A Love Letter to Barnes & Noble
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I automatically feel a wave of comfort any time I step into a Barnes & Noble. Walking into the instant scent of fresh new books, the perfectly lined shelves of spines, and the people nestled in a corner indulging in their latest read. Barnes & Noble’s front doors welcome everyone with open arms to an authentic experience. It even doubles as a hangout spot with seating options, a children's section, and even Starbucks, creating an adventure rather than a quick trip. I may be biased (considering I’m a book fanatic) and think the trip to the bookstore is better than the book itself, but there is something unique about the touch of a fresh book and reading the back cover.
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The eclectic mix of books adds to the timeless feeling when browsing the store. People feel as though they can spend time browsing shelves and finding books that stick out to them. Rather than running around trying to check things off their to-do list, Barnes and Noble feels like a break from our daily tasks rather than a chore. I have always found that I could relax in the store and take as much time as I needed to find the book that was perfect for me. I even enjoy the bin of free kids’ bookmarks, the crowded bulletin board of local advertisements, and the study group that meets every week for tutoring sessions. Just like a book can tell a story, so can a bookstore. There is more significance in picking up a fresh book, and it even makes me more eager to start the book as soon as I get home.
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It’s unfortunate thinking about how we see fewer and fewer bookstores remaining over time. As society moves towards technological convivence, we cut out the small experiences that often make someone’s day. I, for one, look forward to leaving the house for my monthly Barnes & Noble trip entailing a quick Starbucks coffee purchase, an aimless browse through the bookshelves, and conversations with kind employees or fellow customers. Although I may sound dramatic, this sentiment is overlooked these days. Paper books were replaced by iPad swipes or audio from a phone. Shopping has evolved from an experience to instead a click on a screen. Rather than face-to-face interaction, we type with one another via social media.
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Books connect us through words, curiosity, and excitement. Bookstores bring together a community of all ages with interests to learn or research. In one corner, a little girl is getting a Junie B. Jones book. In the next, a woman buys new books for her grandkids. The power to connect people through words is undeniably the reason Barnes & Noble still stands within a community of its own. So, stop at the next Barnes & Noble you come across, I promise you won’t regret it!
Strike Out,
Writer: Bella Ferretti
Editor:
Tallahassee