It’s hard to argue that bookstores are become a thing of the past. Buying a book use to be something that took little effort. Now, picking up the newest novel may consist of driving many miles and take up a few hours of your life. It’s become such a hassle that many readers have gone against their original stand against digital books and bought an e-reader. It’s hard to ignore the changing times, for better or worse, reading has been changed forever.
There is something to say about the loss of bookstores. There is a certain romanticism that goes along with holding a book in your hand and browsing bookshelves. Many enjoy the process of flip though chapters and seeing the glossy finish of every page. Although digital books look like paper, they can’t imitate the texture of pages or the smell of a novel.
Some may blame the disappearance of your local bookstores on e-readers, they’d be wrong to do so. The process of buying physical books has changed a lot since the early nineties, online shopping has lessen the need to leave your computer, let alone the house. Even though you won’t get your purchase right away, the promise of discounted prices may justify waiting a few days.
Although it’s sad that books are starting to become a rare commodity, it’s important to know that we’re going though a change of times; some may fighting it, but it’s impossible to ignore. Remember, there was a time when everything was handwritten. A decade ago it would be hard to imagine a life without home phones; now a lot of people are choosing to have cell phones in place of landlines. People may not always agree that change is good, but it’s hard to argue that it happens.
There will be a feeling of loss as physical books become a rarity. There’s no denying that things won’t be the same, but one thing almost everyone would agree on: as the popularity of e-books increase, so does the room in your house.
By: Brandon Tanimoto / Photography By: Lauren Nelson
