Reading books, newspapers, magazines--anything I can get my hands on has always been my primary passion, as it has been for most of my friends. (It is a prerequisite that my friends MUST read.) There are few greater pleasures.
When I was growing up in Whittier, we were fortunate to have six bookstores in our little college town, as well as dozens in the surrounding communities. A fun day out with my mother or my friends consisted of going out to breakfast or lunch, then spending the rest of the day making the rounds of the independent and used bookstores. It was fun to roam the stacks of books, hide in a corner and peruse each one, deciding which ones to purchase, then, chat for hours with the other patrons and store owners about what was on the shelves, what they'd recently read, what they wanted to read, and how books had changed (and often given meaning) to their lives. At the end of the day, we would scamper home with the treasures we'd gathered that day...usually, a haul of a dozen or so books of all genres--histories, modern and classical fiction, science, biographies, science fiction and fantasy, and poetry. Once home, each book was lovingly caressed and carefully added to our own bulging shelves, in anticipation of the experience, knowledge, and joy each little package would bring to our lives.
Those days are becoming a distant memory, as, sadly, most independent and used bookstores closed their doors with the arrival of the likes of Borders and the newly-expanded Barnes and Noble stores. These huge convenience stores gave Americans a new way to shop by offering all categories of books, magazines, music, movies, and games under the same roof, and the little guys didn't stand a chance. These new, brightly lit venues offered a dizzying array of newly published EVERYTHING, and a coffee bar. Many of us turned our backs on the old guard and gave our money to these corporate booksellers.
Then came the Internet, and along with it, Amazon. Amazon enticed readers with the convenience of shopping for the latest bestsellers from our desktops...without ever leaving the house or office. They offered great deals, so that most of us were previewing books at Borders or Barnes & Noble, then purchasing them online. (Guilty, guilty, guilty!) Then, between competition from Internet vendors and their own foolish notion of offering "everything under one roof," we are now witnessing the gutting of most of the brick and mortar bookstores. (Border has, in fact, filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating its stock this week.)
Ironically, as California legislators are proposing a tax on Internet sales in the state, Amazon (and several other Internet vendors) are citing a 1992 US Supreme Court ruling that states that cyber-merchants (there's an antiquated phrase) cannot be required to collect sales taxes without a physical presence (storefront/warehouse/office) in that state. Amazon reps claim the that if the company levied taxes, it would not remain "competitive" and "protect" jobs. However, by not collecting taxes, they have held a huge advantage over their brick and mortar competitors.
And now, our bookstores have vastly decreased in number. Publishing houses, too. Soon, few people will be able to experience the complete and serene joy of browsing for hours among bulging shelves of books on every topic...caressing each tome, enjoying the heady smell of old paper and ink (with a hint of mildew). Everyone now reads through their E-media forums (Kindle, Nook, E-Books)...
But that is a rant for another day.
When I was growing up in Whittier, we were fortunate to have six bookstores in our little college town, as well as dozens in the surrounding communities. A fun day out with my mother or my friends consisted of going out to breakfast or lunch, then spending the rest of the day making the rounds of the independent and used bookstores. It was fun to roam the stacks of books, hide in a corner and peruse each one, deciding which ones to purchase, then, chat for hours with the other patrons and store owners about what was on the shelves, what they'd recently read, what they wanted to read, and how books had changed (and often given meaning) to their lives. At the end of the day, we would scamper home with the treasures we'd gathered that day...usually, a haul of a dozen or so books of all genres--histories, modern and classical fiction, science, biographies, science fiction and fantasy, and poetry. Once home, each book was lovingly caressed and carefully added to our own bulging shelves, in anticipation of the experience, knowledge, and joy each little package would bring to our lives.
Those days are becoming a distant memory, as, sadly, most independent and used bookstores closed their doors with the arrival of the likes of Borders and the newly-expanded Barnes and Noble stores. These huge convenience stores gave Americans a new way to shop by offering all categories of books, magazines, music, movies, and games under the same roof, and the little guys didn't stand a chance. These new, brightly lit venues offered a dizzying array of newly published EVERYTHING, and a coffee bar. Many of us turned our backs on the old guard and gave our money to these corporate booksellers.
Then came the Internet, and along with it, Amazon. Amazon enticed readers with the convenience of shopping for the latest bestsellers from our desktops...without ever leaving the house or office. They offered great deals, so that most of us were previewing books at Borders or Barnes & Noble, then purchasing them online. (Guilty, guilty, guilty!) Then, between competition from Internet vendors and their own foolish notion of offering "everything under one roof," we are now witnessing the gutting of most of the brick and mortar bookstores. (Border has, in fact, filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating its stock this week.)
Ironically, as California legislators are proposing a tax on Internet sales in the state, Amazon (and several other Internet vendors) are citing a 1992 US Supreme Court ruling that states that cyber-merchants (there's an antiquated phrase) cannot be required to collect sales taxes without a physical presence (storefront/warehouse/office) in that state. Amazon reps claim the that if the company levied taxes, it would not remain "competitive" and "protect" jobs. However, by not collecting taxes, they have held a huge advantage over their brick and mortar competitors.
And now, our bookstores have vastly decreased in number. Publishing houses, too. Soon, few people will be able to experience the complete and serene joy of browsing for hours among bulging shelves of books on every topic...caressing each tome, enjoying the heady smell of old paper and ink (with a hint of mildew). Everyone now reads through their E-media forums (Kindle, Nook, E-Books)...
But that is a rant for another day.
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