I just heard Angus and Robertson (Australia's version of Borders) Has pretty much gone under and will be closing stores in the very near future. This leaves one one decent sized bookstore now. I never heard the whole story on the news, but is Borders in America also going bust? Or in trouble? This has really angered me a bit. Screw you internet. Screw you big time.
all I know is what I'v ebeen reading on FB but yes, it went big time belly up from what writers have been saying. Not all Borders stores are closing, but a large number are. Big chat about it over at shocklines. We have more than just Angus and Robertson closing doors over here in Aus though. They are all in major debts and unable to pay publishers, etc, so have no choice but to fold. Sad state of affairs that is for sure.
I've heard Waterstones are in trouble now too, so that's scary news. That'd mean the only other bookstores available to me, where I live, are supermarkets and WHSmiths. Not good.
The rumour with Waterstones is that Tim Waterstone (the original founder of the company) is considering buying the chain back from HMV, who are in financial trouble at the moment. Doesn't seem to be a particularly fun time for bookshops. Borders UK went bust a few years back, and now the British Bookshops & Stationers on my road is having a closing down sale.
The E-readers are rendering books stores unneccesary. When they become reasonably priced I plan on buying one. ($100 is not reasonable for a reader, but like all electronics, the new will come down in price.) The internet also allows people to buy from anywhere in the world, meaning you can buy the cheapest any where, rather then pay the marked up price.(store overhead.)
I'm lucky have several independents in my area. To be honest charity shops and Amazon marketplace are my main book sources. Borders has been gone over a year in the UK
That sucks. Sorry you're only being left with one decent sized bookstore. I heard that HMV was closing some Waterstones branches, but hopefully this doesn't happen. Oh I have a British Bookshops and Stationers at home and I really like it. I hope mine's not closing down... It's gone a bit more commercial now, and not like it used to be though. When I'm away at uni, there are a few independent bookshops so I'm quite lucky here. There are also some good charity shops for books both here and at home.
Totally agreed. I get my books from Amazon and charity shops mostly, because I just can't afford the £8+ prices every time. Besides, it's recycling, and I'm doing my bit for charity.
Yep if I am going to pay full price then I can support one of the local bookstores one has been going around 150 years now specialises in local books and authors, on is has an independent publisher attached and one is a hippy bookshop. Think would rather keep each of them over and above Waterstones. oh and because I don't drive I had forgotten we also have a couple that specialise in collectors items.
I believe borders books will be closing a third of their stores in the US in an attempt to recover from bankruptcy; e books cited as a major contributor as well as major debts to publishers.
I buy from Amazon and Bernardos bookstore in Edinburgh. I've bought around 5 ebooks for my iPad and only read one. There's just something off putting about reading on it. In all honesty though, the Kindle does look more appealing for ebook reading. The iPad is so heavy and for some bizarre reason they've disabled the screen lock with the last software update so when you change position in bed the screen wobbles about. Nothing like a good book with tangible, turnable pages and that feeling of closing it and setting it down when you've finished. I buy a heap of books from Waterstones probably once every other month.
We have two bookstores down the street from my apartment, but one of them is Borders, so we'll see if it stays open...in scarier news, apparently there's a proposal for a bill that would cut federal funding to libraries.
Wow, I hadn't heard about any of this, not about bookshops closing in Australia, UK, USA or anywhere else. Guess it goes to show how often I turn on my TV or the radio while I'm at college --never. That's sad... I usually cant afford bookstore prices either and tend to buy off Amazon or take advantage of library sales, but I always like to go buy a really special book occasionally and enjoy spending the day sitting in those comfy chairs they have with a hot drink and cookie --there's nothing better! Saw a comment about someone saying E-Readers are contributing to this? Really? I'd be surprised... I feel like a lot of people, even people in my generation who are way into technology, still like the weight of a book and the texture of paper in their hands. I don't think I could stick with an E-Reader.
I'm a Borders Rewards Member, which is the only reason why I know Borders filed a chapter 11 yesterday. Only one of the Borders in my area is closing. I know of several other closer Borders so its not so much a big deal for me. I dislike B&N though, so I won't shop there but will buy exclusively from Amazon should Borders shut down completely. Though it doesn't look like that will happen just yet. I can really see why e-Readers are a cause though. That was my first reaction as well. I wish I had an e-Reader!
Heard one of the stores out here will be cutteing everyone's gift card down 50% (to save money i assume). As some guy said on the news, how is that not illegal? I don't mind getting books online, but i like walking in and reading backs of random books. I also do not like waiting 4 days. When i want to read, i want to rean then.
I agree, but nonetheless. These stores WILL go under....so i don't know. Glad i spent my $200 the other week.
