Borders Bookstores

It was a sad day when I opened the email from the CEO of Borders to read that they were closing their doors permanently. I don't know if people realize how much the bookstore industry has changed and is continuing to change. The CEO talked about the eReader revolution. This has hit bookstores hard. I know that Barnes and Noble has the Nook. But there is so much they have to change to be able to promote their eReader and so much they have to continually update. It all saddens me that people feel it's better to have all these books on an eReader. I know some of you have one and it is probably useful when you are on a trip. But I still like coming home and seeing my wall of books. I enjoy walking through a bookstore (albeit mainly used bookstores right now) and looking at the dust jackets and holding one version and comparing it to another. You just can't have that with an eReader. But times change and technology keeps encroaching on all aspects of life. Farewell to Borders. I know my collection will have some more additions after I check out the sales on Friday.

John Steinbeck

On a recent trip to Half Price Books I picked up three more short stories by Steinbeck. Cannery Row, The Red Pony, and The Pearl. I had never read his works until I read Of Mice and Men. It's surprising that I have an English degree, took an American Literature class, and still missed reading material of his. I do own East of Eden. But I will start with these three short stories and finish The Neverending Story before begin East of Eden.