Thursday, January 5, 2012

reading

There was news this week of another independent bookstore closing. This particular one is the oldest indie bookseller (45 years) in the city. They are not necessarily closing because of poor sales or lack of customers, but mostly because of the dramatic increase in rent. This could be seen as a good thing, in that the city is thriving and neighbourhoods are becoming prosperous, but it is also a bad thing because only big name chain stores can afford these higher rents, so the local shops close up and the flavour of the neighbourhood becomes a little less interesting.

But books and bookstores are thriving.

If there were a theme to our family Christmas presents, it would have to be books. Every one of us received at least one book, some more than one. No kindles or kobos or e-readers for my family, we are all about the old fashioned, physical turning of the pages. We exchanged books not only for reading, but also for writing and for drawing. I will have to start journaling again in my pretty notebook, something that went by the wayside once I started blogging.

I was frantically trying to finish one book I had bought as a present, until I realized I was enjoying it so much that I wanted my own copy. Books are always fun to give to people. It is, in a way, my default gift, but not always because I can't think of anything else. In a strange way, it feels more personal to buy someone a book, more like sharing a bit of yourself. Sometimes, it is a book that I have read and loved and want others to experience. Sometimes, it is one that I have come across and think that a certain person might enjoy. I don't think I have ever been disappointed in getting a book as a gift. I have been introduced to authors I'd not heard of, and to ones I thought I wouldn't like. I once received a book that I waited three years to read - it took that long before I was desperate enough interested in it. Still, I kept it on my shelf, always thinking that one day I might pick it up even though a voice in the back of my mind said "but you don't like Stephen King". I discovered, maybe I did, after all.

This year I got an anthology of short stories. It is perfect for leaving in the car for emergency reading. I like to have something in hand when sitting in a restaurant on my own and a novel is too long and sometimes too engrossing; it can be hard to find the right spot for a break. But a short story is perfect for holding one's attention for just long enough. And this book is a collection of new writers, so every story is a true surprise. The other book I got was the darling of the literary world in 2011, The Sisters Brothers. Up for numerous awards and given gallons of praise by every reviewer, but somehow, something about it just didn't appeal. So I never bothered with it and had no intentions of reading it. But since I now have it in my possession, I decided to look through it before rearranging my shelves to make it fit. Haven't been able to put it down for the past two days. It is different. Definitely a unique style. And a darkly funny, offbeat western about a reluctant outlaw and his murderous brother. 

I have discovered a new side to myself.

13 comments:

  1. Reading is the best possible use of free time. This past couple of years I've taken books with me to all the medical appointments and then you hardly notice the time spent waiting. Deb and I got Kobos this christmas to make it easier to carry and entire library with us. I'll find out soon if it is as good as an actual book. As soon as I finish the 3 paper books I still have to read

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  2. It's a shame when the independent bookstores go out of business. So many of the shops are now chain stores. You could be in any town at all and not discover anything new.

    I don't have a kindle yet. I'm afraid the dog will eat it and that I will come to regret it very much. I'd rather he'd just eat a book.

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  3. Dave: I agree, it is the best way of killing time while waiting. but, I have no need to carry around my whole library with me. maybe I am just reluctant to embrace change, though I will admit, I have not bought a book because I didn't like the typeface and knew it would be hard to read.

    Nora: I agree about streets and malls all being the same when filled with chain stores. though, in this case, the most important factor is the loss of informed staff - the big box book stores have a serious deficit of knowledge regarding the books in their store.

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  4. The rents in our town, both in the High Street and in the Indoor Market, have shot sky high, and many have closed. Like you, I don't think chain stores are any sort of replacement for independent retailers. And in the market, the little shops/stalls just remain boarded up, so it doesn't look at all welcoming, so fewer people go in, so more retailers close and its a vicious circle.

    But I too love books. they are my escape hatch, away from the difficulties of today. I can read anything, anywhere, but I do like a really good detective story, not a thriller, though I like being thrilled, and no gratuitous sex and violence!

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  5. Gilly: I would like to live someplace where the city planners recognized this and were proactive in tackling the issue. Instead, neighbourhoods/towns seem to be constantly battling ...and often losing.

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  6. Reading. There's nothing better. I have converted to ebooks though (I have both a Kingle - a gift - and a Kobo - which I bought for myself since I can get library books and books from various sources on it). At first I thought I'd miss the paper, but it turns out that all things considered, it's the words and not the support that are important to me. Major pluses include not trying to read a 1000 pager while hanging onto a bus strap during my commute. Whatever the size of the book it's always only a few ounces. The ease and convenience and space saving!!! Plus the price of the books means I have more money to put on graphic novels and art books which, really, can only be paper...

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  7. And obviously, that should have read KINDLE

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  8. Love books, and movies made from books and my kindle!! Kindle is great when traveling. Love it
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  9. Jazz: I agree, the price of books on the kobo are a far better deal. Personally, I choose not to read that 1000 pager when taking transit. I have different books for different trips - ones that fit in my purse, ones that are easier to read, ones with shorter chapters, etc.

    SueAnn: with my propensity for dropping things, I would be wary of taking a kindle on holiday ;)

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  10. yes, books are the best present. I am bias, I am a writer.

    It was an Indie bookstore who was first to sell my book.

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  11. Ann: that is another advantage to indie bookstores - you can often find books there that the bigger bookstores don't, or won't carry. Each of the smaller bookstores have their own specialties it seems.

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  12. I LOVE to receive books as gifts. I keep thinking I need to pick up a copy of The Siters Brothers.

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  13. EG: definitely. I hope you enjoy it.

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