By now everyone in the book world has likely heard that Borders is shutting down. One of the factors cited was -- as with the closing of Stately Raven here in Findlay -- the rise of e-reading as opposed to people buying actual physical paperbacks. An article in Wednesday's Courier cites one analyst as predicting that competitor Barnes & Noble will gain revenue from Borders closing -- but the same anlayst says that the need for brick-and-mortar bookstores, as opposed to online bookstores, is likely going to keep decreasing.
I grew up in Ann Arbor, Mich., which is where Borders is based, and have been familiar with Borders for a long time. It's strange to think of it no longer in existence and it makes me wonder -- what DOES the future hold for bookstores? I feel like I'm practically the only thirtysomething I know who still reads books as opposed to e-books -- the majority of my friends my age have e-readers and use them a lot. That said, I haven't patronized as many bookstores of either the chain or independent variety lately because I tend to go to the library instead... so, anyway, your thoughts? Will you miss Borders? Do you still buy paperback or hardback books as opposed to e-books? And... will there still be bookstores for us to visit 10 years from now?
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