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Demosthenes's avatar

Do you still go to bookstores?

Asked by Demosthenes (14935points) May 5th, 2021

Either to buy used or new books? I prefer used bookstores, but there are very few of them around. I can think of two that recently closed and a third that’s on its last legs. I will occasionally patronize a couple new bookstores, but I often find it hard to justify the expense. In either case, I continue to love books and will probably collect them for the rest of my life. Any other bibliophiles here?

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17 Answers

KNOWITALL's avatar

I haven’t for quite some time, but I love our local Barnes & Noble, along with a few other used bookstores. Several have closed in the last two years, so I’m not even sure what’s open anymore.

My reading has decreased during Covid, as I seek to be more active, so I’ve been reading more online. But of course I still have my classics and personal favorites on the shelf, including the hardcover Lassie books and others from my family, religious texts, etc….

janbb's avatar

They are few and far between but I’ve been working on moving away from Amazon’s seductive easiness. I try to patronize our local one when I can but I am also trying to reduce the number of books I own so I use the library as much as I can.

canidmajor's avatar

I will go in to suss out various titles and authors, but I mostly use my ereader now, it’s much easier for me than paper. I do love bookstores, but I spent over a decade working in various ones, so the romance of the process kinda went out of it for me. Nowadays, I am as likely to organize a display as to research new titles.

Love_my_doggie's avatar

There are no bookstores remaining in my city, or in any nearby jurisdiction. I really miss them.

RedDeerGuy1's avatar

No. I buy my reading material from Amazon. Once a month.

Inspired_2write's avatar

In many Towns and probably city neighborhoods people have constructed a small cabinet with free books to share and exchange so that any passerby can take and or leave one that they have read already.

I suppose it could be called portable libraries.

I out Tourist Town there are several of these that have nice designs and Plexiglas doors to keep the elements out .

Usually train stations have these as well situated around for passengers to enjoy and take with them .

Bus stops too.

Maybe construct one in your community?

zenvelo's avatar

I frequent a bookstore in the Rockridge district of Oakland that carries both new and used books. And when I venture into San Francisco, I like to go by City Lights; I always find something interesting there.

Call_Me_Jay's avatar

I suppose it could be called portable libraries.

Little Free Libraries

Demosthenes's avatar

@zenvelo City Lights is excellent. I know it was in danger of shuttering recently as well. Bell’s Books in Palo Alto is one of my favorites as well.

SnipSnip's avatar

Yes. I love book stores and spend too much money on books. I have many I’ve yet to read.

Mimishu1995's avatar

I go to bookstores to buy stationery. I don’t buy any book from physical bookstores unless it’s something I just have to buy like textbooks. One reason is that the bookstores here just don’t have the things I need. Most books there are either stupid self-help books or stories that go nowhere. I get my books from Amazon.

rockfan's avatar

I go to Barnes and Noble and Half-Price Books very often

Nomore_lockout's avatar

@rockfan Ditto that, guilty as charged : )

raum's avatar

Pegasus
Half Price Books
University Press
Mr. Mopps
City Lights (donated to their GFM)
Booksmith
Kinokuniya (San Francisco)
Bookshop (Santa Cruz)
Bookman (Orange)
Books Inc
Barnes & Nobles

Have an ereader just gathering dust. When it comes to books, I’m a bit of a Luddite.

raum's avatar

Awww…just reading that University Press shuttered during the pandemic. :(

Haven’t been to bookstores much during this pandemic. Hope they’re still standing on the other side of this.

raum's avatar

Oh! And Moe’s and Black Oak Books!

I don’t go to Moe’s that much. Parking around Telegraph is kind of a pain.

And I think Black Oak moved location?

(This question makes me miss book stores. sniff)

RedDeerGuy1's avatar

Last time I went to Chapter’s book store I was overwhelmed. Didn’t stop me from buying $100 worth of books.
Chapter’s is out of the way and costs me $20—$25 one way by taxi.

I get what I want and get out. When I was a child it would be normal for me to spend a hour or more reading in Coles books and ending up buying $25—$50. Going to Chapter’s was a treat. Almost as good as KFC and pizza. Or Bullwinkles.
Other bookstores have moved or closed in my city.

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