Are the bookstores really going out of business?

[shelly blomker]

I've been reading things that others have been writing about, that some bookstores have been going out of business. I don't think it has that much to do with people not buying the books there. Because of the things that have been happening over the last few years, I'm not surprised that some business have been having problems.

Being that I buy my books mostly threw Barnes and Noble online. I wouldn't want to see them go out of business any time soon. Being that I've decided to keep my book blog up and running for the next five years or so.

 

But, what so you think is the cause of some of the bookstores going out of business? Are people just not reading as much as they used too? I'm just cerious of what you guys think.

[Bri Meets Books]

Like, do we all want to stay in our houses all the time?!  Now Amazon will even be offering groceries.

[Talia Jager]

As much as I love eBooks and eReaders, I don't want the bookstores to close. I absolutely love getting lost in one. Although, my husband sure winces when he sees me walk to the front of one with my arms overflowing with books - because I can't just choose a couple. 

I know my kids don't read as much as I used to. I have to force my oldest to read and then I'm more afraid she'll hate reading if I make her do it. My 10 year old loves it, but she likes reading part of one book and then moving on and keeps going like that. I end up refusing to buy her more books until the ones she has are finished. 

 

My husband and I both love reading, so I do hope that we wear off on them.

[Carolyn Hittle]

I'm not educated enough on the "whys" of bookstores are going out of business(i have an opinion but care to not go into it)...what I do want to say is...

It would be a sad sad day when bookstores are no longer available...I prefer going to a bookstore to purchase my books.  I'm a book smeller and love covers/jackets.  There is something about picking up a book and thumbing through the pages, smelling it...and checking out the front cover/jacket.  I can not get that experience from ordering online.(not by touch/smell anyway)  I have, on occasion bought online for reasons of re-ordering a book or I'm pressed for time/my schedule is too busy to visit a bookstore...but, 95% of my buying is actually visiting a bookstore.  Recently, I have implemented used books for sale into my beauty salon...the only way you can purchase them from me is to visit my boutique...I give back the same to other booksellers.  I pray it stays that way for generations to come.

[Lacey Reah]

I can think of 3 reasons:

1) People ARE reading less books. People read more blogs online, go on facebook, and play video games for fun.  They also have computers that download e-books.  Before the technology age, books were a huge form of entertainment.  Now there are many more choices.

2)The world is changing and the bookstores are not adapting.  For example, Hollywood Video went out of business due to netflix becoming big.  Blockbuster was smart enough to start offering the same services as netflix and were able to stay in the game.  Amazon offers used and new books at a click of the button.  The bookstores still have the same business model.  They sell new books at full price.  They have no used book section or recycling policy.  Most mainstream corporations are very rigid.  In an every changing world, where independent publishing, record labels and movie making have become a mainstream source of entertainment, this needs to change.  I can order my book from Barnes and Noble online, but when I called the store, they said they didn't have it.  If I can't order the book from the store, what's the point of having a store at all?

3)The economy has declined in general.  Unemployment is up which means people don't spend as much money.  Those who still have jobs are saving just in case they will lose it.  Because of this, more people are hitting the libraries and used bookstores over mainstream new bookstores.  Perhaps, if the economy gets better, this will turn around.

[Isiah Hurts]

thats what im saying if i can find the books i want in stores then whats the point

[Ms.Tiptress]

I would be devastated if this happens. B&N is my favorite book store in the whole wide world (besides little second hand stores I find). So I sure hope not.

 

But I think it may be people may not have the time to read. Because of our economy many have to work hours upon hours upon hours to take care of the family.

 

And another big one. This new epidemic of Ereading. So many people have E-readers now and no need for books.

 

So I don't think the stores will shut down, but they will just all have only E-books available. I'm begging the stores to please not forget about us lonely people that only read paper books.

[shelly blomker]

I have always loved the paper book. But, I guess when I become rich enough to buy a ebook reader I will. I buy books from walmart as will as barnes and noble because some books I can't find at walmart. If barnes and noble was to shut their online store down, I would be guite sad. I use the site to also add to my booklist of books to get and read for my blog.

[Audry Fryer]

I'm noticing that bookstores that sell books made of paper are downsizing or going out of business.  But it's not the end of bookstores, simply a transformation to virtual.  People are reading as much as they used to, if not more.  We're at the beginning of a fascinating shift.  As with any change, there's anxiety and dispute.  But, I know one thing for sure.  There'll always be writers and people willing to read their work.  How that exchange takes place is evolving as we speak.

[DG Publishing]

Times are always changing, but we predict the future as not so bleak. Were just changing and adapting, but we don't think we'll lose physical books. Take this awesome article from http://www.dvorkin.com/pod.htm

 

 "Indeed, some people are predicting a time, not far off, when bookstores will have only sample copies of books on their shelves. If you thumb through a book and like it, you won't buy that copy. Instead, the bookstore will order one up for you via POD. From the machine in the back of the store, let's hope."

 

Or maybe even ebooks? What if they become the samples instead of the physical book, and then you order up a POD when you find one you like and take it right home afterward?

 

That sounds like a more pleasing future. That article was updated in 2002, and many things are sure to have changed in almost ten years. Still, no matter what, books will survive. Have faith, mankind is on to new technology but when it comes to physical books, there is still no exception. Ebooks aren't the only future, POD is too. Don't forget one and not the other.:)

[Eric Maywar]

The Value of Bookstores

 

More and more, people are enabled in their insularity—enabled by home entertainment systems and by the computer.  They can shop from home, watch movies at home, play games by themselves. 

People can connect with other people online at home, but in shorter and short exchanges, as if conversation was a painting smashed into a million pieces—two sentences here, 140 words there, a “like” button. 

 

For the rest of the article, click here:  http://www.classicsusedbooks.com/?p=442

[Isiah Hurts]

times have change, i remember back when i was little i had to go to the laundry mat to play mrs, pacman now i can play it on my phone.