Ann Patchett on new chapter for independent bookstores

[Evil Eye]

Best-selling author and store owner Ann Patchett talks about the fate of independent bookstores and why a revival seems more possible these days than ever before.



For many years, independent bookstores were on the list of endangered species when national retail chains and internet commerce began to chip away at their consumer base. It left a city like Nashville, Tennessee (population 626,000) without a proper bookstore.



The BBC's Franz Strasser paid a visit to Ms Patchett's new Parnassus bookstore and spoke to customers as well as authors Myra McEntire (Hourglass) and Amy Plum (Until I Die).

Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18256087





Do you read?

Have you read a physical book recently?

Have you read an ebook recently?

Do you like to have a physical book?

 

[DrLeftover]

Of course.



Yes. For research. They don't depend an internet connection that has a mind of its own.



No. But I did just wrote one, why? do you want to read it?



that can be arranged.

 

[Sinon]

Yes yes no yes.



We only have one bookstore where I live, and it only carries new releases mainly. So I shop online.

 

[Scarlet Rose]

Yes, I typically get at least some reading in on a daily basis.

A vast majority of the books I read are physical copy.

It depends both on how much reading is required to qualify as reading. So potentially yes.

I vastly prefer physical copies over electronic variants.

 

[Evil Eye]

I'd probably better answer my own questions...

Yes, yes, no, yes.

Though I did download the Anarchist's Cookbook (still have to read it) and Lord of the Flies (not for reading as I'd already read it in physical form) this year.

They don't depend an internet connection that has a mind of its own.

True, they also don't require power. I thought you only needed the internet to get the book once, though.

do you want to read it?

That book you've been talking about? All right, yes.

So I shop online.

Same, not to mention the amount of books available in English is rather limited (as might be expected).

It depends both on how much reading is required to qualify as reading.

In this day and age? Any. If you finish one book a year you'd still be reading more than a lot of people.