RIP Borders

For as long as I can remember, books have played a vital part in my life. In a way, those stories I got to read about, be it fantastical journeys or just some suburban fairytales, shaped who I was and who I am. And I finally just read the news that Borders will be closing.


I won't lie and say Borders has been the only place I've gone to buy (or read) a book in my lifetime, thanks to the library, but I'd say it has probably been the only store I've gone back to countless times after holidays, when I was searching for a gift, or just when I had time to kill in the mall while my mother got her hair done.


I used to love going to Waldenbooks back in the day, before Borders came along in the Crystal Run Galleria, and it was at a time when I was just discovering the young adult section. There were two bays full of books just for young adults and I was very excited about it, because they often explored themes and stories that I just wasn't able to talk about with anyone else. When the new Harry Potter book came out and  the newspaper promised a "Diagon Alley" recreation, I rounded up my mom and sisters, and we drove down at 6am just so we could see it.


Then came the day I found out they were closing the Waldenbooks, which was sad. The book store was pretty much the only place I went at the mall; I was awkward about shopping for clothes. Borders was coming to take its place instead, which was the same company, promising a bigger and better store.


I remember the first time I was asked to join the Borders Rewards club once when I was in Albany, and I awkwardly (a theme here) stumbled out something along the lines of how I never went to Borders so I didn't need to join. 
But now, I can't even imagine a world where I can't just stop by the Borders at the back corner of the mall (even though I'm sure more stores will have gone by the time I see that mall again). I can't imagine not being barraged by coupons and special offers and selections just for me sitting in my inbox. I don't think I've ever felt that way about Barnes and Noble, as cool as that store is. I think Barnes and Noble will always hold a place in my heart as that stupid store that wouldn't give me even half my money back at the end of my college semesters when I was trying to sell my books back.


Borders offered a sense of community, as cliche as that statement is. I always felt welcome and the chairs always seemed comfy. And instead of two bays of young adult fiction, there were about ten (of which I had to endlessly read the backs of just to try and find the one book that would pique my curiosity for the moment). Plus tables in the aisle. There would be special sections featuring classic literature, something that always made me giddy until I looked at how much the book was. My most favorite part of all were the Lindt truffles that waited for you at the cash register. I know that sounds lame and the fat part of me is just scratching her head and wondering why in the world we're telling the world how in a store full of endless books, the part I liked best was the food, but it's the truth. I'd always buy books that were way more expensive than I thought they would be (even discounted, books aren't the cheapest commodity out there) and those shiny delights would just sit there, 39 cents each, just asking to be bought. And of course, at the time, I'd be with my family so I just had to get them one as well. 


These are the types of things that you get with a bookstore, something you won't always be able to have.  Because the fact is, the manufacturing of literature is changing. There's nothing quite like picking up a new book, cracking open the binding, and getting lost for hours. But with E-Readers gaining popularity (which isn't news to anyone), it begs the question: Will there one day be no books? Will libraries cease to exist? 


I don't think I can even think of that happening, but who knows? It might just be possible.


I received an email yesterday, which I scanned over quickly without even stopping to read the subject line. It was, yet again, an email from Borders. It's a daily habit, really, ignoring them, because its been a while since I've even been in a store, let alone felt the need to print out a coupon. But I read it today and it made me incredibly sad. I'm sure many of you received the same one, but I will post it below anyway.

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