I went shopping yesterday at our new local Barnes & Noble bookstore.

[Aristus]

It was such a wonderful feeling, after not having a book retailer in the area for almost twenty years, to walk into a bookstore, look at the displays, put together a wish-list, and then go to the counter to make a purchase, face-to-face with a real human being. The novelty of shopping from my couch and in my pajamas, has worn off. Bookstores are the best!

[Polly Hennessey]

1. Before Covid, Barnes and Noble had cushy leather chairs and round tables

where people could look at their books before buying. Ours also had a Starbucks. Nice cup of coffee, relax, books. Always walked out with more books than I needed.

[Tree Lady]

11. Our Barnes & Noble lost the coffee shop

And the comfy chairs, they only have a few hard chairs by the front door and window.

I usually go at Christmas to buy gifts. I read most my books online from library.

[PittBlue]

2. We are getting one in Strongsville, Ohio

So excited !

[nuxvomica]

3. There's been one in the next town for decades

It's in a cluster of shopping centers and whenever I go shopping there I stop at the Barnes & Noble to use the bathroom and end up spending an hour or so browsing the books and always buying something. It used to be a combination bookstore and CD/DVD store but the latter was replaced with a huge toy section a few years ago.

[anciano]

4. Love it! 👍

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

5. Nice

[JoseBalow]

6. I'm at my library once a week

Bookstores and libraries are some of my favorite places. I've never gotten into e-books or audio books, nothing beats turning the pages of a real book for me.

[erronis]

7. Libraries are such welcoming places. So are small independent bookstores.

Over the years I've frequented most of the large book-selling chains but have recently gone back to my loves of my youth - local libraries and small used-book stores.

[Aristus]

19. I rarely buy books anymore, simply because I'm out of shelf space for my 3,000 or so books.

I usually check out three or four books a month from the library. Like Thomas Jefferson said, I can't live without books.

[yellowdogintexas]

27. Same, which is the reason I broke down and bought a Kindle.

I had acquired enough Amazon points through a work program to buy one. I have a ridiculous number of ebooks most of which were free or 99 cents but I have only purchased maybe 10 actual physical books since I got the Kindle. I am one of those oddballs who prefers the e-book because of the adjustable font, the backlit screen and the light touch to turn a page rather than trying to hold the book and turn a page at the same time.

[electric_blue68]

24. E books definitely during Covid! Still do. But will get to my not too far away Central Bx library soon

[FireUpChips10]

8. I just went to a smallish-town bookstore yesterday!

Well, population about 7,500.

They had a lounge there as well. I didn't get any books or gifts, but I did get a coffee.

I like the convenience of online shopping when I need it, but bricks-and-mortar stores are the way to go.

[QueerDuck]

9. Small-ish towns (Luray, VA for example) have very cozy and welcoming used book stores.

It's always a treat.

[Aristus]

20. My home of Puyallup, Washington is supposed to be getting a second-hand book store soon.

It was supposed to open in May, but I haven't heard anything about the opening yet. I'll have to shop both retail and used from now on, in order to help keep both stores open.

[Americanme]

10. I love bookstores.

When I was a teen, back in the 70's, we had Readmore bookstore downtown, Walden Books and B.Dalton Bookseller in the mall, several used book stores, comic book shops, it was great. Now, as far as I know, we only have Barnes & Noble. I buy books, toys for the grandkids, I eat there occasionally. Thankful to have them here in our town.

[SarcasticSatyr]

12. Bookstore are great . . . .

Used bookstores are even better ...

[OldBaldy1701E]

23. I am fortunate that I have both very close to me.

This B&N still has everything, the chairs and the coffee shop.

One can walk in, grab a book or magazine, and chill right there.

The used bookstore is a great way to rotate my library, as I often read the same book lots of times because I run out of material.

Plus, I have found some books that I wanted, but never could get.

Recently grabbed the entire first run of Burrough's 'Barsoom' series. ( love John Carter.)

[OddMom20]

13. Hooray!!!

I love that you’re now able to enjoy the “bookstore experience!” Don’t get me wrong - libraries are wonderful, too. There’s just something about walking into a bookstore and enjoying the exploration. Enjoy!!

[chia]

14. I love walking into my local Barnes & Noble, I share your joy!

[leftieNanner]

15. Agreed

But don't forget Kings Books next door to Doyle's (the Doyle's Dip is the best sandwich ever!) And Half Price Books.

I'll have to check out B&N.

[True Dough]

16. You've never struck me as a shrinking violet

You should have trotted in there wearing your pajamas without being self-conscious in the least!

[Totally Tunsie]

17. OK, 'fess up now. When you buy books as gifts, do you read them before wrapping them?

(I do, provided I've had enough time.)

[Martin68]

18. It's sad, though, that the only place you can peruse and buy books like that is a national chain. In Charlottesville we

have three independent book stores where we can buy new and used books (and recycle the ones we've read). We also have a Barnes and Nobel, and I very occasionally go in if the other stores didn't have what I'm looking for.

[NNadir]

21. I'm a spoiled Brat. I kind of look down on Barnes and Nobel and have the luxury of having better...

...bookstores around.

It breaks my heart though that University bookstores were all subcontracted to Barnes and Nobel.

That was one of the lost treasures of my life, browsing in University Bookstores.

[Aristus]

22. I preferred Borders Books & Music myself.

But after two decades of no brick-and-mortar bookstores around, I'm happy with Barnes & Noble.

[electric_blue68]

25. Our biggest B&N is just north of Union Sq Park north end of The Village...

Five floors, got a few nooks, and crannies to sit w books, or magazines.
🩷

[4TheArts]

26. Love my local bookstore!

Small Appalachian town so no Barnes and Noble. Even the one that was up in Asheville is no more.
Here I can order from the lovely bookseller and do so often. I keep a free library at the Art Council I direct and keep replacing the good stuff.
History by Sarah Vowell, Hafiz, our local writers especially the poets, banned books, bunch of good fiction and non.
Have not ordered a book online in many years.

[Diamond_Dog]

28. For me, going to the library

Makes me feel like a kid in a candy store.