Here in Seattle we have a tradition of reading books. The rainy weather keeps people indoors in the winter time. Many people have massive book shelves loaded with hard backs, and even paper backs.
I was at the library last week to get a book about business by Napoleon Hill. I wanted the book for a video presentation, it was a part of the staging. The library didn’t have a copy, or any copies of his books. You could however download the books through some system the library has.
Well I wanted the book that day so I went a used book store that also didn’t have any copies, which took me to Twice Sold Tales here in Seattle. They also didn’t have a copy. During our search in the store the clerk told me they were closing one of the two last remaining locations. The person behind the counter matter of factly said “people don’t buy books any more.”
I understand. Barnes and Noble is restructuring, other book stores are struggling, online sales is one reason, and electronic books is another. What is sad in the passing of the book store business model is the sense of community.
I spend a lot of time on line. There are people I have never met who correspond with me daily. Between the Face Book, and Twitter, along with all the other network sites, there is a pretty broad base of people who come together every day to share thoughts, or strategies.
In my opinion the book store was going to be a survivor. It does make sense that the small cloister of people who made up the literary scene of Seattle could get smaller and share more online. My thought though was that in trading books you would want to see them. Evidently the collecting of books got to be an even smaller group.
One book seller went from store front, to online, to liquidating her entire stock in one transaction with a book broker. The demand just isn’t as great.
I’m just noting the passage. I have no real opinion of it because like I said I spend a lot of time online.
The store of Twice Sold Tales had been a staple in my life for thirty years. The rows of books along with the cats, there have always been cats in the store, was a refuge. I spent many afternoons looking for books that I wanted, or needed. Today I just Google the information.
It is a loss, and as much as I would say we should save the tradition, I know there is more to do in my day.
