When I was younger, but still old enough to drive, I used to love going to the bookstore.
Waldenbooks.
Barnes and Noble.
Borders.
How great was it? Sure, you have independent ones around most areas. Or used book stores. And, of course, you can still go to Barnes and Noble.
But it’s changed so much.
First, I don’t read books as much as I should or like I used to. When I do, it’s usually via Kindle. I just love the easy way to read as compared to books. But I really miss the ambiance of bookstores.
I could spend so much time in those stores. I’d wander around l;eaf through a book or three and oftentimes buy something.
It was great to peruse the travel section and daydream about where you’d love to go one day.
I’d go to the sports section to see if there were any new bios of somebody I needed to learn more about.
I always enjoyed the joke book section. You had game books and true life and fiction and horror and so many other genres. You could find planners and calendars and even games.
Then Amazon and other online retailers took over.
Don’t get me wrong – I use and love Amazon. But I do miss that brick and mortar experience.
I recently wandered through the local mall. Years ago, the mall housed a Waldenbooks store. I spent a lot of time in that store.
Down the hall from that spot is currently an independent bookstore. It never seems to be open when I am in the mall, though.
I think next time I am near Barnes and Noble, I’ll need to go in and just wander around. I’ll see what they have, the different sections, and all of the selections one could dive into. Maybe it’ll really bring back some nostalgia. Maybe it will make me want to buy and read an actual book again.
Or maybe I’ll realize it’s a memory that will stay with me, but things have changed too much.
Time will tell.
This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!
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