Out of touch

People have often asked me over the last year what I miss most about book selling, and I have never quite known the answer….but, I know now. The answer came as I walked into my old store after a 6 months absence…..it was the tactile experience of books. After hellos to everyone, I found myself going from shelf to shelf picking up books, looking at inside flaps, and checking our the author photo. All the time spent on Books & Company’s website (www.booksco.com), indie Bound, Ipage, or Shelf Awareness just doesn’t take the place of having that book in your hands. I miss having the spontaneous and spirited conversations about books that you are so easily able to have in a community bookstore.