I was very sad to read the news on Monday that the Borders chain is giving up the fight. I’m not terribly surprised–they have been closing stores all year–but it still came as a blow.
After our local Waldenbooks closed, our town was down to a couple of used bookstores and a small Christian bookseller. My family began making regular pilgrimages to the next town over which had a Borders. I was always impressed with their staff, who surprised me with their deep knowledge of books, no matter how bizarre our questions. When my son was on a comic book buying frenzy, one of the clerks told us all the great places in town where he could find the odd issues he was seeking. I had a fascinating discussion with another clerk about YA Christian fiction and the way that it is shelved. You expect that level of knowledge and service at a small bookstore, but it’s rare in a large chain.
Unless another bookstore moves into our region, I guess that means we have to travel even further afield to find a new favorite bookstore. Don’t get me wrong–I love Amazon and have since they broke on the scene a few years ago (Christmas shopping in the middle of the night without leaving the house? Cool!), but I will miss the fun of walking the aisles at Borders and talking with the clerks.You just don’t get that with an on-line seller.
How are you feeling about the loss? Where do you buy most of your books? Where will you buy them now?
Do you think E-books are to blame for Borders’ demise? PCWorld doesn’t. Read their article here.
Are you worried about your Kobo reader? Read Kobo’s response, here.