1 post tagged “magazines”

I was reading Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books (such a fabulous site, though I am not a huge fan of romance novels), and this post, as well as the comments that follow, got me thinking.

I buy books as often as I can.   I love walking into my local B&N.  When I was younger, there was an indie bookstore that my dad would take us to...I would always spend my allowance on the Fear Street series.  At some point, this particular bookstore stopped selling new books, moved to the bad part of town, and turned into a haven for bums.  There are two or three other family-owned bookstores in Tyler, but they are all the same.  Now B&N is the only place for me.

Sometimes, I can't find what I'm looking for, and I buy it online (always from Amazon).  It doesn't take as long and is often cheaper than special-ordering it from the store. 

When I saw the New Yorker cover, my first reaction was smugness.  Then I realized that just because I buy from a local store, doesn't mean I'm any better.  That's because I'm buying from a huge chain.  It makes me wish we had indie shops that were a little brighter and more organized, not to mention safer.  Central Florida spoiled me.   Boston and especially Cambridge really spoiled me (there are some Cambridge peeps in the post's comments, and they make me sad with their bragging and I really want to live there someday BOOHOO).  I'd have to drive out to Dallas to find anything similar.

I guess it just makes me a little sad that we've all grown so accustomed to convenience, instant gratification, and high-priced coffee that we let ourselves and our local businesses down. 

Just a thought.