The Times had a story about Powell's Book Store this week. I got nervous when I saw the headline, thinking "oh no, not closing?" (talk about getting so used to gloom & doom economic reports that you read bad news into articles before you even read them!)
In case you haven't been to Powell's, it's awesome! A HUGE book emporium, covering a full city block in Portland. In the heart of the city. You could spend a week browsing and not see everything.
Turns out they're not closing. They've just tabled plans to expand for now....a smart move given the recession. But for a moment, I had a spooky vision of a world on Kindle.
Imagine not being able to hold a book in your hands...to turn crisp, clean pages and smell that wonderful new book scent. Or even the scent of a musty, well-worn book from years ago. How sad if we ever lose that. And yet it could happen if people stop buying books.
One of my best friends works in this wonderful, cozy comfy, I-want-to-stay-here-all-day bookstore in Carbondale, CO. When I talked to her the other day, she was hoping the store wouldn't really be closing at the end of the month. What a loss that would be. No more book signings or book club meetings. No curling up in the red leather chair with the reading lamp and trying to decide which book to buy. No colorful childrens' corner with the wonderful furry animal reading mats.
I SO hope people keep buying books. I tweeted about it earlier this week and posted something on my Facebook page to remind people in my neighborhood to support our fabulous independent bookstore, Unabridged. We've taken our grandchildren there as soon as they could walk. And it continues to be one of their favorite haunts when they come to visit. The best part?
They love to read.
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