chapter three
A book's setting provides the reader an idea of the character's surroundings. It lends the reader a hand into the author's imagination, walking them through the character's inner thoughts and outer experiences.
Place, like a novel's setting, allows one to explore the landscape in and beyond the comfort of one's own skin. People connect to place by relating a location to emotions, memories, or people associated to that location.
Place, like a novel's setting, allows one to explore the landscape in and beyond the comfort of one's own skin. People connect to place by relating a location to emotions, memories, or people associated to that location.
Bookstores provide people with a place for community and independence. As a community, locals can come together and discuss book topics or provide support for authors at events. Independently, bookstores can serve as an escape from the chaos of reality and provide a place of quiet solitude.
Books ground us in where we read them, where they take place, and what happens there. However, the story does not end when the book is closed. Even passed the last page, we bring books wherever we go--they become a part of us and our inner place.
Books ground us in where we read them, where they take place, and what happens there. However, the story does not end when the book is closed. Even passed the last page, we bring books wherever we go--they become a part of us and our inner place.
old vs new
Short lines, quiet corners, a twisted maze of tall shelves that seem to multiply the farther one gets from the entrance is a unique description of an independent store in the heart of Marin County. Independent bookstores allow for a more personal experience while corporate stores, like Barnes and Noble, run as a business that focuses on sales rather than personalization. However, these corporate bookstores do allow for convenience to the product and a clean-cut view of the book one is looking for, no compass needed.
The argument between new and old can be traced back to the idea of shopping locally to help the economy. Local shops depend on the means of customers to survive. One storeowner commented, "These people aren't just my friends or family, they are my lifeblood". Kate Livenson, owner of Point Reyes Books, believes that customers have a direct impact on the local economy, "People choose convenience over supporting brick-and-mortar stores. People don’t realize that if they go for convenience and the best price that they are undermining Main Street. They may not realize this until one day Main Street disappears. The shops that they like to use as a back up or in an emergency or the people they have a relationship with or some other capacity, until they lose their jobs--they don’t really understand."
The argument between new and old can be traced back to the idea of shopping locally to help the economy. Local shops depend on the means of customers to survive. One storeowner commented, "These people aren't just my friends or family, they are my lifeblood". Kate Livenson, owner of Point Reyes Books, believes that customers have a direct impact on the local economy, "People choose convenience over supporting brick-and-mortar stores. People don’t realize that if they go for convenience and the best price that they are undermining Main Street. They may not realize this until one day Main Street disappears. The shops that they like to use as a back up or in an emergency or the people they have a relationship with or some other capacity, until they lose their jobs--they don’t really understand."
Others see that corporate bookstores do not provide a nostalgic feeling like family run bookstores do. A familiarity can be felt in a store run by the same people over the course of one's lifetime rather than the mundane employees of a big box store that work from 8am-5pm.
Some see that comfort outweighs convenience for in larger stores there tends to be more people in a hurry--in, out and on the road, on to the next place on the list. One customer commented,"Being around less people makes me feel relaxed, I feel like I have time. I don’t want to rush into something. I’d rather take it all in and enjoy the experience. Corporate stores tend to be more about consumption than the actual book experience".
Some see that comfort outweighs convenience for in larger stores there tends to be more people in a hurry--in, out and on the road, on to the next place on the list. One customer commented,"Being around less people makes me feel relaxed, I feel like I have time. I don’t want to rush into something. I’d rather take it all in and enjoy the experience. Corporate stores tend to be more about consumption than the actual book experience".
the end
So, why read books?
Maybe, it's for the thrill of turning that last page and hearing the cover close. Perhaps, it's a check off one's bucket list or a promise to a close friend. Or, it is for the love of discovery, knowing that each page will bring something new to explore. And who knows, it might just change your life forever.
Maia Stevenson says it best, "[I read because of] the idea that it can shape your opinion of the world and can make you see things in different ways. For every writer, I feel like they each have a different view of the world. You can be a part of that view for the time that you are reading it and it can take you away from your own life. It let’s you be somewhere else for while. It’s nice to be lost in something." Fin.
Maybe, it's for the thrill of turning that last page and hearing the cover close. Perhaps, it's a check off one's bucket list or a promise to a close friend. Or, it is for the love of discovery, knowing that each page will bring something new to explore. And who knows, it might just change your life forever.
Maia Stevenson says it best, "[I read because of] the idea that it can shape your opinion of the world and can make you see things in different ways. For every writer, I feel like they each have a different view of the world. You can be a part of that view for the time that you are reading it and it can take you away from your own life. It let’s you be somewhere else for while. It’s nice to be lost in something." Fin.