Comments on: Book Browsing And You http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/ science fiction, fantasy, and horror book reviews and news Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:29:35 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Netflix Nation — Have We Become Shut-Ins, or Film Scholars? — BillWardWriter.com http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/comment-page-1/#comment-2596 Netflix Nation — Have We Become Shut-Ins, or Film Scholars? — BillWardWriter.com Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:05:14 +0000 http://billwardwriter.com/?p=1754#comment-2596 [...] So, when I was reading Richard Corliss’ condemnation of an infinitely preferable method of getting one’s movies, ‘Why Netflix Sucks,’ on The Times online, I couldn’t really relate to his point of view. He was talking about knowledgeable and helpful staff at well-stocked indie video stores in some sort of urban Candyland — I was thinking about Friday nights at Blockbuster in the ‘burbs and high school kids that think Sergio Leone is an Olive Garden Special. But then I got to thinking that some of his criticisms are similar to one’s I’ve made concerning books and bookstores, and the joys of browsing versus the ease of online shopping. [...] [...] So, when I was reading Richard Corliss’ condemnation of an infinitely preferable method of getting one’s movies, ‘Why Netflix Sucks,’ on The Times online, I couldn’t really relate to his point of view. He was talking about knowledgeable and helpful staff at well-stocked indie video stores in some sort of urban Candyland — I was thinking about Friday nights at Blockbuster in the ‘burbs and high school kids that think Sergio Leone is an Olive Garden Special. But then I got to thinking that some of his criticisms are similar to one’s I’ve made concerning books and bookstores, and the joys of browsing versus the ease of online shopping. [...]

]]> By: Bill Ward http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/comment-page-1/#comment-2333 Bill Ward Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:06:00 +0000 http://billwardwriter.com/?p=1754#comment-2333 I hate to see that -- I think it's great when an indie store can expand with web sales and generate some more income to stay afloat, but it's a shame when they just decide to convert to online sales exclusively. And, like you I have those same sorts of memories about discovering particular books or authors in certain places -- but you'll never hear someone saying that a book 'called to them' from somebody's ebay storefront. There's very little magic in the online world. I hate to see that — I think it’s great when an indie store can expand with web sales and generate some more income to stay afloat, but it’s a shame when they just decide to convert to online sales exclusively.

And, like you I have those same sorts of memories about discovering particular books or authors in certain places — but you’ll never hear someone saying that a book ‘called to them’ from somebody’s ebay storefront. There’s very little magic in the online world.

]]> By: Paul McNamee http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/comment-page-1/#comment-2332 Paul McNamee Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:21:30 +0000 http://billwardwriter.com/?p=1754#comment-2332 Another one down. :( I was out in the western part of my state yesterday and drove by a spot where there used to be a great used book store. 's gone. I did a quick websearch this morning and found that they went online and closed the brick and mortar, they didn't just change location (that was a long shot wish, anyway.) I don't know if I actually bought a Wagner <i>Kane</i> book there, but I know that was the first place <i>Dark Crusade</i> called to me from the shelf. I do remember getting the Lancer edition of <i>Conan the Freebooter</i> there (with the graphic cover of the ape having its limb hacked off, later replaced by a scene from "A Witch Shall Be Born" by ACE.) Good times. ;) Another one down. :(

I was out in the western part of my state yesterday and drove by a spot where there used to be a great used book store. ’s gone. I did a quick websearch this morning and found that they went online and closed the brick and mortar, they didn’t just change location (that was a long shot wish, anyway.)

I don’t know if I actually bought a Wagner Kane book there, but I know that was the first place Dark Crusade called to me from the shelf.

I do remember getting the Lancer edition of Conan the Freebooter there (with the graphic cover of the ape having its limb hacked off, later replaced by a scene from “A Witch Shall Be Born” by ACE.)

Good times. ;)

]]> By: gaydegani http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/comment-page-1/#comment-2324 gaydegani Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:36:17 +0000 http://billwardwriter.com/?p=1754#comment-2324 Aftershave? Oh my god. That would drive me crazy. Aftershave? Oh my god. That would drive me crazy.

]]> By: Bill Ward http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/comment-page-1/#comment-2321 Bill Ward Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:57:43 +0000 http://billwardwriter.com/?p=1754#comment-2321 They should bottle that scent like they do with 'new car smell,' I'd use it on my bookshelves. Or as aftershave. They should bottle that scent like they do with ‘new car smell,’ I’d use it on my bookshelves. Or as aftershave.

]]> By: gaydegani http://billwardwriter.com/book-browsing-and-you/comment-page-1/#comment-2320 gaydegani Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:04:17 +0000 http://billwardwriter.com/?p=1754#comment-2320 Live without that first smell of paper and ink when I walk into a book store...say it ain't so. Live without that first smell of paper and ink when I walk into a book store…say it ain’t so.

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