Have you stopped buying physical books?
Not so far in the future i would guess physical books will be a thing of the past, i have a Kindle it's fantastic.
In China.....and some poverty stricken child will find it and pretend he's playing a video game .
Borders had the chance to invest in eReaders, but they still think people want to haul around heavy books with them. Barns & Nobel is next to go.
I have been saying this for the past year . . . first newspapers move online, then music, then movie rentals, and now books.
The world is changing. Some people want to desperately hold on to the past, but it will just slip through their fingers. You either change with the world, or get left behind.
My Kindle paid for itself with all the free classics and contemporary books one can get for it, but I still enjoy hard covers of favorite authors, many biographies (because they usually have photos), art books, and it's an absolute necessity to buy books on subjects like Photoshop in physical form.
I don't think physical books are going to go away any time soon, and I'm glad about that. But my Kindle does relieve some of the stress of owning and storing hundreds of books, and allows one to have a nice, easy-to-read and access library in the palm of your hand.
Not only books are going but News Papers, Magazines, US Post Office, Land Phone lines, Watches, Video Stores, and a lot of brick and mortar stores. The physical stores are eating each other alive with their cut throat mentality. The Walmarts & Targets are doing it to themselves! Their competitors might benefit at first but eventually most will go the way of the dinosaur!
Honestly - They kind of deserve it.
Real books are the only way to go. They are owner-repairable, do not need re-charging, paperbacks fit in the pocket, they do not die if they get a little wet, and reading off an e-screen gives me headaches.
People can't seem to be satisfied with something that isn't computerized, digitized or high def. I will stick with my books, if I can't get to a bookstore I can get them at a library for free. Kindle that.
My dad won a Kindle in a PostNet drawing last Christmas and I do not see what they fuss about them is about, they aren't even back lit. I can't read the damn thing, for one because it gives me headaches (dunno why I sit in front of a computer almost 90% of the time) and I just can not get immersed in the book on them.
Old books have a certain smell to them, anytime I pick up one of my old Redwall books to read it I get that smell and it just adds to the immersion, don't ask me why because it is still a mystery to me as well xD.
Losers use Kindle...people who hate books use Kindle. Peple who have no concern for what authors pay out vs. what they receive use Kindle.
You mean their competitors who were better will pick up their business? Their closure won't usher in the apocalypse? They don't need a bailout? What a novel way of thinking, apparently Borders wasn't politically well-connected enough.
I would hope not. While technology is great, there is no guarantee your kindle is going to work all the time. If you drop it, and it broke or if the batteries die while you're in flight I guess you'll do without??? I like being able to read when I want to.
"Real books are the only way to go"
Agreed, Neale. Those boxes and boxes of books I pack when I move are numerous, but so many good memories and great stories. There is nothing like holding a book in your hands, turning the pages, reading. Like you, looking at a screen gives me eyestrain after a while.
I have literally 25 cases of books. On a cold winter night (and there are LOTS here!!) I pull out a box, dump it on the floor and graze the reading of yesteryear. I love the smell, feel, and look of the old books. The cover art, the reviews and synopsis on the back, hell, even reading the cover price and printing date are often neat to read.
I have found that real books are superior to Kindle in only one way. They make better kindling. I suspect with the digital lending that libraries are starting to do soon they too will begin to disappear. An online database should be much cheaper to maintain than a bunch of old dusty warehouses, so I hope this switch is coming soon.
I am shocked to hear this. Everytime I go to Borders they are packed and there is always a pretty big line in the checkout.
#2 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:42 AM ESTOur local Borders is always full. There is a Barnes and Noble right down the street, but the staff are rude and I can't find what I want. I think I've been in there twice. I like going to Borders for magazines and children's books. They have a great children's area in our store and my 2 year old loves to go there. Sad to hear they are not doing so well. Hope they keep ours open.
#3 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:54 AM ESTI agree, I have found the staff at Borders much more friendly and helpful than B&N. Looking over the list of closures, I see 1 of the 2 Borders that I most frequently visit is closing, and with a B&N practically across the street, you know B&N will benefit. A third Borders that I occasionally visit in a nearby town is closing also.
I agree with you guys, too. I hate Barnes & Noble. I usually go to Schuler's or independent book stores!
My daughter ( a college student ) and I go to Borders every week. We never leave without buying books. We always look through the shelves and think about what we will buy there the next time. We both hate Barnes and Nobles. It doesn't have the right atmosphere. It is too noisy.
#4 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:56 AM ESTBesides listening to books through Audible, I tend to get used books through Amazon. I'm not paying $35 for a book when I can get a slightly used book for $7 including shipping.
#6 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:25 AM ESThtcofottawa, You might want to look locally for a book exchange. Much cheper than used online books.
Bennett Lebow, don't you know, he is a corp. raider... he buys companies and raids them... check his history, look back at what he did to MAI Basic Four and others over the years... no wonder Borders will be gone... he bleeds companies till they are dead! Amazing..
#7 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:34 AM ESTAs a former employee of Borders, and former resident of A2, I am saddened by this news. If you look at B+N's recent customer satisfaction rating, they are not the place to buy books! Borders set the standard, and, sadly, will die a slow death based in part, on the standards they set. Good bye, old friend!
#8 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:35 AM ESTWe'll miss you ! Borders was a nice place to hang out, but e-books are very convenient and useful, and unfortunately for Borders, the future....
Barnes and Noble will eventually take a hit. Amazon and Walmart will win this war!
Borders, like Boston Market, is a classic case of too much, too soon. Management thought that the combination bookstore/cafe idea had limitless growth potential. Now the limits have been way exceeded. The debts are almost unpayable. I enjoy going to Borders myself -- the selection is marvelous -- but only further downsizing will lift it out of Chapter 11.
#9 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:37 AM ESTI worked for Hastings- and we did our ever-lovin' best to try and kill B&N and Borders when we went head to head (not to mention Blockbuster)! Guess it finally worked!
Or more to the point- if you hire expensive execs that don't know how books work- it's hard to imagine how they could navigate the e-world that we are being forced into. Plus- if you don't pay your bills- they shut the lights off!
#10 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:47 AM ESTAs much as it disgusts me that the age-old pass-time of reading a book has now become digital, I'm afraid that Egon said it best in the first Ghostbusters movie: "Print is dead."
#11 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:50 AM ESTwho needs to read, just listen to limbaugh and you know everything you need to know. Looks like another business and a big one this time falls to walmart, soon they will own everything!!
#12 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:01 PM ESTYou mean th Wal Mart that seems to think it can judge what people should read? Or the music they listen to? No thanks.
Are you being serious or is this sarcasm? Please say the latter.
I repeat, as a fellow commenter stated, " a cup of coffee and a computer . . " -- give me a break . . .
#14 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:06 PM ESTWhen it comes to books, I have one foot in the tech world and the other in the traditional world. I enjoy the convenience of having my ereader when I travel b/c I can carry hundreds of books weighing less than a pound. However, when I'm not travelling, I would reach for the "real" book, as I like the tactile feel and the smell of the books. I tend to read slower and savor the story when I read a paperback or hardcover, so although I appreciate the convenience and accessibility of e-books, I will choose the traditional physical book if given the option.
#15 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:07 PM ESTKnowing now that one of Borders investors is run by an activist answers a lot of questions.
Most of the front store displays were liberal political books and when I complained to corporate I was essentialy told to stick it.
Borders could not be satisfied with being a book store, they clearly were making political statements as well.
Isn't the only reason they are failing but at least provides one reason for their demise. I and many others I know haven't purchased a book there in years. I buy from B&N, Amazon, Sam's, Airports and others. Never Borders.
#16 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:08 PM ESTBlaming this on liberals? Because the Palin books wasn't in the front window? puh-lease!
What about your local independent bookseller? Gone? Put out of business by the predatory practices of megastores? Now your choices are limited to the cookie-cutter chains and the discounters who only pay attention to bestseller lists. Support your local independent merchants or they will be gone forever and your choices will become fewer and fewer...
RH, your comments are complete nonsense! Lebow is a financial investor, not a political entity. I guarantee you that neither he, nor Ackman had any care whatsoever for what went into any front window or front table.
I worked for Borders for many years and I can tell you that there was no political discrimination in what went on display. Do you think for a minute that Borders does not want to sell a book and pocket the profits because it is liberal or conservative in nature? They don't give a rat's ass! All they care about is that you buy the book. They don't' care which book. Any book you buy is sweet to them.
And many people don't understand that it is not Borders really who dictates what is displayed in the store. They have working arrangements with the publishers to display this or that. It is a system of retail that is referred to as "category management". This is a complex and convoluted relationship between retailer and provider where, in essence, the provider (publisher) owns/rents/ controls the shelf space. There is no one at Borders deciding on the where or what of every book. Nor, is there any political agenda in this retail book business. Borders, Barnes, none of them have absolutely anything to gain by being political in any way, fashion, or form! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO GAIN!
We used to encounter the right wing people who were never satisfied and always paranoid that Coulter and her ilk were being shorted. It was just pure fantasy nonsense! They would come into the store just ranting and raving. Most would rant to the store employees, as if they had any say about where or what with a book display. What delusional craziness!!!
They don't care what you buy, as long as you buy,buy, buy!!!
I grew up with the print media. I read everything I can get my hands on and will buy books and mags. as long as I can.
I recieved a NOOK for Christmas and I like it. It is just great. It travles well, takes up very little room, and can be taken almost anywhere,(no water) a bath with one is not a good idea.
Libr. around the country are begg. to lend E_Books, this makes them, E_Readers very very good and cheap. No book to return, no fines. I truley hope that this format catches on in every city.
That being said, it is sad to see another book store go under. What a loss to our children and grand children.
When my little grandchildren would come for a visit, the first thig out of thier mouth was, Grandpa, read to me. During periods of bad weather a trip to a book store would fill an afternoon. What a loss this will be. Very sad..... louis
#17 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:13 PM ESTI like used books... In this economy, many reader simply can't afford to pay the high retail cost of bookls. Even if the books are discounted by 10% to 20% they may still be to much for many people. And when they knock the prices down to 50% they are not making any profit. I go to Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble and look for used books. Many used books are in great shape and they are affordable for me. The market for new books has shrunk and Borders has to change their busines plan, their product lines and downsize in order to survive. The ebook sector may be growing, but you can't curl up with an ebook like you can with a paper book. 50 years ago ebooks were science fiction....
#18 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:17 PM ESTThe comments about "The book is part of the experience!!!!"
Can we get anymore estrogen in the expression??
Its a lot like people felt about their vinyl and their 8 tracks...
The horse and buggy of the literary world is slightly in the past.
Grow up and move on. Jesus.
>
#19 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:19 PM ESTEBooks are just the latest fad. You can't (or shouldn't) use them at the beach (might get damaged by sand) can't leave them on your chair poolside (might get stolen). You buy a physical, old-fashioned book, read it, lend it to friends, then pass it on to your local library, school, hospital, or old folks home. One physical book can benefit many, many people.
#20 - Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:31 PM ESTBoth types have their place. Real books are awesome, and you're right, but eBooks are also awesome and great for most places BUT the beach. At home, at work, on long drives, when travelling, etc.... The are simply super convenient.
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I am not that sad the Borders is going. They killed a lot of good bookstores along the way. Their quality has gone down in recent years.