I Will Miss You, Borders

Last week brought an announcement that made me cry. Every Borders store will be closing their doors. I've been going to Borders every Wednesday for--well, I can't even remember how long it's been. I took my daughter to story time and we enjoyed shopping there. Borders has been part of my life for years, and now I have to say goodbye.

Let me explain why this bothers me so much. When I was growing up, my favorite thing to do was go to the bookstore. My parents took me every weekend. We'd go to the mall and I'd go into Waldenbooks (owned by Borders). I'd browse the shelves and narrow all the great choices down to one. Then I'd read while walking through the mall as my parents shopped. Sure, I liked toy stores like every other kid. But given the choice, I'd take the bookstore any day. With Borders closing and more people buying books online, it makes me wonder if my daughter and millions of other kids will miss out on the experience I cherished as a child. That brings tears to my eyes.

I admit I have a Kindle. I shop on Amazon. But I read more books in print. I buy more books from bookstores than from Amazon. Nothing against Amazon. I've used them for years, but I don't want to lose my bookstores. In eight weeks, when my Borders is cleared out, I will have no bookstores by me. None. A world without books, is not one I want to live in. I'll have to drive to New Jersey to buy books. That's just sad.

I could go on, but I'd love to hear from you. What's your reaction to Borders closing for good? Do you think bookstores will all eventually suffer the same fate? (Man, it hurt to even type that.)