Tag: internet killed the bookstore

  • Back to the books

    library interior
    Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano on Pexels.com

    On the opposite end of the spectrum from my recent nationwide chain bookstore experience, I found plenty of things to throw my money at last night at the used bookstore last night. It absolutely made up for the disappointment I experienced on Sunday.

    For the same cost as buying a single hardcover, I managed to snag five used mass market books and one QP paperback. That’s six books, my friends, for just over $30. And all in good to fantastic shape. And I held back, because there were a few other titles I considered adding to the pile.

    Now I’m set for a couple of weeks of reading material, including those books I already have in my possession that I plan to read.

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  • Same as it never was

    Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash

    I went to one of the few big bookstores with physical storefronts remaining yesterday. I don’t need to name names. It was not the best experience and I had not realized just how far things had fallen since I last visited large chain bookstores.

    Where it used to be shelves upon shelves of books to choose from, their inventory was greatly diminished and nearly half of what remained was only tangentially related to books. Lego. Jigsaw puzzles. Stuffies. Overpriced boardgames. Toys. Journals and bags to carry those journals.

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