A Bookstore Love
Originally published at drew.nerdahl.us. Please leave any comments there.
Recently I had a friend ask me an interesting question. “With how much you read why don’t you just use the library?” A question that seems completely sensible. My answer goes to the heart of why I read.
I have a love affair with the printed word. The look, feel, sound, and smell of a printed book is something that I love and cherish. While I love the amount of information that has become instantly available through my dear friend the internet, it can not replace the experience of holding a title in your hands and enjoying that book. It’s not just the words but the entire experience of reading a book that makes it what it is.
Also, the industry that provides for my love affair is dieing, a slow and horrible death. I look at my bookstore patronage as my personal duty to help the book industry. I, in a small way, am helping to keep bookstores open, people employed, and helping to encourage the people I love to read to continue writing. Yes, I may be nothing more than a rain drop in a lake, but at least I’m adding to it one drop at a time.
So there you have it, buy a book, help the economy - One paperback at a time.