Where To Buy Books?

Matt Yglesias of the Atlantic wrote a post that caused some circumspection. As a book lover, I will always revere the book store, whether chain or independent. In a perfect world, I would frequent an independent seller every weekend, willfully handing over my money to support a small business owner (one day I hope to do so). As a relatively poor individual, however, I greatly appreciate the prices of Amazon.com. Amazon has done well in their attempt to translate the book store experience into an online format (whoever came up with the idea to scan select pages of each book so that the online shopper can "flip" through a potential purchase was well to do so). If I hear about a book or author that intrigues me, I quickly look up a title, add it to my Wish List, and buy it at a later date. The conveinence of Amazon just cannot be outdone.

Recently I purchased 1 Dead in Attic, by Chris Rose. At a book store, it would have cost $15. Amazon's price: $10.20. For someone who attempts to read about a book a week, the year-long savings are apparent.

However, I will always extol the average book store experience. A recent bout of fickleness regarding my next literary endeavour reaffirmed this. Meandering fluidly through aisles of books, removing one from its spot, flipping through it, then returning it is, dare I say, a mystical experience for me.

Comparing online and in-store book buying is similar to dating. Yes, web sites such as E-Harmony, Match and Chemistry are popular and, to varying degrees, successful. However, sometimes you need to meet another person face to face to see if the sparks fly.