Musing Mondays is hosted by Rebecca from Just One More Page.
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about book stores…
How do you choose what to buy from your local bookstore? Do you have a list, or just browse? What is the selection in your book store like? Do you find what you’re looking for? Do you feel pressured to buy the kind of books the store makes prominent?
Because I feel like reading tonight, I'm going to make this one short. I'm nabbing this from BooksPlease. I never seem to get around toanswering these questions on the days they are posed, but better late than never.
I used to drop by a local bookstore at least once a week, but I've not been to one since just after the holidays. Once the weather is nicer I will probably get back into the habit of going, as there are two bookstores within walking distance from my work. For the time being I am contenting myself with the occasional online purchase or bookmooches.
When I do go to the bookstore I try and take a list of books I'm looking for. Usually I can only find a few books on my list. I think my tastes have changed over the years. In the past I would happily visit a bookstore with nothing in particular in mind, but I would still leave with a stack of books. I would buy anything that looked appealing whether I was familiar with the author or not. I didn't need to know what the critics were saying or what reviews the book received. I am still willing to take chances on books, but I am far more particular in what I pick up and buy. I get most of my reading suggestions these days from other bloggers, readers in my online reading group or readers who leave recommendations here. I do much more searching around these days looking for information about books, but I'm still not overly concerned by 'professional' book reviews--if it appeals yet has received less than glowing reviews, I'll still give it a try.
I try not to buy hardcovers (I just don't have the space) unless I am really dying to read it, or the book is by a favorite author, as I can usually borrow those books from the library. I tend to read far more older authors or books that are out of print than previously, so finding books that are on my lists in bookstores can be hit or miss. What I find disappointing about bookstores (and the two that are close to my work are both chain stores) is that they seem to display the same old (well, new actually) books over and over, or the same types of books. As a matter of fact I can space my visits out every few weeks and when I return it feels like they've not even changed their displays. I do read lots of popular fiction, but I am especially interested in books that are "off the beaten" track (like Viragos, or Persephone Books or Europa Editions) and it seems like chain stores either don't stock or don't display lesser known authors or books from small presses. I suppose they are only interested in what will sell and not getting really good books (even if they are not bestsellers) into reader's hands, which is a real shame. And I absolutely don't feel pressured to buy the books they display prominently. The thing with buying online is I can usually find whatever I am looking for no matter how unusual, but occasionally I'll come across a book that really looks on the bookstore's shelves, too.
What about you?