Goodbye Borders

I went to Borders Book store for the very last time today.  When I got the e-mail last week that all the Borders stores were closing I was shocked.  I've known that bookstores were having trouble with all the e-readers and online bookstores, but I think I was in denial.  I was the one who would post a comment on some concerned writer's blog that book stores will never disappear because people love to hold a book in their hands and browse through the book store.  The book store is one of my favorite places to go.  Opening the first set of doors, I glance at the clearance books.  Sometimes I check them out, but most of the time I figure they weren't good enough to sell inside, so I don't want to waste time browsing the rejects.  I open the second set of doors and stare at the front tables where all the new releases are placed on end with their shiny new book jackets reflecting the flourescent lights.  I pick up a few of the hard covers and read the synopsis before I move across to the soft covers which are easier to carry and a third of the price. 

I always end up in the Psychology and Self Help sections.  They are very close to the Bibles, which makes me feel a twinge of guilt when I pass by God's word in order to figure out how to run my life.  Today was a little different being my last stroll through the store.  I had a five dollar gift card I hadn't used yet and I wanted my last Borders book to be special.  I considered getting a Bible but I decided I should probably read the ones I already have first.  I considered several of the new releases and I looked through the memoirs, which are my favorite.  Then I saw it; "The Stand" by Stephen King.  I was not a Stephen King fan until I read his memoir/how to write book.  I actually listened to it on tape.  I loved it and from there read some of his books.  Sure, they are a little freaky, but he is a good writer and I loved his writing suggestions and his story.  The Stand is said to be his best work.  It is 1,135 pages long.  It will probably take me years to read it, but it was only $7.70 and after my five dollar gift card I paid a whopping $2.70, which made me happy. 

With the economy and technology, things are only going to keep changing faster than I can keep up.  So, goodbye Borders, hello Barnes and Noble!