Series 2, Post 2: I shop where I shop. Don't hate.

By Kristin Bivens

In the next city over, there used to be a Border’s book store. When I became an avid reader, I went to Border’s almost every day with my coupon and member card in hand. I had to pass Barnes and Noble on the way to Border’s, but I rarely stopped in.

For me, back then, Barnes and Noble was too big, it was too confusing. I knew where everything was in Border’s and the traffic wasn’t nearly as horrible in the parking lot.

When I was living in downtown Chicago, Barnes and Noble was closer to my dorm room so I frequented the store, but it was smaller and everywhere in Chicago was busy, so it didn’t matter where I went. But the Chicago Border’s was still my favorite. It was nestled right on the corner of the street, with three levels. It was always busy. I could look out and see the cars buzzing by and the street lights changing from red to green. It was the perfect spot to sit in a window sill in the history section (it wasn’t nearly as busy there) and crack open a book.

Several years after moving back to my Michigan area, the local Border’s (along with all the other ones) announced it would be closing.  I was devastated. That was my place. That was my favorite bookstore, hands down. I had finally started paying for my membership there. I was dedicated to the cause. But, sadly, my friend Sarah P. and I couldn’t keep it afloat alone. So, I took extreme advantage of all the sales and clearances, filling up my bookshelf while I could.

I was reluctant to make my big box store switch to the only one left in town- Barnes and Noble. It took some warming up, but finally I decided to buy a membership. It, honestly, felt like I was betraying Border’s. But, I thought maybe my twenty five dollars towards and Barnes and Noble would help the economy and help the bookstore survive. 

I have bought books online, and I’ve bought books from the little used bookstore down the street from my house, but I love going into stores like Barnes and Noble so I can see all my options. I can’t get the same experience on Amazon. I’m a judge a book by its cover type of person so when I see a cool cover, I pick up the book to see what it’s about. I need the visual experience. Plus, it is easier to go to a section and see what books are new. I can’t stand going through the Amazon suggestions. But I have been known to put a book on my list that I saw at the bookstore and then go buy the cheaper version off of Amazon.

Now, I’m a full convert who has a Nook application on my Google Nexus. I have the membership. That’s where I typically go to look for books when I look for books. I want the indie bookstores to survive, and if there were more options around here that I knew about, I’d frequent them more. But the variety at those giant stores really can’t be beat.

So, you’ll excuse me while I beat the horrific mall traffic to look for my next read.