I, too, agree with the sentiment! And while I have occasionally succumbed to the lure of the e-stores for the sake of convenience (i.e. not having to go out in the cold and wet) and selection, there is nothing like being able to hold the product in your hand and peruse it at your liesure. And the experience of carefully searching the shelves for an unknown treasure cannot be matched with a search engine no matter how efficient. I feel for you, Ryan, I feel for you!
Problem is; not too many people read books. When they do, it’s mostly trashy paperbacks that they buy at the supermarket. Or, they kindle them on-line. Sorry to say, The Internet is the Wal-Mart of the literary world.
It is the curse of the literate to watch as our society gets dumbed down by television, e-books, and other ephemera. There is nothing to compare to the feel of a real book in your hands, or the smell of a bookstore.
Support your local bookstore! Support your local library!
DCS: I agree about the sensory experience of books, bookstores and libraries. But the electronic books have their place, too. In my case, for when I’m on the bus, and don’t want to risk damaging a library book; and also for reading classic literature for free, courtesy of those nice people at Project Gutenberg – mainly because I’m an impoverished retail employee and can only afford to visit Goodwill rather than Barnes & Noble. Were it not for PG, I’d miss out again on classic works that I didn’t have the good sense to read when I was younger.
Wow, my head’s spinning from being all serious. I need to draw a comic, now 😀
My favorite tshirt says “Who needs drugs? I go broke buying books!” I spend more money in half-price books than just about any place else, and it’s money well spent.
Salinas has no bookstore. I writhe in pain at this. I cannot go to the “local bookstore” … the only locally owned bookstore is 20 miles away in Monterey (Book Haven… which I call Book Maven in the strip)… Borders is the only other one slightly closer. I am appalled at this situation and I long to open a bookstore (with coffeehouse) someday… (ya know, when I’m rich and famous). I do use Hamazon… but… there are other options… Powell’s in Portland… they do online booking as well.
And I agree…. there is nothing like holding a book, cradling it in your hands and turning the pages at leisure. Sigh. I have a library of books…. mostly art books and things related.
I agree completely. As nice as online bookstores are for getting titles you can’t seem to find in your area, NOTHING can beat a real live bookstore.
I’ve been going to the one in town since I was a baby, it’s my second home. And locally owned :)!
I, too, agree with the sentiment! And while I have occasionally succumbed to the lure of the e-stores for the sake of convenience (i.e. not having to go out in the cold and wet) and selection, there is nothing like being able to hold the product in your hand and peruse it at your liesure. And the experience of carefully searching the shelves for an unknown treasure cannot be matched with a search engine no matter how efficient. I feel for you, Ryan, I feel for you!
Ah, sic transit gloria mundi…
If Ryan goes on that Hamazon site, he’ll have one of those Kindling electronic book readers before you know it 😉
I *never* would… mainly because I’ve got a PocketPC to read my books on 🙂
Mark, who *does* still prefer to curl up with a proper book 🙂
Problem is; not too many people read books. When they do, it’s mostly trashy paperbacks that they buy at the supermarket. Or, they kindle them on-line. Sorry to say, The Internet is the Wal-Mart of the literary world.
It is the curse of the literate to watch as our society gets dumbed down by television, e-books, and other ephemera. There is nothing to compare to the feel of a real book in your hands, or the smell of a bookstore.
Support your local bookstore! Support your local library!
DCS: I agree about the sensory experience of books, bookstores and libraries. But the electronic books have their place, too. In my case, for when I’m on the bus, and don’t want to risk damaging a library book; and also for reading classic literature for free, courtesy of those nice people at Project Gutenberg – mainly because I’m an impoverished retail employee and can only afford to visit Goodwill rather than Barnes & Noble. Were it not for PG, I’d miss out again on classic works that I didn’t have the good sense to read when I was younger.
Wow, my head’s spinning from being all serious. I need to draw a comic, now 😀
My favorite tshirt says “Who needs drugs? I go broke buying books!” I spend more money in half-price books than just about any place else, and it’s money well spent.
Salinas has no bookstore. I writhe in pain at this. I cannot go to the “local bookstore” … the only locally owned bookstore is 20 miles away in Monterey (Book Haven… which I call Book Maven in the strip)… Borders is the only other one slightly closer. I am appalled at this situation and I long to open a bookstore (with coffeehouse) someday… (ya know, when I’m rich and famous). I do use Hamazon… but… there are other options… Powell’s in Portland… they do online booking as well.
And I agree…. there is nothing like holding a book, cradling it in your hands and turning the pages at leisure. Sigh. I have a library of books…. mostly art books and things related.
Well, Ryan is sure being hammy about it 🙂
I’d rather see a bit of ham from someone than them going off on a manic episode and getting themselves arrested… Just another $0.02 from me 🙂
Mark (that’s MY excuse and I’m sticking to it…)