Day 26 SOL 16: The Bookstore

What's New?

I'm a device gal.  Technology and gadgets are my thing so it doesn't really surprise people when I tell them I prefer to read on a device.  Despite what the research says, it doesn't keep me up at night.  I also question research that talks about retaining what we read if we're reading on a device.  It seems to me the secret might be knowing how to highlight, note, and actively engage in a digital text.  There are so many advantages to reading on a device:

• It's easy to carry a collection of books with you at all times.
• I'm ready for any reading emergency.
• Selection.  Selection.  Selection. 
• I have a record of the all the books I've read (very helpful when I forget a title --- which is all of the time).
• I can adjust the font side.
• I can refer back to lines or information read in just a few clicks on the screen.
• How far it is to the end of the book never stresses me out (it did in a regular book).
• There's no need to find space in my house for the book.

Yes, I know there is a con to every pro I've listed, but it works for me.  Since going digital, I've never looked back.  The ease of borrowing books from our library makes it even better.  (Thank you, Columbus Public Library!)  I read much more now than I did when a paper copy of a book was required.

Employee Recommendations

No matter how digital I become, I'm pretty sure nothing will ever replace a trip to the bookstore.  Yesterday I found myself with a few hours between lunch with family and my evening class.  It seemed the bookstore was the perfect place to spend some time.  I wandered in and immediately felt at home surrounded by the books on the shelves.  As I entered I was greeted by the newest releases and the bestsellers.  Meandering the shelves, I glanced at titles, read book jackets, and took note of the recommendations of the store's employees.  

Love the way they've managed
to get so many picture books
with their covers facing out.

When I go to the bookstore I usually allow myself to purchase a book or two, and then add the rest to my Goodreads account.  I'm really just like a kid when it comes to book shopping;  put the book on an endcap or situate the book with it's cover facing out, and I'm more likely to pick it up.  Books that are facing spine out are only helpful if I'm looking for a particular author.  Thankfully the store I visited has book display down to a science.  There were books to browse at every turn.  

As a digital reader, I don't want to be part of the fall of the bookstore so I regularly make purchases from local bookstores and even the mega-giant, Barnes and Noble.  As I floated from the adult section to go peruse picture books, my attention was drawn to a young family playing in the children's area.  They were using the stage, playing with the racetrack, and talking about books.  As a teacher, I delighted in the idea that a child could find so much joy in a bookstore --- and leave with a book or two in hand.  These are the memories that make readers.  

Long live the bookstore!  No matter how much I love digital reading, I'll always enjoy spending time wandering the shelves.  

For the month of March I will be participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge hosted at Two Writing Teachers.  It will be a busy month of writing, commenting, and learning with this community.  Stop by today's link up to join the conversation or find some great reading.