I Haz a Sad

[kriadydragon]

Borders is closing! Whyyyyy! :( I'm so ticked by this. Border Books and Music was my happy place. I'm not big into going places but whenever the mood to go somewhere does strike, it's Borders I go to - books, movies, music, cute odds and ends; what more could I ask for? Even if I don't buy anything, just to see books on the shelf always stirs up my motivation to write. I had hoped that, one day, I would walk into Borders and see one of my books.

And now, they're closing :(

I know there's Barnes and Nobles but... they're not Borders. They only have books :( Plus who knows how much longer they'll stay open :P

I think what really ticks me off about this, though, is that it brings me one step closer to having to buy books online whether I want to or not. As helpful as it is when there's a book I want that I can't find at the store or library, I still like having the option of being able to go to a store to buy my books and not have to use the credit card. We're trying to bring credit card payments down, dang it! And I hate using a credit card online since it feels like a matter of when, not if, someone will manage to steal our information.

First my favorite radio station, now my favorite bookstore. :( All I need now is for my radio to succeed in eating my favorite cassette tape, and my unhappy will be complete :P

ETA: Yep, the list just keeps growing. Our oldest dog is unable to get up, her back legs completely useless. We think it may be time to put her down. :(

Comments

[sherry57.livejournal.com]

I love computers, internet and I think they improve our lives in lots of ways. I have met people all over the world and made friends with people I would not have met if not for internet...but....on the other hand, internet, on line shopping, outsourcing...all of this leads to less jobs, to companies closing. There is certainly an upside to modern technology but there is most definitely a down side to it as well....Borders is an example of the down side...me talking to you tonight is an example of the upside.

I feel very divided in my thoughts about it all.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I love technology but I'm not a fan of how fast it moves, or the way it forces your hand. There always seems to come a point in which you have no choice but to use new technology whether you want to or not, and I don't like that. I don't look forward to the day when the only way to read a book is through a Kindle. I like hard copies, consarnit, and staring at a computer screen for too long can sometimes make me feel ill.

[sherry57.livejournal.com]

For sure the personal touch is being lost bit by bit. And you are so right...we are being forced to move with technology..faster and faster. My parents had a lot less, lived a lot slower and finally, were a lot happier. We have all been trapped by the capitalistic world today...we think we have more choice but in fact we have less...keep up with the bandwagon of technology or fall by the wayside. Keep spending money to do so or be in the group of have nots! Reading is the same...read stories on kindle or.....not! Reading online looked like a neat option at the beginning....soon there'll be no option!

Cynical...I certainly am.

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Yes, they have filed for bankruptcy.........the big one downtown on 3rd in Portland closed out last month. I was shocked when I saw they were in an all sell out mode
I rarely go downtown but my hairdresser is there so I took a walk since I arrived a bit early and found the sign on their door.
:-/
Powell's which is the largest privately owned bookstore not only in US but the world is cutting back.........
I forget how many employees they have laid off with promise first hire if things pick up.........

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I don't like this :P I don't want to have to shop on line for my books. I like going to bookstores and looking at all the books and knick-knacks.

I'm selfishly tempted to encourage people to, if possible, shop for books at stores and only shop online when you have no other choice.

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

I'm selfishly tempted to encourage people to, if possible, shop for books at stores

Totally agree. It just breaks my heart to see it all go.
I LOVE libraries and bookstores and have ever since I was a kid.
When you walk into Powell Books you immediately realize they are on multi levels, all color coded.......
Powells sits on a square city block
That does not even include the tech books which are in another building entirely.
You see it all at Powells e.g. people lounging in aisles reading etc.
It is more than a place to buy a book.
You can also buy almost any book 'used' along with the new editions.
BDalton is gone from malls as are two others which I cannot even remember their names now......and I am not sure about Barnes & Noble. I heard they were going same way as Borders.
:-/

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

*Clings desperately to bookstores*

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

**nods**
There is something so special about them and libraries.........
Did you ever see that film Matilda??
That was me when I was a child, but without the little red wagon.
I still remember when I a child and I walked over to Arleta library with my maternal grandmother. I was just delighted at ALL the books and they were ALL there for me.
I asked the librarian how many I could have at one time. I forget now how
many and was blown away by the number.
I began to browse the many shelves and it was at that point my grandmother cautioned me, "Just remember, you will have to carry them all home."
Home was about three miles........
I never lost my love of libraries and my sister is same to this day. I wish you could see their 'library' (actually a downstairs bedroom no doubt)
It is crammed with books on three of the walls in shelves which are ceiling to floor
The floor is littered with stacks of them also.........He volunteers at Tidal Wave which is the used book outlet for Multnomah County Library system, so he brings home various books he discovers from time to time adding to the collection.
In addition they are regulars at the library, just like I am.
**rolls eyes**

[tringasolitaria.livejournal.com]

Aww, I'm sorry. :( About both things. It's awful when you have to have pets put to sleep. My brother had to have his black lab put to sleep just before Christmas - congestive heart failure. I loved that dog.

I haven't found out yet if the Borders near me is on the closings list, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised. It's not really in a great location and there's rarely very many cars in the parking lot. It's too bad. :( Everything is going digital. I'm not really mourning the video places, but it's a real shame to be losing the bookstores.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Jewel is my mom's dog but she's such a good dog - friendly to everyone, very laid back and smart and very much a sweet heart. She's actually lived a pretty long time for a big dog, but her back legs are so weak she can't get up without our help, and can't stay up very long.

Our borders is the only Borders I know of in the area. I guess that store wasn't making enough money, which I find odd as there were always customers there.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I LOVE Borders. As you said it has/had everything from books, to dvds to music. Most of it was a bit pricey, but that had some really in depth music and odd movie selections. Their graphic novel selection was awesome

Not all of them are closing, but it sucks the one near you is :(

Oh, no about you doggie. I'm so sorry, you want to help them so much and sometimes you can't.

HUGS

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Books, movies and music are my love, making Borders the best store ever. I don't always like going to places and dealing with people, but Borders was a sort of comfort zone for me when I did want to go somewhere. I really hate it that it's closing.

Jewel's live a pretty long time, longer than expected, in fact. But even though we knew this time would come what with her back legs going, it still sucks :(.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

They said they were re-organizing under chapter 11 and they would be closing (only stores that are not busy) some stores but not all of them. Maybe you will have one around the area? We have a few within 20 miles of each other so I expect they will close 1 or 2 and leave some close by.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

So Borders isn't going to be totally gone? Okay, I think I can live with that, but the Borders near us is definitely closing. They're having a going out of business sale right now. It's the only borders in the area that I know of, and the only store I liked going to :S

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

Go to their web site and put in a search. They should be able to at least give you another location by your area to go to. They only listed one so far around my area that they are having a closing sale at. Haven't seen more yet and we have quite a few around but they start getting to be like 45 minutes away and better at that point. I have 2 that are equal distance from each other maybe 20 miles away in either direction. both are very busy and at large malls.

I know how you feel about having a brick and mortar store to shop in. I buy some stuff on line but I like to go to a real book store to buy stuff more!

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

We just went to the going out of business sale today and, apparently, according to one of the store clerks, there is another Border's somewhere nearby that's not closing. So, there's hope, depending on how easy to get to this other Border's is.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

See, I knew you would find one. Borders is my favorite book store and then I like Barns and Noble behind it.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

yeah, join the club... Our Borders is going belly-up as well. Nearest bookstore is now 20 minutes. If it was 20 minutes clear sailing, not driving 20 minutes with all the yuppie maniacs in their SUVs yakking on their cellphones while driving - it wouldn't be so bad. Sigh.

I like to LOOK at a book in my hands before buying. Online doesn't give you that option. Plus yes, the trinkets and doodads you sure as heck didn't need but bought cuz they were there.

So sorry to hear about your dog. Having gone through putting out dog to sleep just months ago, I know how heart-breaking it is. Just remember, that his comfort and dignity in death is more important than your feelings. Animals are lucky that we can, if necessary, end their suffering before it gets too bad...

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

About twenty minutes, usually more, was how long it took to get to our store... and usually for the same reason. But it was always worth it even if they didn't have anything I wanted. Just to look at everything they had made me happy.

We're not looking forward to putting her down but, yes, definitely for the best. Now that her back legs won't work you can see how miserable she is. I put some bread in her bowl and she didn't make a move to eat it.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I spend a lot of time browsing and not buying, now... it's a longer trip to do that. Darn.

Oh sigh, not eating? Not a good sign :(

[nefhiriel.livejournal.com]

Meh. I hate it when favorite stores close. Especially a favorite bookstore. :| You're right, ordering a book online just is't enough, sometimes. I love browsing a cozy book shop.

And I'm so sorry about your dog! What a hard call to make. I've been watching our own dog, Strider, get gray around the muzzle, and wishing he would just stay a puppy. It's so hard to imagine life without much-loved pets! *hugs*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'd never really had a favorite store until I discovered Borders. My biggest enjoyments were books, music and movies and a store that had all three was like a dream come true. Ugh, I'm going to miss going there.

Our dog lived a pretty long life, longer than most dogs her size. It's definitely time for her to go. She's so miserable now that she can't move, has only been outside once and I've yet to see her eat (she's usually right on top of the food bowl most of the day). It's going to suck something fierce, though.

[ninja007.livejournal.com]

Hey Chica, I've been hearing this for the last 2 years. I used to work at Barnes & Noble and I heard last year that Border's was BUYING B&N!

I'll believe when I see the going out of business sale sign go up...

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Except our store is going out of business. They're doing the whole out of business sale :(

[kajahryujin.livejournal.com]

I find it extremely sad to hear this since the Borders in my college town is closing as well. It was my only place to find books in the same series that were not newest one, which was the case with buying books at somewhere like Walmart. I am not a big fan of buying things online due to the threat of identity theft but also because some places are not completely honest with what they ship to you. I also find it rather obnoxious that you have to pay additional costs to cover shipping. At least with a bookstore once you pay for the book you have it. Borders was always a fun place for me to go just to browse and meet friends. The atmosphere in the stores always seemed to me to be much more relaxed than a Barnes and Nobles. It is sad that companies that are loved by those of us that enjoy reading and being creative are failing and those that cater to the unimaginative masses are still enjoying great prosperity.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

There is something very comfortable about Borders. Maybe because their store isn't as cavernous as Barnes and Nobles? I don't know, but going there definitely has a calming affect on me.

I'll only order online if Borders doesn't have what I want but, yes, such a pain in the butt and I have no trust for it. There was a book I order that they ran out of, so I didn't get. But, low and behold, Borders did eventually have it :/

[sholio]

Oh, I'm very sorry - about Borders, and about the doggie, too. (One of our dogs is approaching that point, but she's not quite there yet.)

We don't have a Borders in my town - it's a B&N - but I know how sad I would be if it went away! There's just something about browsing books in real life that's so much more fulfilling and satisfying (and inspiring!) than getting books online. I like the convenience of places like Amazon.com, but I don't want it to make bookstores go away completely; that would make me sad. :( (Though, at the very least, I think we will probably always have small used-book stores; it's not quite the same as a giant, brightly-lit BOOK EMPORIUM, though ...)

It's possible that if you don't have a local Borders, your Barnes & Noble will expand its stock to fill the market niche. Ours has not just books but also music, movies, and journals & other writing things.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Poor Jewel seems to be fading fast. She won't eat and she needs our help to get outside and get back in. She also has no fat on her what so ever. Oi, this is going to be tough, especially for my mom. Jewel is her baby and a really great dog.

I love browsing through bookstores so much. I don't eve have to buy anything, just look, and if I'm in a bad mood I find myself uplifted.

WE went to the close-out sale today and according to one of the clerks, there is another Borders! :D It's on the west end, though, which can be tricky to navigate, so it will depend on how easy it is to get to as to whether or not we make it our new store. If not, we do have a Barnes and Nobles but right now they only sell books.

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

I buy most of my books from The Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/homepage.php) because the price of books in Australia is expensive. And now I'm just waiting on the latest Jean M Auel book out March! It's only been an eight year wait :D

Sorry about the dog, the decision is a hard one for you but maybe the best for her *hugs*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I should check that out. One thing I don't like about shopping online is the shipping fee. Once you add in the fee the cost is that you might as well have bought the book at the store :/

Jewel is getting her strength back but we just found out she has a tumor and bad kidneys. Yeah, not much longer, now :(