Make a run for the Borders....

...Especially if your local Borders store is closing.

Yes, Borders is shutting down stores all over the country due to filing for bankruptcy. The CEO sent a message out last night saying that they're still going to operate the stores that are staying open, as well stay open online.

I guess I kind of saw this coming a couple of years ago, when I went to a Borders in NJ and they were condensing and clearing out their music and movie section. They also had massive clearances on books. It was quite depressing to look at.

A friend of mine posted on his Facebook page that it was ironic how stores like Borders caused independent bookshops to close their doors (such as what was shown in "You've Got Mail") and now the Internet and the rise of e-readers (or mail DVD rentals) is causing the same thing for stores like Borders (and even big DVD rental shops, such as Blockbuster). It's pretty sad how things work in this economy. I don't even think there are any little bookstores in malls anymore, such as B. Dalton (which I last got some good deals at due to a closeout sale) or Waldenbooks. Does anyone remember Kroch and Brentano's or am I the only one? I loved that bookstore when I was younger.

For me, there's nothing like the feel of a bookstore. I love going into shops like Barnes and Noble or Borders and just browsing around for hours looking at the latest books or relaxing with my own book and a cup of tea or hot cocoa. I have fond memories of going to Borders with my friends and looking at books together or finding good deals on CDs. I also have fond memories of B&N, as I met my husband in person for the first time at one of their locations. However, since B&N is sticking around for a while, I don't have as much to say other than that I'm relieved that not all big bookstores are going by the wayside. The Borders I went to the most in Illinois is closing down. It was by a local mall and my friend and I would spend lots of time in there after we met up for dinner. I liked the layout of that Borders, as it was easy to find everything.

I haven't been to a bookstore in a while, thanks to my chick lit blog bringing in lots of review copies of books. However, not all books I want are chick lit themed and I will have to eventually go to the store to get certain ones I want outside of this category. I won a B&N gift card this past winter (thanks to a very cool author doing a contest) and can't wait to put it toward the new Jodi Picoult novel and anything else that might come out within the coming months.

Finally, I want to share my funniest Borders memory. When we lived in NJ and my younger son was a baby, I brought him and my older son to a Borders and bought some books for them. As I was checking out, little did I know but my older son was putting some gift card holders (that looked like stuffed animals) into my younger son's stroller. I didn't see them till we got to the car. Then I was all freaked out and ran back and put them inside the store. They didn't set off an alarm for some reason, but it was pretty crazy anyway. I don't think my older son knew he was stealing, as he was only three at the time. I just found it so funny that he was using his baby brother as an accomplice! Both my sons love books now, so I hope I can take them to bookstores with me and let them pick out books they want. When I was a kid (and even now), buying books was the highlight of any shopping trip. I wouldn't complain if it were the same way for my sons!