 | | Gayle |
The Rest of the Story...
Recently Rick (husband) and I took a trip to Bellevue Library to hear favorite PNW authors Robert Dugoni, Phillip Margolin and Mike Lawson, talk about writing, the publishing world, and their latest books.
HOT TOPIC: THE BOOK WORLD IS CHANGING The hot topic of the day was and is ebooks. Once more I listened as authors and fans alike speculated on what ebooks will do to the publishing industry. My conclusion is we don't know what the outcome will look like, but we sure know that 'it' is changing! And, as Rick says, we will always want stories. It's 'how' we get our stories that is changing.
There are two 'hows': where we buy our stories and in what form we buy them. Both of these impact the world of bookstores. It wasn't so long ago that the 'big box' bookstores were putting the smaller independent stores out of business at a frightening rate and now, here they are, shaking at their very foundations. The biggest reason cited is 'on-line' sales. WOW.
ARE BOOKSTORES COMING OR GOING? On the heels of Borders announcement to close 200 stores (Washington lost two: Gig Harbor and Lynnwood) American Booksellers of America reported 25 new independent bookstores opening in 2010. Their opinion is that these stores are filling the void left by 'big box' closures in communities.
I LOVE bookstores and not just ours. I love all bookstores. There is a sense of possibility, history, adventure and community in every bookstore I have ever been in. I am always sad when I hear of a closure such as Square One Books in West Seattle. For a heartfelt message from owner Gretchen Montgomery, click here.
We have four independent bookstores in Burien! Ours, of course. Then there is Burien Books and Bumbershoot, both on 152nd. We also have a Christian used bookstore on 8th.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: If your buying habits are changing and you are buying more books on-line and in ebook form, you can STILL support our 'bricks and mortar' shop by using our special ordering services, letting us help you find your hard to find books, and by telling everyone you know (and don't know!) about us. The more customers we have, the more likely we will stay in business for many years to come. See you soon! Gayle
ps: "Ross, Dress for Less" is going to occupy the old Long's Drug space. It's true, but we don't know when. We will let you know as soon as it opens! |
WOW! This is a great month for new releases. Be sure to stop by our store for the latest and greatest. Remember, we now carry NEW books. 
SAVE THE DATE!
