Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

As someone who enjoys spending time at bookstores, especially one's that have free wifi, and their own cafe, I'm very sad to see what's happening with Borders. I'm sad for the people that may be facing unemployment, and for the loss of such a great book buying/ reading atmosphere. Granted, I've gone to Borders to take advantage of their closing sale (twice in one day!), I just hate to see it go. I've come aross some articles hinting that Books A Million may be purchasing some Borders stores,but there's nothing concrete. I've also come across some articles this week that allude to the end of printed books, and that ebooks are taking over. As much as I'm a fan of ebooks, I love my printed books.

Although I'm not close to a Borders I'm sad. I always feel sad when anything to do with books closes. If I had been close enough to one I know I would have been there constantly. I do pray that the paperback doesn't get phased out. I have an ereader but its because I can't get everything I want to read in paperback. But I will always preferred the paperback in my hands.

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Although I'm not close to a Borders I'm sad. I always feel sad when anything to do with books closes. If I had been close enough to one I know I would have been there constantly. I do pray that the..."

I know exactly what you mean. I don't know all of the events that led up to Borders having to go out business, but I know some of the smaller, local bookstores in my area are worried about what this will mean for them. I mean, how can any small store compete with the convenience and variety of ebooks and buying online from places like amazon.com if Borders couldn't? I know for me the atmosphere is a big part of a bookstore, but so isn't being able to find and buy books that I'd like to read.

As a former employee of both Waldenbooks and BDalton which were both swallowed by the Mammoths Border's and Barnes & Noble it is hard for me to really mourn the loss of one of the 'Mega Centers'. While I love my Nook and I have patronized both stores, I find that I am ambivalent about Border's closing.

When both Border's and Barnes and Noble started expanding, they it put so many independent and smaller bookstores out of business (even those with small cafe's inside) that it became almost impossible for these stores to compete.

Hopefully this might actually be good news for future independent proprietors who can provide the same service (even if on a smaller scale). There will always be those who prefer print, but to me the best compromise would be for publishers to keep producing print books on a smaller scale while also releasing e-books.

Two real advantages that could be a result of e-books are helping to save the environment and having out of print books be revived by this medium. One dirty little secret I discovered when working in bookstores is the concept of 'stripping' books and magazines. When we had a surplus of books or mags that were not selling we would strip the covers off and throw the bulk away (there was absolutely no recycling of any of the product). This often resulted in huge (taped) boxes being thrown away several times per week. If these books were taken or given away it would result in immediate termination for the employee. I can see the potential profit loss, but what a waste! As far as I know this is still being done by both Barnes & Noble and Border's (although I can not swear that this is still the case).

The other point is regarding bringing back out of print books and making them available online. Really, how difficult is it to scan a book and edit it for the format? Think of how many authors would be revived and how many much loved books would be returned to the public! In my mind it would be a win/win situation for the company, authors, publishers and readers.

I have to admit I do have a soft spot for Barnes & Noble if only because it bought me my Nook. I find that I mostly go in the store, write down the titles or scan them on my phone and buy them on my Nook. The main disadvantages for me is that if B&N closed I would no longer be able to bring my daughter to play with Thomas the train and would not be able to browse and have something 'jump out' at me that I can file away for later purchasing. That would probably be the saddest part of the big chain stores closing for me!

Sorry for going on and on! I think there are so many valid points both pro and con and GR's members are so passionate about their books. :))))

Good lord. It is hard to believe that one day people may talk about how "my grandmother used to take to what they called a bookstore".

I'm terribly sad about this! There are 3 Borders all within 45 minutes of me, and that's it. There are no small bookstores anywhere around, new or used. I think there's a B & N up in Cleveland maybe, but that's nearly 2 hrs away. I refuse to read ebooks (as of right now anyway, but it's starting to look like I may be forced into before I'm middle-aged) I can't buy books online because I don't have a bank card or credit card... So I don't know what I'm going to do for new books... That just leaves the selection at WalMart or if I drive a little farther away, KMart or Target. I hope one of the locations near me gets bought up by some other book store.

I am very sad that Borders is going out of business. I have one very close to me that I go to often (or I now should say went to). The closest Barnes & Noble is 30 minutes from me. I too love my e-reader, but I still prefer to hold my paperback books in my hand. I am hoping that physical books aren't going to be a "thing of the past" anytime soon.

Lisa Kay wrote: "Good lord. It is hard to believe that one day people may talk about how "my grandmother used to take to what they called a bookstore"."

Oh I know it! I remember my grandparents were shocked at the idea of a cell phone. My grandfather was saying that when he was a child, if anyone discussed such a concept, he or she would've been accused of witchcraft. I remember laughing so hard over that one, that my ab muscles were actually sore. But now I'm thinking that my grand kids will be laughing at the idea of me reading a paperback book or something.

Fiona wrote: "As a former employee of both Waldenbooks and BDalton which were both swallowed by the Mammoths Border's and Barnes & Noble it is hard for me to really mourn the loss of one of the 'Mega Centers'. W..."

Fiona, don't apologize for "going on and on." I found your post really enlightening. The idea of "stripping" books instead of donating them to the library, giving them to employees, or selling them for next to nothing is upsetting to me. What a waste! I do see the benefit to the environment that ebooks provide, and I'm definitely in favor of saving the earth. I just hope that the smaller, non-chain bookstores have nothing to fear. I'm thinking that with a mega store like Borders closing, that they'd see some increase in business.

I liked your post too, Fiona. :)

Thanks Guys,

Just playing devil's advocate! :)))