Chatter in bookstore- next generations

[shootingstar]

.....yes, I must be an outlier here in this forum, to cool my heels at a bookstore.     Bookstores, bike shops and art supply stores are my fave type of stores.

For the lst time in many months (I drop by a bookstore every 2-4 months), there were lots of young folks cruising on the floor in store, It was an independent store. At least 1-2 generations younger: they were browsing, chatting, etc.  Happy, thinking place.

Usually in past I find it's solo folks or 2 people who came together but separately exploring books in different sections, so the conversations drifting around usually is just store clerks with customers.

[shootingstar]

Clearly I visit exotic places if no one knows what to say to above post.   

 

[dinneR ★]

17 hours ago, shootingstar said:

Clearly I visit exotic places if no one knows what to say to above post.   

 

Bookstores are not exotic places and you are not an outlier for visiting one. It's just a store that sells books or bikes or both.

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

I like browsing through bookstores. I’ve visited a few famous ones in my travels. Hatchards in Piccadilly while I was visiting London. The Book Loft of the German Village in Columbus (the Athens of Ohio). Kramer Books in Washington DC. I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg there but didn’t bother her because you don’t bother people in bookstores. 

[shootingstar]

36 minutes ago, Old No. 7 said:

I like browsing through bookstores. I’ve visited a few famous ones in my travels. Hatchards in Piccadilly while I was visiting London. The Book Loft of the German Village in Columbus (the Athens of Ohio). Kramer Books in Washington DC. I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg there but didn’t bother her because you don’t bother people in bookstores. 

You are right not to bother the famed RBG.  I worked in a bookstore, well 3 different locations and we would not bother people while they were browsing happily away. Sure, when they would come up to pay, there might be friendly light chat.

Elliot Bay Books in Seattle is another that's wonderful to visit. They have some smaller publishers which Canadian bookstores don't ship in for inventory unless special order.

1 hour ago, dinneR said:

Bookstores are not exotic places and you are not an outlier for visiting one. It's just a store that sells books or bikes or both.

I forgot, you are a book fiend/friend.    I personally find it more satisfying to browse amongst titles in a bookstore, I wouldn't even think of wandering into such sections online.  A database or latest release is often to long to do it online.

[dinneR ★]

10 minutes ago, shootingstar said:

You are right not to bother the famed RBG.  I worked in a bookstore, well 3 different locations and we would not bother people while they were browsing happily away. Sure, when they would come up to pay, there might be friendly light chat.

Elliot Bay Books in Seattle is another that's wonderful to visit. They have some smaller publishers which Canadian bookstores don't ship in for inventory unless special order.

I forgot, you are a book fiend/friend.    I personally find it more satisfying to browse amongst titles in a bookstore, I wouldn't even think of wandering into such sections online.  A database or latest release is often to long to do it online.

I don't read e-books unless it's the only option. I think I have checked out fewer than five e-books from the library in my lifetime. Usually, it's because the print copy is checked out and I need to have the book read by a deadline. I've never purchased an e-book.

I rarely order books online. I ordered a few last week from a friend who self-published some. He's a good friend and has done a lot for me over the years. He told me he sells to bookstores, but if they buy his books through a distributor he doesn't make any money, so I ordered three books and a t-shirt. 

I shop at two local stores when I want to buy a book. I don't buy from amazon. I don't discourage others from using amazon, it's just not my thing.

I'm certain I've spent more time in bookstores than the combined total of everyone on this site. I'm sure I've owned more books than the combined total of everyone here as well. That's not me bragging, it's just a fact.

[Zephyr]

If you only go to bookstores every 2-4 months, you visit them way less frequently than I do.

They are about the only type of retail store I will go into without knowing exactly what I want to buy.

[Wilbur ★]

21 hours ago, shootingstar said:

Clearly I visit exotic places if no one knows what to say to above post.   

 

Or the OP was framed in such a way people didn't know how to respond.  

[shootingstar]

3 hours ago, Zephyr said:

If you only go to bookstores every 2-4 months, you visit them way less frequently than I do.

They are about the only type of retail store I will go into without knowing exactly what I want to buy.

It is rare I go into a bookstore with a specific title in mind. For me, that's the point of going into a bookstore...is to allow oneself to be open to look at books, one normally wouldn't even consider online, or even thought of the subject matter.  Going online is too many long lists and clicking alot, then you lose track what you saw 15 min. ago unless one does screen captures or temp. bookmarks.  I should know...as a former librarian who did book selection...online vs. paper lists/publishers catalogues.

3 hours ago, dinneR said:

I don't read e-books unless it's the only option. I think I have checked out fewer than five e-books from the library in my lifetime. Usually, it's because the print copy is checked out and I need to have the book read by a deadline. I've never purchased an e-book.

I rarely order books online. I ordered a few last week from a friend who self-published some. He's a good friend and has done a lot for me over the years. He told me he sells to bookstores, but if they buy his books through a distributor he doesn't make any money, so I ordered three books and a t-shirt. 

I shop at two local stores when I want to buy a book. I don't buy from amazon. I don't discourage others from using amazon, it's just not my thing.

I'm certain I've spent more time in bookstores than the combined total of everyone on this site. I'm sure I've owned more books than the combined total of everyone here as well. That's not me bragging, it's just a fact.

I haven't yet borrowed an e-book from any library yet. Never say never.

Right now, my head /eyes are tired from looking at computer screen, which was my whole work day today, including my instructional session and then, virtual meeting, plus working on documents that other people will be using.  And now here, on cafe.

Good thing I biked to and from work.  I have to exercise my eyesight.

I've never ordered a book or anything from Amazon --yet. I have ordered occasionally online, books ,which I have them sent direct to recipients as a gift. I've never done the e-book sending to the teens yet, since I know they live in households with real physical books. They wanted to borrow 2 books that they saw at my place and I gave them the books. I was pleased to do it.  

 

[dinneR ★]

6 minutes ago, shootingstar said:

It is rare I go into a bookstore with a specific title in mind. For me, that's the point of going into a bookstore...is to allow oneself to be open to look at books, one normally wouldn't even consider online or even thought of the subject matter.  Going online is too many long lists and clicking alot, then you lose track what you saw 15 min. ago unless one does screen captures or temp. bookmarks.  I should know...as a former librarian who did book selection...online.

I haven't yet borrowed an e-book from any library yet. Never say never.

Right now, my head /eyes are tired from looking at computer screen, which was my whole work day today, including my instructional session and then, virtual meeting, plus working on documents that other people will be using.  And now here, on cafe.

Good thing I biked to and from work.  I have to exercise my eyesight.

I've never ordered a book or anything from Amazon --yet. I have ordered occasionally online, books ,which I have them sent direct to recipients as a gift. I've never done the e-book sending to the teens yet, since I know they live in households with real physical books. They wanted to borrow 2 books that they saw at my place and I gave them the books. I was pleased to do it.  

 

I guess I don't understand how this makes you an outlier? Lots of us ride a bike to work. Lots of us shop in bookstores. 70% of books sold are physical not digital. Independent bookstores are flourishing. Most people go there to browse. This seems like pretty normal stuff. 

Now, owning a bookstore-that's crazy talk.

[shootingstar]

12 minutes ago, dinneR said:

I guess I don't understand how this makes you an outlier? Lots of us ride a bike to work. Lots of us shop in bookstores. 70% of books sold are physical not digital. Independent bookstores are flourishing. Most people go there to browse. This seems like pretty normal stuff. 

Now, owning a bookstore-that's crazy talk.

I'm still waiting for more people here in cafe, to add to this thread ... that they have actually walked into a bookstore in the past 12 months.  And if they haven't, that's fine too since they may not have time, no good bookstores in their area, or just prefer to buy /browse online.

Yes, alot of independent bookstores have folded up. The independents have to worker harder to offer more....author reading events, discussion group, etc.  I've been to 1-2 of them locally. Steering a discussion group with walk-in public, can be tricky and only for staff members who are good natural facilitators.

I"ve only been to 1 store that blended bikes, books and some coffee.  

[dinneR ★]

2 hours ago, shootingstar said:

I'm still waiting for more people here in cafe, to add to this thread ... that they have actually walked into a bookstore in the past 12 months.  And if they haven't, that's fine too since they may not have time, no good bookstores in their area, or just prefer to buy /browse online.

Yes, alot of independent bookstores have folded up. The independents have to worker harder to offer more....author reading events, discussion group, etc.  I've been to 1-2 of them locally. Steering a discussion group with walk-in public, can be tricky and only for staff members who are good natural facilitators.

I"ve only been to 1 store that blended bikes, books and some coffee.  

I said independent bookstores are flourishing not floundering. 

Only a fool would open a bookstore and try to pedal bikes at the same shop. 

[Scrapr ★]

Powell's City of books (Portland) is yuge. It's a city block & 4 or 5 floors. They have several smaller outlets in the 'burbs but downtown is best. They buy back books too but are more selective than they used to be (understandable) 

I was in earlier this year for a book reading on Death w Dignity. It was fine. I bought the book. I prefer e books from the library. Just easier for me to read than physical books. And there is a time limit so a little pressure to git er done

[sheep_herder ★]

12 hours ago, Old No. 7 said:

I like browsing through bookstores. I’ve visited a few famous ones in my travels. Hatchards in Piccadilly while I was visiting London. The Book Loft of the German Village in Columbus (the Athens of Ohio). Kramer Books in Washington DC. I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg there but didn’t bother her because you don’t bother people in bookstores. 

No Powells in Portland, OR?

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

1 hour ago, sheep_herder said:

No Powells in Portland, OR?

My travels never went through Portland. 

[maddmaxx ★]

At this point, because of my eyes, e books on my Fire are the best choice for me because I can enlarge the print to a comfortable size.  E books however put some limits on what you can buy as fewer non fiction topics are available.

[bikeman564™]

I miss book stores. I think there is a barns & noble aboot 8 miles from me, but I liked the smaller stores.

[Kzoo]

19 hours ago, Old No. 7 said:

I like browsing through bookstores. I’ve visited a few famous ones in my travels. Hatchards in Piccadilly while I was visiting London. The Book Loft of the German Village in Columbus (the Athens of Ohio). Kramer Books in Washington DC. I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg there but didn’t bother her because you don’t bother people in bookstores. 

Yeah, but did you ever stop at the world famous Monkey See Monkey Read Bookstore in Northfield MN?

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

8 minutes ago, Kzoo said:

Yeah, but did you ever stop at the world famous Monkey See Monkey Read Bookstore in Northfield MN?

No, but do remember Monkey. Cool guy.