Bookstores feed my craving for peace, calm, and intellectual stimulation. I love walking slowly past the quiet shelves as I search for the familiar cover of an old favorite or pause to flip through a promising new novel. But unfortunately, bookstores in America now face an uncertain future. According to a recent New York Times article, the nation’s largest “physical” bookseller, Barnes and Noble, is currently fighting for its life against Amazon and digital media.
Ironically, Barnes and Noble used to be the bad guy: a large chain that killed off all of the small, independent booksellers. However, now that Borders has collapsed, Barnes and Noble remains the only hope for traditional publishers who depend on space in brick and mortar bookstores to market printed books. If Barnes and Noble fails, pessimists predict that Amazon and iPads will do to books what iTunes did to vinyl records: make them obsolete.
But William J. Lynch, Jr., CEO of Barnes and Noble, scoffs at that idea. He believes that he can use advances in electronic media to hold interest in his stores and the printed books that they sell. Although the Nook got a late start, it has recently snatched a large chunk of the e-book market away from Amazon. However, Amazon still has more money and more power. Recently, it acquired contracts with well-known authors who will write e-books solely for publication through Amazon.
All of this makes me nervous, as a reader and a writer. On the one hand, it’s a wonderful time to be writing, as e-books and social media have opened up new pathways to publication and have given authors more control over their “product.” However, writers now spend much more of their own time and money promoting their books. Also, I worry that ePublishing, for various reasons, will devalue the written word. For more on the writer’s perspective, see Kristen Lamb’s blog.
Yet, I must admit that I regularly shop at Amazon. My small town doesn’t have many stores, so I frequently turn to Amazon for books, gifts, and most recently, movies. Last month I decided that the $79 Prime Membership would pay for itself in saved shipping costs, so I joined. But Amazon doesn’t give me the tactile experience that Barnes and Noble does. I need both.
I cannot imagine a world without printed books, especially children’s books. Knuffle Bunny and Where the Wild Things Are simply will not look good on an eReader. In the YA dystopian novel Matched, the characters don’t use books, only tablets, and they never even learn how to write letters! I would hate to see this become reality.
I’ve written about this before: in short, I want physical andelectronic book formats to endure.
How do you feel about this as a reader? Do you care if Barnes and Noble survives? How do you envision the world of reading in the future? Will your opinions drive your purchasing choices? Please click on “comments” below to share your thoughts. Thanks!
Julia
Thanks for another fascinating post, and the resulting discussion. We actually have an independent bookstore in our neighborhood that is gorgeous and a delight to be in because of its character and ambiance. The owner says he is willing to lose money on it for another five or ten years to see what happens (he’s wealthy). The experience of going in there or going into a B & N is wildly different but, you are right, being among written pages and bounds books is unique. There is no electronic experience that even comes close.
Love printed books! There is something about holding that book in your hand,feeling the weight of it, the visual appeal of the printed word, and the over all tactile experience; E-books or whatever, can not take the place of the thrill of turning that first page.
I’ve always loved bookstores. However karma is coming back to bite B&N who never had the foresight to see it coming. For years they had a stranglehold on the industry and were in the back pockets of the NY publishing industry. When I was an indie author 10 years ago before ebooks, they wouldn’t touch us with a 10 foot pole. We could do booksignings there, but they would require 40% of your price and then took 3-5 months to cut you the $50.00 check for your share. Now amazon has come along and is giving all authors a fair shake. B&N is paying for it now. They need to either change their attitude and their model or they will die the slow and painful death they deserve.
There’s something exciting about physically going into a book store and thumbing through books. You just don’t get the same experience on your computer.
I totally agree that the physical book and the ebook should endure, I think the former will become more of a prized possession and readers and/or collectors will become more discerning about which books they purchase in a physical medium.
As for Barnes and Noble, I don’t really have a strong view about any particular chain of shops, but I do care that there is a bookshop in my town, so perhaps if that was the only bookshop in my town I would indeed be very concerned. As it is, I am immensely appreciative that we do have an english bookstore in my town, given I live in a part of France where very few people speak english, but there are enough ‘others’ who love reading enough to justify the existence of our cafe/bookstore.
That’s an interesting idea- we’ll become more discerning about which books we buy in hard copy. I can already see that tendency in my habits. Thanks for stopping by and giving a “global” perspective!
Julia,
I LOVE Books…and my world would be so lost without them. I do have NOOK and a kindle app on my tablet…they are good, but not near the same as a “real book.” Barnes and Noble is my favorite date night activity. Long live books!!
Not to be too controversial, but – yeah, I think electronic books will inevitably take over. On the other hand, I don’t think hard copy books will go away completely. If TV hasn’t already killed ’em, nothing can – and TV hasn’t killed movies or theater, either, although it pretty much put paid to radio – at least radio as storytelling. But radio reinvented itself, and I truly believe hard copy books will as well. Maybe they’ll become more focused on a shared experience, such as reading to a child in bed…
Laura, I’m glad you brought another perspective to the discussion. I like your notion of “reinvention,” and I believe that publishers and writers will find a way to work with the changes we are seeing in the market. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s a really interesting prospect–that paper books will exist and be used primarily for shared reading experiences, and individual reading will be done on e-books. I can see that.
I just keep thinking about how boring the interiors of everyone’s homes are going to be if people no longer fill them with books.
Kristen Lamb has posted suggestions for how publishers can creatively adapt to the digital age so that everyone- publishers, books sellers, authors, and readers- wins. Check it out at: http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/bracing-for-impact-the-future-of-big-publishing-in-the-new-paradigm/
Yes, the situation does raise concerns. But the Kristen Lamb’s blog post has good advice for writers with fears like you describe. Check it out. Thanks!
Oh this scares me too! I need the physical book. I adore walking into a bookstore and was so sad to see Borders close. I also worry, as an author, how this affects everything from trying to get published, trying to earn a living, trying to have a piece of it. Save the books!
My house still LOVES real books! We do not own an e-reader and have no plans to purchase one any time soon. (Although I do admit- they do seem to have a lot of advantages and good aspects.) We have a Barnes & Noble nearby and we will be crushed if it closes. It is not uncommon for the three of us to wander in, browse for awhile, and leave with a big bag of books! It’s fun for us!
E-readers do have advantages- they are easier to travel with, which could definitely be a plus for your family. But, real books are best. Keep going to B & N!
No! We can’t live without bookstores! When I was little, one of my greatest joys was going up to bed and having my mom read “Goodnight Moon” or “Curious George” or “Oh My Baby Little One”. And now that I’m older, nothing (hint: e-books!) can ever replace the feeling of starting a new book, turning the pages, or seeing your bookmark move steadily through the book. Kindles can never replace books, and I hope we never have to choose one or another. Can’t both exist harmoniously? ~Michaela
Michaela, I want both to exist harmoniously as much as you do! I guess as long as we keep using “real” books, they’ll keep making them.
I love the bricks and mortar, so I want traditional bookstores to live on! The public libraries in Roanoke are going “coffee shop” and I hope that’s a trend across the country. Few things are more relaxing!
btw, love the new signature!
I like this “coffee shop” idea and hope it catches on! Thanks for the good news! And I wouldn’t have that signature without you, Blogmama! Thanks
I am so with you, Julia! I share your fears. A world without bookstore . . . I shudder to think of it.
I own a Kindle, and I purchase about 10% of my books on it. However, I still prefer to read a *real* book. I also have a habit of sitting in bookstores with huge stacks of books so I can figure out which ones I want to buy. I would be a little lost without that opportunity. Flipping through a short sample isn’t the same as holding a book in my hands.
Also, I teach reluctant readers, and the best way to get them into books is to give them opportunities to browse through a big collection. I’m afraid it will become near impossible to convert nonreaders if bookstores disappear.
So what can we do about this? Do we need to start a movement? Can you imagine living in a home without book-lined walls in every room? I simply can’t!
I can’t either Lori! I guess we have to keep buying and gifting books, and encouraging others to do the same! T
There is something warm and fuzzy about walking into a book store, even the “big one.” It is a supreme joy to take my grandchildren to Barnes and Noble for the afternoon, to enjoy sharing and visiting with old book friends. However, getting them out the door is a real problem.
At my age making good memories are so important. Technical devices are great educational tools, but seem so isolating. Touching a book and turning the pages is a loverly experience you can’t have with a kindle. But then I am older than dirt! Thanks for the great blog, Julia!
Exactly- we need to turn REAL pages with kids. Technology has its place, but it shouldn’t have everything. Don’t suggest that your age should discount your opinion- I fully agree with you and I’m sure others, of all ages, do too!