Bookstores—big bookstores, indie bookstores, and everything in between—are starting to charge admission for author readings, according to the Times, shoppers are increasingly viewing bookstores as "merely another library," where they'll browse, ask for staff recommendations, type those recommendations into their iPhones, and then go home without buying. “If [customers] aren’t purchasing the books from the establishments that are running these events, the bookstores are going to go away," said one bookstore owner. So some stores are charging nominal fees—usually in the $10 range—to attend events, which have traditionally been free and considered part of the "community spirit" of the literary world.
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Results tagged “bookstores”
Should Bookstores Charge For Readings?
Monobookist: When A West Village Pop-Up Sells One Book
Andrew Kessler is the author of Martian Summer: Robot Arms, Cowboy Spacemen, and My 90 Days With Phoenix Mars Mission. To counter the cruel, iPad-eat-Kindle world that we live in, he's opened up a bookstore in the West Village that only sells his book. No biscotti. No booze. No Josh Groban CDs. Neat! Mind if we use the bathroom?
Ten Best Independent Bookstores of NYC
Anyone who lives and reads in New York City knows that we are lucky enough to be surrounded by an abundance of independent bookstores—despite the fact that some of our favorites continue to fold. In celebration of the indie gems that remain, we've homed in on some of our favorites. The following shops score high in categories such as best prices, ambiance, cute employees, and the all-important Cat Factor.
Are Books The New Black For Clothing Stores?
Once upon a time it was simple. If you wanted to buy a book you'd go to a bookstore, if you wanted to buy some music you'd go to a music store, and if you wanted to buy clothes you'd go to a clothing store. But something funny has happened since online shopping came around. Stores are starting to shake up what they sell. We've been noticing the trend for awhile now—last year we talked to a condom company CEO who is pushing his wares in clothing and grocery stores in addition to the expected drug stores—and this weekend the Times caught on to the trend, specifically the publishing industry's push to sell books everywhere they can.
Barnes & Noble Calls Lincoln Square Rents "Impossible"
Yesterday, Barnes and Noble announced that it will be closing its Lincoln Center location in January. Company spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating said it was "economically impossible" to keep the location open after their lease ends this year because of rent hikes, but they'll "reassign as many booksellers as possible to our remaining New York City and neighboring stores."
Map: Walking Tour for the Kindle-less
Listen up bookworms, if you haven't purchased a Kindle yet and are interested in picking up some real books, there's a walking tour just for you. Two years ago, The Millions compiled a map for an NYC Indie Bookstore jaunt, and they've just announced a new, improved, updated and expanded one. Organizers say, "It would be belaboring the obvious to say the last two years have been tough times for the bookmen and bookwomen. And yet, despite the vagaries of the business, independent bookstores continue to open, and to serve as hubs for communities real and imagined." Of course, many shops have closed down (or moved) as well. Even chains like the Astor Place Barnes & Noble have been forced to shutter over recent years.
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