BTT: Are You a Book Store Snob?
By Kristen on Jul 10, 2008 in Booking Through...
What would you do if, all of a sudden, your favorite source of books was unavailable?
Whether it’s a local book shop, your town library, or an internet shop … what would you do if, suddenly, they were out of business? Devastatingly, and with no warning? Where would you go for books instead? What would you do? If it was a local business you would try to help out the owners? Would you just calmly start buying from some other store? Visit the library in the next town instead? Would it be devastating? Or just a blip in your reading habit?
This is an interesting BTT on a couple of different levels… My first thought was that I would try to find a library with friendlier librarians! Honestly, I love my library because it is only exact one mile away and they have an automated checkout — which is so convenient. And the automation is particularly welcome since the librarians are not… Whenever I occasionally arrive before the doors open, there is always a long line of kids and moms and retirees and everyone is super cute and happy to be going to the library, yet the librarian waits until a minute or two after the opening time, unlocks the door and stalks away — without opening the door or greeting the melange of kiddos! I am now used to this, but originally I thought — “How can you be so crabby?! You have the best job! You work with books!” But then realized that, no, librarians really work with people…
Anyway, enough negativity… So, on to the If it was a local business you would try to help out the owners? This question brought to mind You’ve Got Mail — the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie — and how the big super store was the bad guy and the Shop Around the Corner was the good guy. And I realized that I simply love all book stores — big, mega, and cheap or small, quaint, and full of character. Either way, I love to browse…
I grew up on the edge of East Lansing (campus of Michigan State University) and my favorite bookstore was called Jocundry’s. It was ancient, with wood walls, creaky staircases, overstuffed sofas, dogs, cats, you name it. I just loved hanging out in it and was reminded of it when I stumbled upon Tattered Covers in Denver recently.
But I would be lying if I said that I don’t love Borders or Barnes and Noble, too! Well-organized, bursting with books, great deals, helpful employees – love it! I rarely buy books unless I’ve received a gift certificate… I’m content to wait for the library… but I can spend hours and hours simply browsing in a book store.
So, here’s my question for you: Are you a book store snob? Do you prefer the independent to the mega store? Why? I’l love to hear from you!
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I’m not a bookstore snob (I get most of my books from Amazon.com), but I feel like I should be one! I’m not sure why…
skrishna | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I’m definitely not a bookstore snob, but I tend to gravitate more towards the mega-store. Sometimes when I go into an independent seller I feel like I’m intruding!
I’ll make an exception for a good used book store, though. I’ll wander around one of those for hours, given the chance.
jaime | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I know how you feel — like I should disdain the super stores… but I actually like all sorts of book stores! If it sells books, I’m game
Kristen | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
Jaime — Good point about intruding — especially if the store is really small or the salepeople are a little too attentive…
Hours in a used book store sounds really nice right about now…
Thanks for the comment!
Kristen | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I much prefer large non-independent bookstores because they’ll more likely have the books I want! But I do love used bookstores because then I’m more likely to buy something. I don’t live near any used bookstores right now, though.
Rebecca Reid | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I hadn’t even thought of used book stores until I read Jaime and your comment, Rebecca!
Thanks for the reminder (and the comment)!
Kristen | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I want to be a book store snob, but the big boys have put all the little guys around here out of business anyway. Funny about the librarians. What is UP with that? I always think, “Why are you so mean to me and my kids?” We always go to the children’s section to check out books because our librarian friend has confirmed for us that most of the adult librarians actively despise working with children!
SmallWorld Reads | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
There aren’t any little books stores left around here that I know of. I kind of like the big stores where you can go in, browse around, read some stories to the kids if you want, and then leave without buying much. You can’t do that in one of the smaller stores, can you??
But, on vacations, if I find a small bookstore, I usually go in to browse.
Nicole | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Oh good! At least I know it’s not me…
I guess book lovers aren’t necessarily people people, are they?
Thank goodness for your children’s librarian!
Kristen | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Good point, Nicole! I always feel guilty if I don’t buy anything after browsing in a small store! Thanks for stopping by!
Kristen | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
I’m not a bookstore snob. I probably would be if I had a nicer independent bookstore around me. As it is, I’d only be sad if the internet vanished, really, and luckily that’s not very likely!
Why are librarians always so rude? We’ve got at least one like that in my local library. They mostly just glare at patrons. I don’t understand it.
Meghan | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Interestingly enough, too, patrons of libraries usually seem pretty well-behaved, don’t they? As opposed to, say, patrons of bars?
Thanks for stopping by, Meghan!
Kristen | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Nope, not a bookstore snob…but I’m a price conscious shopper and I buy books from everyone (except WalMart) who gives me the best deal. Since there’s not a local indy in my area I frequent Borders when I have coupons but generally shop online at amazon.com because they have good prices and FREE SHIPPING.
Yasmin | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Gotta love free shipping!! Thanks for the comment, Yasmin… And I, too, do not patronize Walmart. So maybe I’m a little bit of a snob?
Kristen | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for commenting back Kristen and I look forward to visiting your blog often.
Yasmin | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
Thank you! I just finished checking out your site and it is beautiful and a wonderful resource, too — I’m glad I found it!
Kristen | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
Awww man…so sorry to hear about your mean librarians! I’m a librarian who happens to love talking to other book lovers and truly enjoy my job. You should complain to management…that’s just unacceptable. Back to the question though…I go wherever the books are! I love any and all bookstores and will stop at book booths on the street and at festivals.
Michelle | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for weighing in, Michelle! We needed the perspective of a friendly librarian
Honestly, one of my librarians is super warm and nice and I’ve felt a little guilty for complaining about the one crabster! Sigh…
Kristen | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
I think my husband will have a breakdown if Borders should ever close. We don’t like B&N, but suffer through it as the nearest Borders is 97 miles from here. I typically order from Amazon to avoid dealing with B&N — too many misplaced books, too narrow a selection, often cranky staff.
Some of my best vacation shopping has been at small independent bookstores.
Lisa | Aug 6, 2008 | Reply
Lisa — Interesting comparison of Borders and B&N… I’ve enjoyed both in the past, but we happen to live near a number of each and haven’t noticed a difference. I wonder how Borders’ stores will be affected by their new relationship w/ Amazon?
Kristen | Aug 7, 2008 | Reply