Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Monday, April 2, 2012

Books and Bookstores

Lately I've been reading on the Kindle. Sometimes I'll get into the story and think about it when I'm not reading. That's like a real book. Sometimes the Kindle book bores me and I never finish, again like a real book. I tend to get bored much easier with e-books than I do with print books.

I miss browsing the bookstore. Browsing the Kindle store doesn't feel the same. Borders, my favorite sort-of local bookstore, was a favorite destination. There's just something about holding a print book in my hand, I love it! I love the smell, the feel, the anticipation!

I miss the loss of bookstores in my area. But I'm glad there are still options for buying print books online. Besides my personal favorite (Celerytree.com of course) there are many other places to find great deals on print books. Amazon is awesome, because you can find literally any book that's ever been published, often at a cut-rate price. Shopping Amazon for used books is one fun trip.

I'm not of the school who believes that print books are dead or dying. And given the choice, I'll choose the print book over the ebook reading experience any day.

B is for (print) Books!

73 comments:

  1. I am a book lover too Karen and I do prefer holding an actual book. But I found that I enjoy my Kindle as well. I shop Amazon frequently but I haven't heard of celerytree. I must check it out.

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  2. While I read plenty on my Kindle, I do love a print book too! I recently had to buy all three of The Hunger Game books because I had two kids who wanted to read them. It is great to be able to "pass around" the book. I don't think print will ever be completely gone!

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  3. I love books! WE lost a great bookstore a couple of years ago and it was like loosing a member of the family. I can't and won't do readers (Kindle). I want to hold the book, caress it, smell it, turn the pages, write on the pages, interact with it. You can't replace a book!

    Gregg Metcalf

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  4. I love print books, I'd much rather hold a real book than a Kindle, but I can understand the draw of owning a Kindle! But I love having all my books lined up on my bookshelf, waiting for me to pick one up and read it.

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  5. I wasn't crazy about the idea of a Kindle at first, but now I wouldn't be without it! I still love real books and bookstores, but I like how quickly I can get a new book on the Kindle.

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  6. I love my Kindle, but I agree...I will always love a real book. There's nothing like opening a brand new book. Some of my fondest childhood memories are a new book for birthday or Christmas presents!

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  7. I love the smell and feel of a new book, can't get that with a kindle. I can see the upside to both though :)

    Universal Gibberish

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  8. I too love books. I love the tangible tactile feel of them. I have a kindle reader on my phone and i only download short books b/c i find that i won't finish long books on it. I did my A-Z challenge on Books as well! Art Books.

    Thanks for a great post :)

    Http://paintundermynails.blogspot.com

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  9. So true, sister! I love books and book-shopping, but I think I'm more of a print book gal than an e-book one. I don't officially have an e-reader though (I just have a smartphone with a small screen), so maybe if I had a Kindle or Nook, that would change.

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  10. I love my kindle but I need the feel of a book in my hands. The feel and smell of a book can't be replaced.

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  11. I am torn... in the middle I love the feel of a good book and like the idea of having a choice instead of caring like 20 books with me.

    Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
    A to Z Co-Host
    IZOMBIE: Visit the Madness

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  12. Love print books and bookstores - especially now they have cafes and reading areas!!

    Take care
    x

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  13. I don't have an e-reader yet. I do want one, but I think I'll never love it like I love a book.

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  14. I am an old-fashioned, die-hard book lover, who doesn't possess a Kindle... yet...
    And I still love going to the library too...

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  15. I like both. I really enjoy my Nook because I can buy one eBook and my whole family can read it at the same time without fighting over it. We all have similar tastes in reading preferences. I recently bought a print book and now my daughter and I are playing tug-o-war with it. :)

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  16. I can curl up with a book, less easy with my laptop (no Kindle, just a Kindle app). I love the old leather bound novels, so beautiful!

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  17. I refuse to buy or use Kindles or Nooks. I have to be able to smell the paper and ink, feel the texture of the book and hear the pages turn.

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  18. Great B choice! :)

    While I do like my iPad for traveling, nothing beats the tactile feel of holding a book; it's still my favorite way to read.

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  19. I'm lucky to still have a local bookstore where I can shop for books. And a well-stocked library not ten minutes walk away. Browsing there is so much fun - and I can even take one home. In a bag...not flown through cyberspace. Can you tell I haven't quite got on board the e-book train yet? I still like to hold a book and turn the pages by hand. I'm sure that we will have print books for a long time yet. Maybe not so many bookstores, though.

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  20. I love holding a traditional book with actual pages. I also love my kindle. However, the smell of the pages is the best, especially an old book.

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  21. Although I love books and value holding and collecting the hard back covered type. I am learning a little more forgiveness with technology advancements and enjoy the digital magazines and such. Both have a place in my heart for the "old" familiar and "new" trends.

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  22. I love visiting the used bookstore downtown. Unfortunately used book stores are all that's available in my area. I prefer an actual book, but I do enjoy the convenience of my Kindle - it's so much less bulky and easier to travel with.
    Brianna @
    BibleBloggers (#510 on the A-Z list)
    and @
    1st Writes (My Writer's Group Blog, #517 on the A-Z list)
    and finally @
    Pocketful of Playdough (My regular Blog, not on the A-Z list)

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  23. I agree with you even though I haven't got a Kindle (I'm not sure I would like it or if it would work here in the middle of nowhere). The only thing I love to shop for is a book. I love bookstores and I miss the ones, the small ones, that are no more. Just walking into a book store and smell the books is so special.

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  24. Ah, I can relate to this. I LOVE print books. And I get bored with e-books, too. Especially since I can't stare at the screen too long

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  25. I dearly love my print books. Hardbacks for the stories I want my grandkids to read. Paperbacks for the ones will read several time and hand over to my boys.

    I have to agree there is something special about browsing the shelves. We make a Saturday family trek to the local bookstore now and again. Five hours is easy to kill there.

    Great post!

    *~MAJK~*
    Safireblade.com
    A to Z Challenge

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  26. I got a Kindle recently, it's handy for travelling and having books with you all the time, but no, it's not the same as the anticipation of picking up a book with a nice cover design and leafing through the pages.
    Thanks for visiting my blog too- it's my first year doing the challenge!

    Ebby

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  27. I agree, nothing like browsing a bookstore! Love the smell of the pages, the feel of the book...but, I also love my Kindle because I can find a good cheap book at midnight when the bookstores are closed.

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  28. I still haven't read any books on the readers. Still using print books. Maybe one day I'll switch over.

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  29. I agree and definately also miss our Border's :/ and I also wonder what technology will do to the printed book.

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  30. I love, love , love print books.
    On the other hand, e books are easier to move. Hard to pull muscles carrying a kindle :)

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  31. Hi Karen
    Nice to be here
    A Good read on Books
    I am a Book lover in fact a book worm indeed
    :-)
    No. Print book is not died or dying, it never...
    Happy Blogging
    Keep inform
    Best
    Phil

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  32. There is no comparison, for me, in seeing one of my titles (books or music) online compared with viewing the actual book or CD on the shelves. 'That's nice' compared with 'Oh, wow!'
    I must admit, though, that I only buy a printed book when I am sure I am going to want to read it far more than once, and it is an author I already know I really like.

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  33. I love my Kindle, but I have found that I also get bored more easily when reading a book on it. I still love holding a book in my hands and nothing beats browsing through a bookstore. And buying used books on Amazon is one of my fave pastimes, I actually spend way too much money doing that!

    Great B post. :)

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  34. There is a fabulous bookstore in Champaign, Jane Adams, that has 3 crammed full floors of old, new, rare books. The whole place SMELLS like old books. Its easy to get lost, get absorbed and be transformed in one afternoon. I love the idea of the Kindle and its efficient ways but I adore bookstores like Jane Adams

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  35. I love reading!!! I am a book nut! I have a kindle and I love it..but..I also have tons of books filling a closet..that gives me so many options each time I open the door!! I love both!!

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  36. Thanks for the info on celerytree. I miss Borders, too.

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  37. I almost chose books myself. Hi! I am Karen....I hopped over here from A-Z Challenge...this is my first time.

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  38. I have to say I much prefer the ebook. Its easier on my eyes. Not only that, but I have found so many authors that I love becuase of Ebooks. Authors that I would not even have looked at in the regular book store. Great blog though!

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  39. Sadly I add two of my chn's books to Kindle. Looking for readers and hoping the printed book will always be preferred.

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  40. Water seeks its level and book stores will work through the ebook revolution. I don't believe book stores will cease to exist, just change with the times.

    I love my ereader and the convenience of reading a synopsis and purchasing the book while sitting in my lawn chair (without wearing makeup) or riding the bus.


    http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com Theme: A World of Crime

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  41. I adore my kindle app for pc, but I'm also nostalgic for the bookstore. Going in to browse the stacks, run my fingers along the spines of releases new and old. Checking one out and looking at whatever page I want to look at instead of the options provided my the "look in me" for Amazon. Le sigh.

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  42. You are so right about the smell of a book. It's comfort food for the soul. Even one that just came out of a dank basement. Reeking of unknown adventure. I love it. Thanks. New follower.

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  43. I do love the ease of a kindle, but honestly, give me a real book anytime. The problem is I'm impatient and always looking at how far I've gone on a kindle. And yes, going to a real store is always a better experience (unless I look like crud and don't want to go in public).

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  44. I love print books! I don't (yet) own an e-reader, but know that one day I will give in and buy one. I can see where it would be super easy to have a book in seconds rather than hours (to drive to the bookstore in the next town!)

    Thanks for hosting the Challenge! It's a lot of fun!!

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  45. I don't have a Kindle or a Nook. I love books. I really love used bookstores - old ones that are so cluttered, you walk through a maze and come across treasures when least expecting it.

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  46. I too love print books! Actually our kindle broke recently... Hope you had a wonderful Monday!!

    ~Blog Hopping from A to A Challenge~
    http://monkeyangelasblog.blogspot.com

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  47. I find that I'm making a transition to e-books quite a lot easier than I thought I would. Still want "real" books for some though. I just signed on to the A-Z challenge, nearly at the last minute, but I'm trying to visit every blog at least once.

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  48. I love books - PRINT books! I have a Kindle but I won it. I have 153 books downloaded but I've only read TWO from beginning to end. I like knowing what page I'm on and I like seeing the progress I make. I like being able to flip the pages back and rereading a paragraph. I like seeing a bookmarker sticking out of the book. It's just not the same.

    Very good post!

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  49. I love my print books, and am irritated with the trend lately of books only coming out electronically. I might be cheap, but I'm not going to pay the same amount of money for the electronic version.

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  50. I still prefer print books. I'm so glad there are used bookstores in my area.

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  51. I cherish so much those times I can go to my local bookstore and spend a whole afternoon just walking about. I cannot be trusted with a credit card inside there, though, I'm a menace. Now I share those afternoons with my girls, 5 and 7, who also love books so we can always do that and have the best of times. Physical books will never be outdated!

    Thanks for commenting on my blog!
    From Diary of a Writer in Progress

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  52. Hi
    I've been reading on my Kindle Fire, but your post made me itch to visit my local B&N. I do like hanging out there, perusing stacks of books. I'm over from A to Z (#672). Come visit if you like!

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  53. We spent part of the afternoon in a giant bookstore today. My wife bought three novels; I looked at all kinds of non-fiction (history and politics, mostly). I have this "I'll have one of everything" approach with books. Which is why I need to be very careful in bookstores!

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  54. My teen daughter told me the other day that no one her age reads EBooks "if they can help it." If there's a paper version it is the preferred version.
    This made me realize that we are not dinosaurs. Print may become a luxury, but there are reasons for it. Print is not just for fuddy-duddies who won't adjust.
    I'm willing to meet half way. I'll try the electronic reader the next time I go somewhere and don't want to pack too much. But I'll buy the print version when I can.
    Like you Karen, I’m a book store hound. We’re lucky to have so many brick and mortar book sellers in the Bay Area.

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  55. There are certain things about ebooks I really like (easy to search and fun to see other people's highlights and notes with Kindle) but in general I still prefer print books too.

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  56. I like e-books for the quick availability and ability to purchase 24 hours a day. But I will always prefer a print book over an e-book. There's something about being able to hold it, break in the spine, and just enjoy seeing the cover on your bookshelf.

    Great post!

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  57. I love printed books, but I also love my Kindle Fire. I have on it so many eBooks downloaded from All you can books... a great site told by a very good friend. I found there so many of my favorite titles and I can't wait to have a little spare time to read them!

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  58. Hi KarenG,
    Great Going!!!
    Thanks for dropping in my blog and for the comment.
    I am so happy that I could catch the wonderful train in time
    So, Let's have together this wonderful journey just began..
    :-)
    Happy Blogging Ahead
    Best Wishes
    Ann Philip

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  59. Teehee. My B was also for Books. Thanks for stopping by. :) I miss the amount of bookshops that there used to be in the world.

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  60. Yes, nothing beats the feel and smell of a musty paper book! I like the Book Depository for my print books, with its free international shipping.

    J.C. Martin
    A to Z Blogger

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  61. I love the feel and smell of a new book. Paperbacks will never go out of fashion! :D

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  62. Hello! I like print books, but am finding I also like the eBooks. Might like them even more when I get a Kindle I can walk around with. Right now I have a Kindle for PC. I think there will always be print books, because not everyone will have or want some type of e-reader.

    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

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  63. I must say that books do have a certain musty smell especially, the older ones. Besides the different textures and colours look so good on the shelves or in a library.

    Have a great day!!

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  64. I am lucky to have a bookstore near my office. Sometimes I can spend hours there without even noticing how fast time goes. Nothing really can be compared with a good old paperback.

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  65. Hi Karen .. I must say I miss bookstores - we have one left - which I'm afraid I don't use much .. but I do like to look at books and occasionally will snap one up.

    I'm sure we'll find books in Garden Centres, Museums, Art Galleries, Castle (appropriately!) shops and historic places' shops ... then what? Who knows ..

    Still love them though .. cheers Hilary

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  66. Books are one of my favorite things too! Kindles are harder to manage than my bookshelf. I can't see the books as easily or remember what they are about, or know which series book is first...I love the convenience, but I love my paper too! (But the same thing can now be said about my CDs...I miss the liners!)

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  67. Tried a Kindle reluctantly, browsed a few freebies just to get comfortable with it. I really like the Kindle for convenience, etc. but my love belongs to real paper and ink books.

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    Replies
    1. I may never get a chance to read either a book or a kindle ever again ... i'm spending all my time trying to figure out how to post, comment, and follow other blogs on this damn A-Z challenge blog. Can you help?

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  68. Love real books. I do not own an e-reader but I have Kindle on my Laptop.
    I start looking for books at my library. Use my Goodreads app on my phone to log the books I like and order online for a good price if I want to own it.
    It's still doable.
    HMG

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  69. There's just no replacement for a real bookstore and paper books. Online/electronic options are great, but I still love the feel of a book. Not to mention I feel like browsing is the best part of going to a bookstore. Sitting, reading a magazine, maybe picking up 10 books and seeing if any of them are for me. It's not the same online. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  70. I see the goods and bads with both. I don't own a kindle but have used the app and google books to read old classics to my two boys.

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