Thursday, February 09, 2012

Ode to Barnes and Noble

The other day my friend and I were killing time before dinner and decided to go into the B&N next door to the restaurant. I’ve gone on about my love of the eReader but I should have mentioned that as much as I don’t read paper books any more I miss bookstores.

I really miss them. I don’t think I realized how much.

Walking through the doors I was struck again by the colors of all the covers, the excitement of seeing author’s names who I didn’t realize had a new release out. Old books, classic books, all the books I haven’t read. Books arranged in neat rows. Special stand alone shelves and racks calling my attention to covers and authors I might not have picked up otherwise.

Then there was the smell of coffee and treats. And the sight of people alone reading while they ate a sandwich and had a cup of coffee and maybe saved room for a black and white cookie. See at the B&N it’s okay to be out in public by yourself reading a book. No one thinks that’s strange.

I browsed the new releases. I checked out all the staff recommendations. I went to the romance section and it was like visiting a this place I hadn’t been to in so long… I had forgotten how much I loved just standing in front of it.

So this blog is dedicated to you… the brick and mortar store. May you always be there with your sections and your special racks and your coffee and your display of all delicious things I really shouldn’t be eating.

I forgot that in so many ways Barnes & Noble is like my church and if felt comforting to be inside those four walls once again.

6 comments:

Molly O'Keefe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Molly O'Keefe said...

I have been standing in front of the romance sections of bookstores since I was 15 years old. and it's still such a comforting place to be.

Karen Whiddon said...

you said... Barnes and Noble is like my church. That's so perfect. And true.

Anonymous said...

I love the smell, the combination of brewing coffee and new book, which is so delicious and being able to browse...

Going to a bookstore is an event.. one that takes a solid hour in my world.

Maureen McGowan said...

Well, since there are no B&Ns in Canada and they won't even sell you a Nook if you live outside the US, I can't really comment. ;)

But I do love bookstores. The big ones with the variety and coffee shops. The small ones with great customer service and ambiance. LOVE them.

Eileen said...

Even my kid who doesn't read much likes to hang out in bookstores. The loss of the Borders in downtown Davis is huge. Our indie isn't exactly a welcoming place for people to hang out, especially not teenagers.

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