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Bookstores: Where are all the Shelves?

© Karen James

Through the years the image of the typical bookstore has altered. Once thought of as a darkened, refuge for those with a literary inclination, now the bookstore has become a social gathering place for the intellectual crowd. For all its evolving, the bookstore is still true to its nature. Despite the commercial trappings of onsite coffee houses, attached music and video palaces, and even the jump to the Internet, it is still a place to find books.

Each person has their own unique intent when shopping for a book. It is this goal which sets the destination. Is the book a new release or hard to find and out of print? Does the buyer want to find a deal, acquire an autographed copy, seek advice on what to purchase, share a used book, or just desire the chance to peruse the shelves? Most of these goals can be satisfied by sites on the Internet.

The deal seekers are looking for the super stores. With more inventory than any single bookshop could ever stock. These huge services will scour their vast network of suppliers looking for your title and author requests. The best known of these include Amazon and Bookwire.

Autographed copies can be had through a variety of sources. Try a Basement Full of Books to buy directly from authors. You can search for collectors. Usually, these same sources will also locate the hard to find and out of print books that collectors most desire. Used books are also available on the Internet (try Powell's first).

Advice on the best title, author, or series abounds on the Internet. There are top picks from fans at the Fantasy Book Voting Archive, and even from bookstores at the Independant Reader. You can vote for your all time ideal title, review the latest from your favorite author, or even pass judgment on someone else's opinion. The Folklore site and the SF Site offer "If you liked this try..." recommendations for people hunting for gifts or looking to branch out to new authors.

And if you're just wanting to peruse the shelves. Well in my opinion there is no substitute for the real thing. There's a comforting feeling that steals over me when I walk into a bookstore. The smell of books in print, the satisfying presence of shelves of books, and cozy alcoves encouraging a preview of the debut release by an unknown author all combine to draw me into this gratifying haven. I'll never give up visiting my favorite bookstores (A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books) or investigating new shops.

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