Not only is this sort of creepy in a B&N OWNS THE WORLD NOW way, it's drastically cutting down on the number of places people can physically browse books. I don't know about you, but one of the best things about buying books for me is stumbling on new titles by accident. How are you supposed to stumble on new titles on Amazon? They suggest things for you, but none of the suggestions are random.
Also, plenty of bad news for new writers, who depend a lot of random stumbling, since without a fan base, nobody's technically looking for them. This will definitely make marketing even more important before the release date. You could've written a jewel of a book, but if nobody reads it, benefit from word-of-mouth will be minimal. Those books that don't get a lot of promotion from their publishers — you were shit out of luck before, and it's going to be even worse now. No matter what is said about its failing state, Borders was a major chain. The complete eradication of its units is going to have a pretty substantial effect. Apparently, B&N is considering buying some of Borders' old locations, which I guess is the best news we can conceivably expect from this situation.
It's being tossed around that books are going the way of records, in that eventually, they're just going to go away. I hope that isn't true, but how can we say for sure? I will always prefer physical copies, but that doesn't mean the next generation will.
I have a lot of wonderful memories from Borders; it was where all the high school kids hung out and did their homework. There are definitely some sentimental feelings toward the stores on my part, not purely practical ones. I usually avoided giving my business to B&N, just because I liked Borders better. And for the first time, I won't be able to buy a Percy Jackson book from Borders. I'll have to get SON OF NEPTUNE from B&N in October.
Sad day for authors, readers, and the industry in general. But especially for me.
You'll be missed, Borders.
I have to agree with you, Xixi. I have always enjoyed going to Borders, so I'll have to find a new place to spend my book dollars. It's a true tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI feel you! :( I was so thrilled when a Borders opened up in my local mall, and right next to the movie theater too! It gave me somewhere to whittle the time away before movie showings and to always browse books. That's where I go when I'm just bored or want to see what's out. I don't know. I've just never really liked the way B&Ns are laid out, and for some reason, Borders has always felt more welcoming to me.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sad and I'll be way sadder when the one in my mall closes. I have so many sentimental attachments there - the biggest being my sister winning a copy of Half-Blood Prince at midnight on release day!
I loved Borders. RIP. :(
ReplyDeleteI stand guilty for using e-books. I have limited time to go to my local bookstore (it's so far away) so I just browse in the internet for new book releases.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Borders closing. We don't have a chain here in our country, but it seems like that store had been a really great deal (saw it first in The Freedom Writers movie) and I agree with you about book shopping never being the same again. I'd be a total wreck if NB and Powerbooks, our country's major bookstores, would close.
Hope B&N wouldn't be too much of a disappointment.
This is rather late, I know, but I felt like adding:
ReplyDeleteIf books are going the way of records, then they'll never disappear entirely. There are still people who swear that music sounds better on vinyl, just as (I believe) there will always be those who love the feel of paper under their fingertips, the smell of a new (or an old) book, and the serenity of library stacks.
That said, it is sad that borders is closing, although I did prefer B&N in the first place. It's a sign that publishing is changing, and soon I might end up wishing I'd gotten a book published "back in the good old days".