In the face of emerging technology and online platforms, bookstores are simply going out of fashion. What does that mean for the bookselling industry and the readers? In "Room For Debate" on the New York Times, Emily Powell writes an article on how "Bookstores Should Provide a Magical Space for Readers and Writers."
As a kid, I really loved and enjoyed reading. I would be so excited for the annual Book Fair at my school. Occasionally, I would buy one or two books but they were always just too pricey. Nevertheless, I always enjoyed the number of books that the fair had to offer. Every time I opened up a book, I would get lost in my own world. One can not underestimate the influence of the printed text.
Lives are transformed by books and their ability to educate, entertain, and inspire on a regular basis, in the aisles of bookstores and throughout the online community. Bookstores attract customers who are as creative and intricate as the books on the shelves. But now, one can sell or read any book online. The threat of online competition is putting bookstores on the line. You can find just about every book online without having to buy the book itself. When a book is posted online, we no longer have to get a physical copy of a book.
What does this mean for the future of bookstores? Is the internet putting bookstores out of business? Do you still visit bookstores? Or do you just buy books online? What are your opinions on bookstores? Are they irrelevant or are they a necessity?
Bookstores hold a very deep place in my heart. I remember how fun it was, opening the glass doors to get hit with the scent of cinnamon and baked goods nearby the coffee lounge, and the corny banners, decorations that show up when it was holiday season. It had always been more than just getting a book. Bookstores gave an all out experience to enjoy. With the undying growth of the internet, online purchasing will make these places no longer exists. I understand, especially during this time, that going online serves as the best convenience. However, do we have to come out to see the world becoming an entirely digital domain?
ReplyDeleteI too have always enjoyed reading, transforming mere words on a page to a whole story in my mind. Some don't have the kind of imagination that one needs to read and enjoy it per say. My grandma would take my siblings and I to bookstores at least once a month growing up, and I loved the process of finding the perfect one for me. Still to this day, I find reading books online are not as fun or enjoyable as it is to go to a bookstore and read the backs of every book I can get my hands on. Additionally, being at home with the book in my hands as I am reading is a feeling staring at a screen cannot compare to. Sadly, the internet may put bookstores out of business eventually, but for now, I will just keep shopping. :)
ReplyDeleteMany bookstores are on the decline due to the convenience of online shopping. Modern technology and the internet have altered the business, more so for books than any other category of retail. Searching and purchasing books are easier within a website or app, and are generally preferred by consumers. Amazon has the biggest advantage. Features such as one click ordering, Amazon Prime, and price competition have forced bookstores to change their strategies or adapt. Stores that were unable to or unwilling to evolve have closed whereas those that are still standing must develop and exploit their strengths. The rise of audiobooks and eBooks have also contributed to the decline of bookstores as the need to use or obtain a physical copy of a book has decreased in part to the potential and ease of carrying many books digitally on a mobile device rather than a few in a personal bag or backpack.
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