Amy Sue Nathan

Books and stuff

Yesterday I went to Borders – the only book store around for miles.  Honestly, I usually buy my books from Amazon because it’s cheaper and because, in these times of penny-pinching, I can also buy used books.  I’ve also taken to going to the library because I’ve found — much to my amazement — that it’s just like a bookstore except the books are free and you have to return what you read.  In efforts to reduce stuff and expenditures – it’s a win-win.  The trouble is waiting for books.  I’m not good at waiting if there’s a book I want to start NOW.  Hence, Amazon and bookstores.

My trip to Borders was so I could pick up a magazine, book, bookmark, booklight, pen or doo-dad for my daughter who’s away at overnight camp.  I email her daily (she can’t email back) and I mail her a padded envelope of goofy goodness about every-other day.

I was greeted even before I entered the store with clearance tables strewn with journals and pens and books and hair accessories.

Hair accessories?

Yes, but they were not shaped like books or characters.  They were floral or ice creamy and sparkly.  Nothing appropriate for a fourteen year old yet the oddity stuck with me as if I carried them in my hands.

I ventured into the store and was greeted by books, books and more books.  Discounted hardcovers, new paperbacks.

But there was a notable airiness in the store.  Space.  Things were rearranged since my last visit and there were many more clearance tables and racks and racks and shelves and shelves of stuff.

Not book stuff, just stuff.

Toy animals like in a toy store — and not just ones that were the characters from children’s books.  More cards and pens  than I remember seeing before.  Tote bags, bandages, umbrellas, toys, jewelry.

For my purposes it was a sheer delight.  I was able to get not only clearance stickers, a magazine, a book and an action figure of Edward Cullen for my daughter — but I was able to get stationary at 40% off and a cute little plush bumble bee. If I was allowed to send my daughter food, I’d have had dozens and dozens of choices.

Not that I didn’t enjoy my visit, but It felt more like a department store than a book store.  I know that Borders has hit hard times and has even reduced the number of books they purchase for sale. Perhaps the stuffness of the store lures non-readers to the store the way the cafe does. But does it make people buy books?

I bought one book for my daughter and none for me -knowing that I have one ARC on the kitchen counter waiting for me to crack it open, and knowing that if I want a new book I can buy it cheaper on Amazon.

So while I had a bag full of goodies when I left – and felt satisfied that I’d stimulated the economy in my effort to surprise my daughter at camp – my lack of book purchases probably just means that against my will, I’m part of the problem.