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How not to stock books


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The Barnes & Nobles where I live. Yes, I'm amazed they even have a store here over the past few years has become the worst place for books, magazines, CD's and video, and basically everything they carry. Their inventory is barebones and who knows where things will get stocked. I go there every few months when hanging with my buddy. I go to look at the music magazines and they disappeared they rearranged the magazines, now music magazines are in the Men's Interest mag's. So you can check out the latest trends in Manscaping and what to play on a II-V in Downbeat. Someone should tell them women play music too.
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I go to look at the music magazines and they disappeared they rearranged the magazines, now music magazines are in the Men's Interest mag's. So you can check out the latest trends in Manscaping and what to play on a II-V in Downbeat.

 

I stopped going there for magazines. They are all guitar centric.

 

Someone should tell them women play music too.

 

Someone should tell them there are musicians other than guitar players.

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The B+N near me did not survive covid. They were located across the street from the dealership where I get my car serviced. I would go in there while waiting for my car to get serviced. It was a great way to pass the time: get a coffee and browse and read. Now I have to bring my own reading and me and my face-mask hang out in Panera.

J.S. Bach Well Tempered Klavier

The collected works of Scott Joplin

Ray Charles Genius plus Soul

Charlie Parker Omnibook

Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life

Weather Report Mr. Gone

 

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Even before covid, I imagine ebooks and audiobooks were killers. I own a lot of "real" books and like a room with bookshelves, but it's far more convenient for me to read an ebook--especially with eyesight that isn't great for reading anymore-- or listen to a good audiobook while doing chores or exercising. I'd say "while driving" too but I barely do that anymore :)
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I have an actual Mom & Pop bookstore near me, that stocks an amazing selection of used books. Going there to browse is a really fun activity for me and my gal. We make sure to buy books from them on the regular to support them, and yes I even order books through them, even though I could get it quicker through Amazon.

 

I also have a Barnes and Noble that I frequent, and similarly, I make sure to buy something from them frequently, because I enjoy the physical space, and I want them to continue to exist.

 

I think it's important to be mindful that âeven with Barnes and Nobleâ if we don't spend some money there, they will just go away. I really really miss Borders Books and Music. Their selection was awesome, and I loved the music section.

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Enjoyed the B+N stores when I was in the US. Sad to have seen the demise of these stores plus Borders. But my purchases in physical stores have reduced to 0.

 

Our local B+N (Livraria Cultura) is seeing a similar fate. They were huge here in Sao Paulo. More recently I used mostly to go to the kids sections with my daughter, which was always fun. Easy to find something that caught her attention and she enjoyed all the toys and decoration, Huge 2nd floor that had different play areas plus a small auditorium which got shutdown last year. They were hit severely by Amazon, that had a late start here but it is getting huge like the US.

 

[Off-Topic rant] My biggest pet peeve was seeing pseudoscience books in the Science section - such as "quantum physics / mysticism / cure it all" deliriums and others

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I buy a book now and then at Value Village or Goodwill. There are more than enough interesting books there to never need a library or bookstore. Price varies from 25 cents to 4 or 5 dollars depending. I usually read the book, however long that takes and then donate it back so somebody else can read it.

 

They have magazines too, I've bought a few here and there. I don't have any of them anymore.

 

I used to keep my own library, that has been sorted down to a few essential books (subject to change, mostly shrinkage) because I rarely re-read anything so why deprive others of the opportunity?

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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Interesting. I re-read all the time, I must subconsciously try to forget plot points because it's almost like I'm re-reading the book for the first time, to varying degrees depending on the book! I can't count how many times I've read a few of my favorites.

 

Movies on the other hand...I almost never have watched dvds/blue rays I've bought. I'll watch the same movie if it comes on cable (Godfather 1 or 2, prime examples). So I no longer buy any movies, I'll just rent from a streaming service. Can't say many even interest me at this point. I'm hoping covid has tailed off by later this fall so I can go to the theater and watch Dune though!

 

Music, I haven't really listened to much or bought anything in years but recently wanted something high-quality to do some mix referencing. All my cds are older and I wanted something with a more modern sound. Ended up finding very high quality wav albums at HDtracks, it's about the same price as a cd would be but better specs.

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The Barnes & Noble by me closed also.... I hadn't noticed them struggling but maybe there were a whole bunch that all closed at once.

 

At least they didn't wither like Borders did. All the Borders stores by me cut back their restocking months in advance of their closures, and eventually the stores were so bare they had to place the books face out on the shelves to make them look like they had a lot of books. Surprise, that "full" shelf of books really has just four books on it. It was sad.

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Even before covid, I imagine ebooks and audiobooks were killers. I own a lot of "real" books and like a room with bookshelves, but it's far more convenient for me to read an ebook--especially with eyesight that isn't great for reading anymore-- or listen to a good audiobook while doing chores or exercising. I'd say "while driving" too but I barely do that anymore :)

 

After writing books my entire life, I expect I'll never do a technology-oriented paper book again. I've even partnered with Sweetwater to create an

eBook-oriented publishing division. For technology books, I think the future HAS to be electronic, because it allows for updating - that way books don't become obsolete before they even hit the (few remaining) stores. I do book updates every now and then that are free downloads to the original purchasers, just like "dot" releases with software. This also keeps the books current for new buyers. Try that with paper! And since an eBook is a download, you can include audio examples, presets, and the like as part of the package. Throw in search, being able to have as many graphics as you want, the ability to do layouts optimized for smart phones and tablets, and the overwhelming environmental advantages, and I think anyone doing tech books is crazy not to transition over to eBooks.

 

This doesn't mean paper books are obsolete, though. I love book stores (especially second-hand ones). But technology books are a different animal from books that have a literal "shelf life."

 

If book stores want to survive, I think they need to encourage meetups and similar events. For example there are a zillion book discussion groups...they should all be happening at book stores, not peoples' homes.

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Well, as Anderton says...digital has a lot of advantages. I personally prefer it for any kind of book when it comes to reading. Real books are for making my room cozy and that's about it.

 

Where it really makes sense to go digital is in kid's schoolbooks. College books have always seemed like a racket to me. Now that kids in high school don't have lockers (thanks terrorism), my kid has to tote a backpack with all his books in it all day that is hard for me to to lift and I'm 6'3" 250 pounds...on one hand, exercise! But that is not the good kind, it's the kind that gives you shoulder issues :)

 

I'm sure some people miss video stores, and further back I'm sure it sucked to be a horse supply vendor (if that has a name, I don't know it) when cars took over.

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I'm sure it sucked to be a horse supply vendor (if that has a name, I don't know it) when cars took over.

 

Not the same thing, but you could have just gone with "I'm sure it sucked to be a blacksmith." :D

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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Working in tech as a SysAdmin ebooks were great. Supporting data centers with thousands of servers of all types of OSes and version being able to have a whole reference library on a thumb drive was great. Now that I've retired GAS is gone and in SAG mode now, the local Salvation Army is getting tons of my books, CDs, and other things. Some people get old and become hoarders I'm the opposite and desire to be a minimalist.
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Working in tech as a SysAdmin ebooks were great. Supporting data centers with thousands of servers of all types of OSes and version being able to have a whole reference library on a thumb drive was great. Now that I've retired GAS is gone and in SAG mode now, the local Salvation Army is getting tons of my books, CDs, and other things. Some people get old and become hoarders I'm the opposite and desire to be a minimalist.

 

I'm one that both is somewhat of a hoarder (as many of us are) and someone who stresses over clutter. Not a good combination. Hoarders often have this issue: they know they won't use something, but it might be "useful to somebody" and so it hurts to throw it out. Finding a local recycling center was great for me as I hated throwing out stuff that wasn't great for landfills...and donation is also great. When you see shirts in your closet that you haven't worn in 10 years...geez.

 

There's something about a nice neat room without a lot of "stuff" in it that makes me feel relaxed to be in it.

 

My garage is giving me hives, because my wife manages a lot of properties so we have extra of "you name it"...microwaves, light fixtures etc...I can't find a screwdriver half the time or am able to even walk to where I think it might be if the piles of stuff are especially high. And no she doesn't want to pay for a storage unit :) I should offer up my gig money, it would totally be worth it to get a garage back....

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Working in tech as a SysAdmin ebooks were great. Supporting data centers with thousands of servers of all types of OSes and version being able to have a whole reference library on a thumb drive was great. Now that I've retired GAS is gone and in SAG mode now, the local Salvation Army is getting tons of my books, CDs, and other things. Some people get old and become hoarders I'm the opposite and desire to be a minimalist.

 

I'm one that both is somewhat of a hoarder (as many of us are) and someone who stresses over clutter. Not a good combination. Hoarders often have this issue: they know they won't use something, but it might be "useful to somebody" and so it hurts to throw it out. Finding a local recycling center was great for me as I hated throwing out stuff that wasn't great for landfills...and donation is also great. When you see shirts in your closet that you haven't worn in 10 years...geez.

 

There's something about a nice neat room without a lot of "stuff" in it that makes me feel relaxed to be in it.

 

My garage is giving me hives, because my wife manages a lot of properties so we have extra of "you name it"...microwaves, light fixtures etc...I can't find a screwdriver half the time or am able to even walk to where I think it might be if the piles of stuff are especially high. And no she doesn't want to pay for a storage unit :) I should offer up my gig money, it would totally be worth it to get a garage back....

 

 

I've made major moves many times since the 80's when I got into computer biz. All that packing is what started me on the get rid of stuff mode. When I retired and went from the house I grew up in to a small apartment I had to got into get rid of it mode that still continues. For I look at something and think when was the last time I use, listened to, read, or did something with this. If it's over six months to a year then say it's time to go to someone else or the dump. Using that measurement for me is quick and I don't start overthinking the decision.

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At some point in history the idea of these mega bookstores looked and in many cases was profitable for a while based upon trends and conditions existing at one time. Things change. In the end it was not a grand rally to save trees that killed mega book stores. Everyone, whether they know it and want it or not, has become increasingly selfish. Convenience is king of the mountain. One of the most successful products in history has been the smartphone. In so many ways it has lead to a new world and rendered countless old world icons obsolete. The momentum of it devouring the world has yet to see anything threatening its position as the most important resource that exists. A contemporary pandemic with consequential barriers and isolation only further established the cell phone as our lifelink. It has already been a while since we needed physical bookstores and libraries. The time may come when some natural or military action eliminates the structure enabling the technology which links our phones. That might be a practical objective for retaining physical libraries at least.
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I can't believe how fast habits and preferences can change. Excluding music books and sheet music paper collection, I donated ALL of my CDs, DVDs, a truck load of paper books and a very large collection of cassette tapes last year. These are stuff that were very important to me just 10 years ago! I felt no remorse at all.
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I have an actual Mom & Pop bookstore near me, that stocks an amazing selection of used books. Going there to browse is a really fun activity for me and my gal. We make sure to buy books from them on the regular to support them, and yes I even order books through them, even though I could get it quicker through Amazon.

 

I also have a Barnes and Noble that I frequent, and similarly, I make sure to buy something from them frequently, because I enjoy the physical space, and I want them to continue to exist.

 

I think it's important to be mindful that âeven with Barnes and Nobleâ if we don't spend some money there, they will just go away. I really really miss Borders Books and Music. Their selection was awesome, and I loved the music section.

Well said.

And yeah, I miss Borders too, particularly the one in Cambridgeside Galleria. Or the one in downtown Boston.

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