Bookstores

I spend a lot of time at bookstores. Mostly Barnes and Noble because there are few other book stores anymore. I am glad that places like B&N exist but it does sadden me just a little to know that there are so few independent book stores anymore. It would be extremely hard to compete with companies like Amazon and B&N.

Amazon is great but you can't browse through an entire book of your choosing, that is something you only get at a brick and mortar store so B&N is safe from Amazon I think. (However, I do find better deals at Amazon usually. I tend to go to B&N to scan the book and then I check the prices on Amazon before I buy it.)

I really enjoy being able to browse books. The libraries are great but ever since they have gotten rid of the card catalog I don't enjoy looking for the books as much. I remember the small finger sized brass handles on each alphabetized drawer. I remember the old and somewhat battered wood my local library used for their card catalog.

I hope B&N, Amazon and non card catalogged libraries do not take over the independent book store. I hope that some libraries will still have card catalogs and most of all I hope the world continues to love books. Of that I have little doubt.