Borders closing.. Oh noes

I know this is a belated reaction to the news but here goes!

Oh my god! Did you guys heard? Borders filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed 200 stores! I have seen Indie stores closing but we are talking about major bookstores here.

What happened? I thought they are one of the most well-known and well rooted bookstores around the world?

This is devastating in several levels it’s kind of offensive. 
   1. The sudden lose of jobs due to the messed up of “EFF”ing people who messed up!
  
   2. A way for reader to discover books ion their own by “discovering” by “shopping”.
  
   3. This will affect people who motivates reading.

   4. It’s a bookstore. They are NOT supposed to close down. PERIOD!

Living in Brunei, I know the feeling of “lack of good bookstores” around. In fact in my district, there’s only one good bookstores (Bismi and Pustaka Remaja don’t count! they are stationary stores!) I’m talking about Icklebooks in Pandan, KB. They have good books but bestsellers books are not that much available in a good basis – to my expectations, not to forget god damn expensive! My other favorite book stores would be Best Eastern and Paul & Elizabeth (for fiction the least). and that’s about it. Locally it would be appalling if these place close down. Yes yes.. we can go border crossing and get cheaper books but hey that’s tiring =/ I don’t wanna cross over just to get one book.

Regressing… news of bookstores and libraries closing, is kind off depressing if you are in the reading community. So many good books, so little time to read. It’s a dying trend but like I said, I am so glad to be part of it.

So where did they go wrong? Why are bookstores drowning?

Prices. For the love of books, why is they so expensive?!

Locations. Some bookstores aren’t hidden. I know a few lesser known bookshops located in the most hidden spots where people can’t find them.

Cold hard. I don’t know other readers, but I want my bookstores homey. Instead of totally cold unwelcoming, narrow aisle… you know what I mean.

Not Updated. Ok… it’s fine to have classics, good books on sell. but please follow with the bestsellers and what’s new. I’m honestly sick of waiting 2 weeks for a new release book… When a new Harry Potter book came out, waiting for depressing. Everybody was talking about it and I was afraid of bumping onto spoilers during the delivery time from Amazon. *blinks*

Lack of popularity. Ok, not in celebrities kind of way, but I guess it would be cool to have celebrities of any form to promote reading. What I mean is, do you know what’s in your bookstores now? What books they are selling? I know I don’t until I actually step in and browse about. Try reaching out to the public with what you have. We want books, but we have no idea if you have the books we want. Half of the time, I realized bookstores have the books I wanted but I’ve already ordered it off ebay or Amazon! It’s ridiculous.

Swags? Coupons? Author signing? Anything! Some bookstores gives up book discounts, coupons, etc etc.. give out initiatives for more readers. Entice! Do your research on good books to sale. Do something! I think these are a few reasons why bookstores are going down the drain. Somebody fix it.

Ok I better stop ranting.