovely and I just miss it, but the reality is that I can't read it. I have to go for function rather than beautiful typography. I remember those chairs in B&N. I think I bought at least 60% of the books and magazines that I sat down to look at. Occasionally, I got a coffee while perusing too. I don't even have the excuse to go look at and buy a new calendar as my sister brings one every year now.

10-17-2019, 05:54 AM	#9
drofgnal Wizard Posts: 1,228 Karma: 7838248 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Ipad Pro/Kindle Oasis 3/iPhone 13 Pro Max	I have a Barnes and Noble near work. Sometimes for lunch, I'll take my sandwich, get a cup of coffee and browse books. Like the OP, I too like to browse book stores, but if I find something I like, I'll snap a picture and buy the ebook later. I don't think I've bought a physical new book in years. I just recently retired (back still working as a consultant) and I'm trying to downsize. I just recently gave a whole book shelf of books a way, that I'm tired of keeping around. I kept textbooks, nonfiction, and classic fiction, the rest went out the door. I also like browsing used book stores. I have picked up a few OOP books in those that are not ebooks.

10-29-2019, 08:23 AM	#11
HolyAura Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 201170 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Singapore Device: Kobo Clara HD	I used to go to the bookstore every week until I heard about ereaders.

10-29-2019, 09:25 AM	#12
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,137 Karma: 89858112 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	The last local used bookstore closed years ago here. Apache

10-29-2019, 06:00 PM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@leebase, this thread is ridiculous and needs to go. An eBook is a book. So don't start with this a pBook is a book and an eBook is not. That's just rather pathetic. You should know better by now that a Book is not just the container/