The end of an era
Barnes & Noble is closing two of their stores in San Jose. 
Today was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving; a big shopping day for Americans, but for me, it was a writing day. Yesterday was a day of reading and eating, which closed with a meal out at Black Angus family restaurant.
I’d never seen Black Angus so packed. There must have been a hundred people queued up to eat, aside from maybe two hundred or so diners in progress. The phrase the waiting guests were using was, “No one wanted to cook”.
My wife asked me if I wanted to wait or go home. Going home was not an option, not as long as she was definitely willing to stay. Our reservation was for 7pm, and we were twenty minutes early. Talking to a few agreeable hopeful eaters, we had some good fellowship, and were seated around 8pm.
The food was good. In my failed bid for vegetarianism, I opted for the ribeye with salad and mac ‘n’ cheese. We ordered cheesy bread for starters but they forgot our order.
When the steaks arrived, they realized their mistake, but I opted out, saying we had ample food. They insisted on comping me the bread, so we took it home and enjoyed it later.
Heading home, I was grateful for the meal, but we probably wouldn’t go there on Thanksgiving again; not if it was going to be that busy.The next day, writing day, I decided to go to Barnes & Noble. My wife said it would be madness there on Black Friday, but I work from home all week and decided to chance the crowds.
It was actually quite normal, busyness-wise, but some of the shelves were empty. They are closing this location in January, and I, for one, will miss it.
However, I didn’t ever really spend much money there, and perhaps that is the problem. They only sell new books… and other related items, and purchasing a new hardback (or even a paperback), is very expensive for me. I spend more money at the used bookstores, the little mom & pops, where I can get a book for a few bucks or so.
I took some photos of their writing magazine section, some popular books I’m interested in, and noted they had zero copies of the new Michael Connelly book, The Waiting. When I asked if it had sold out, they confirmed it had.
I was surprised a big retailer like Barnes’ would let that happen, but Connelly is VERY popular, and this store is on its way out.
The first book of interest I saw was by rapper Curtis, “50 Cent” Jackson, The Accomplice, but it was around $30 new, so with the store’s nice 25% discount, it was still a bit hefty for me to lug home…
They had at least one copy of the new Baldacci, a Travis Devine thriller, To Die For, and the winner of the National Book Award for fiction: James, by Percival Everett.
I also spied a Len Deighton mystery, The Ipcress File (Michael Caine starred in the film treatment in the 1960s), that I almost purchased.
For the actor/foodie in me, I couldn’t have gone very wrong with one of actor Stanley Tucci’s books on the same subject, What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts). I’m not sure why I didn’t spy that particular volume…
I’ll miss this big box store, with it’s Starbucks, handsome journals, magazines, DVDs and audio items, and hope the little bookstores hang on.
Books should be more than attractive covers, but often that seems like all they are. I guess each of us find something compelling on the inside of many, or those who enjoy a good read.
I’ll say farewell to Barnes & Noble’s Almaden shop. Books are a good escape from the world that have fewer traps for me that most television, and sometimes they inspire me as well…I hope these fine folks land in good new jobs soon.
