Book Launch Bookstores- Their Failings

[Hoplite]

I called my local Barnes and Noble to check when Hartwig's book is going to be in stock, as usually they will put it out prior to the release date.
They told me they would NOT be getting it in, as it is a 'text book'.
Imagine my shock! I of course corrected them and told them that is why they are failing and losing customers to on-line retailers, because they have no clue.
I then gave someone else my business, even though I am a rewards member with them, and would have gotten free shipping and a discount.

 

[lupaglupa]

It may not be the bookstore's fault. They often buy from lists generated by publishers. If the publisher listed it as a textbook they would likely not ever seen it on a list of possibilities.

 

[Library Lady]

I called my local Barnes and Noble to check when Hartwig's book is going to be in stock, as usually they will put it out prior to the release date.
They told me they would NOT be getting it in, as it is a 'text book'.
Imagine my shock! I of course corrected them and told them that is why they are failing and losing customers to on-line retailers, because they have no clue.
I then gave someone else my business, even though I am a rewards member with them, and would have gotten free shipping and a discount.

Your store may not be stocking it, @Hoplite , but somebody at Barnes & Noble is.

I Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign|Hardcover

The definitive account of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day of the Civil War.The memory of the Battle of Antietam was so haunting that when, nine months later, Major Rufus Dawes learned another Antietam battle might be on the horizon, he wrote, "I hope not, I dread the...

www.barnesandnoble.com

 

[Chattahooch33]

We have two bookstores in my town, both "mom and pop". One is an eccentric place with mostly used books who beat you over the head with their weird politics and the other is "the oldest bookstore in Georgia". It is owned by an older lady who also pushes her views and politics but tries a little harder to hide it. She has a very small selection but says she can order just about any book. By all the time this takes I just order it off Amazon and it is usually in the mailbox a day or so later.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Several years ago I asked my local Barnes & Noble store about stocking a new book by a local author related to local history. I was informed they only stock what sells best online.

 

[Gary Morgan]

Several years ago I asked my local Barnes & Noble store about stocking a new book by a local author related to local history. I was informed they only stock what sells best online.

That's funny. My local Barnes and Noble has a section titled "Works by Local Authors" and a local history shelf. Then again, I live in a college town and there's a local author under every rock and behind every bush, pretty much. I once ended up waiting in line behind Jane Yolen, who was talking to Norton Juster about Eric Carle's recent death. Those are all children's authors, but all three are really big names. (Jane Yolen's got dozen of books; Norton Juster wrote the Phantom Toll Booth, and Eric Carle wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar, among other things.) Amherst can be a pretty weird place to live.

With my last 3 books, I've just gone up to the information desk and said, "I have a book coming out that's being published by Barron's (or Sourcebooks or Stackpole) and people are starting to ask me where they can get it locally. Would you be willing to order a few copies?" And they always do, and then when I check to see if they got them in, they always ask me to sign them and put stickers on saying that it's an autographed copy.

If they don't stock it, can you ask them to order you a copy of the book? My local store will do special orders, although the trend since e-books is to stock non-books as well, so there's a video section, a music section, a big kid books section and an even bigger toy section. I guess they gotta do what they gotta do to stay in business.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

@Hoplite have thought about trying to order it directly from the publisher? This can usually be done.

Many specialty bookstores, military bookstores and out of print bookstores have gone out of business over the past forty years. It's a shame and a sign of the future.

 

[breckod]

As to the Barnes and Noble discussion, I believe they had a change of management and direction sometime in the past several years, so possibly that accounts for the different experiences previously discussed.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Honestly, I haven´t been in a brick and mortar bookstore in years. I´m not picky - I´ll read a new or used hard copy, an ebook or even a pdf provided I can find something that fits my budget. i order from Amazon and ebay often.

 

[huskerblitz]

My local store will do special orders, although the trend since e-books is to stock non-books as well, so there's a video section, a music section, a big kid books section and an even bigger toy section. I guess they gotta do what they gotta do to stay in business.

That is true. They have to do what they need to in order to keep their brick-and-mortar stores open.

I'm somewhat lucky. In a nearby town, a former teacher has a used bookstore where all books are $2. Since I'm a teacher...all of mine are free! However, I always go ahead and pay the $2/book to help keep her in business. All of the books are donations and almost all are in really good shape. I've gotten a ton of Civil War books from her already and I just discovered her store over the summer.

 

[huskerblitz]

Honestly, I haven´t been in a brick and mortar bookstore in years. I´m not picky - I´ll read a new or used hard copy, an ebook or even a pdf provided I can find something that fits my budget. i order from Amazon and ebay often.

I do the same. But any of my heavy research books (generally related in some way to the 22nd Kentucky) I always get a print book as well. My most recent is from Thrift Books on the 42nd Ohio, a sister regiment to the 22nd KY and contains a lot of references to them.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

As to the Barnes and Noble discussion, I believe they had a change of management and direction sometime in the past several years, so possibly that accounts for the different experiences previously discussed.

It's also possible that, despite being a national chain, they do some things differently in some areas. A B&N in a college town is going to get a different demographic than one in an area with a lot of retirees.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I do the same. But any of my heavy research books (generally related in some way to the 22nd Kentucky) I always get a print book as well. My most recent is from Thrift Books on the 42nd Ohio, a sister regiment to the 22nd KY and contains a lot of references to them.

I´ve found it useful to have both an electronic edition and a print edition sometimes too. If a book is a brick of 600 or more pages, it´s a lot easier to read on a tablet. However, it´s a lot easier to leaf from index to text in a print edition.

 

[DixieRifles]

B&N has changed their History section. They dont label the sections for US History, WW2 History etc.
Now the History sections include biographies of actors and such.
For example, two books I spotted were Michelle Obama's book and "Hamilton"—- the musical not a biography.

 

[Hoplite]

B&N has changed their History section. They dont label the sections for US History, WW2 History etc.
Now the History sections include biographies of actors and such.
For example, two books I spotted were Michelle Obama's book and "Hamilton"—- the musical not a biography.

Update: B&N ordered it for me 8/18- said it would take a week- huzzah I thought.
Then I get the dreaded order update which says that they are having problems getting it and hopefully would be shipped to me by 9/6. After I had a few choice words with them, I cancelled the order and got it from someone else in two days.

 

[redbob]

The biggest problem that I see with bookstores these days is that they are a vanishing breed, especially those cozy little ones where you could spend all day. These days, it seems as though it is either Amazon or nothing.

 

[Belfoured]

That is true. They have to do what they need to in order to keep their brick-and-mortar stores open.

I'm somewhat lucky. In a nearby town, a former teacher has a used bookstore where all books are $2. Since I'm a teacher...all of mine are free! However, I always go ahead and pay the $2/book to help keep her in business. All of the books are donations and almost all are in really good shape. I've gotten a ton of Civil War books from her already and I just discovered her store over the summer.

Good points. There is a "used" bookstore in Port Townsend, Washington - William James Booksellers - that I always hit on my way to/from the Olympic Peninsula or when I'm on Whidbey Island. I've picked up a bunch of ACW titles, including OOP, at great prices and all in "very good"/"like new" condition.

 

[Belfoured]

It's also possible that, despite being a national chain, they do some things differently in some areas. A B&N in a college town is going to get a different demographic than one in an area with a lot of retirees.

I've noticed a big difference in what they carry even at stores in a 50- or so mile radius. It's clear that the perceived "local market" is at work. And they are in the business of trying to make sales.

 

[DaveBrt]

That is true. They have to do what they need to in order to keep their brick-and-mortar stores open.

I'm somewhat lucky. In a nearby town, a former teacher has a used bookstore where all books are $2. Since I'm a teacher...all of mine are free! However, I always go ahead and pay the $2/book to help keep her in business. All of the books are donations and almost all are in really good shape. I've gotten a ton of Civil War books from her already and I just discovered her store over the summer.

A couple of times a year, while visiting one of our daughters, we visit a great wine store and the Annapolis B&N. We take the grand kids and offer each of them any book they want -- as long as they read it before our next visit and will tell us about it. Both are always very willing takers (girl 6th grade and boy 9th grade -- both reading far above their grade levels -- private schooled).

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

As a bibliophile with far too many books, I can confidently say that thrift store are your best enemy\friend. If you are willing to dig they have quite a few interesting books for half decent prices and a large selection of used editions. Library book sales are also a good option for the budget conscious.

You should support your local bookstores whenever possible: they often stock titles that are niche, but excellent. I found a copy of "The Unwomanly Face of War" by Svetlana Alexievich , a Nobel prize winning author. I never would have discovered it, or read it, if it hadn't been for visiting a local bookshop.

Be sure also to see if your local library has any title you may be looking for, or can get through inter-library loans. Libraries aren't out to make a buck, and might have titles retailers wouldn't stock, especially older ones. I also find that sometimes borrowing books and having a due date is a good incentive to actually read them. And then you don't have my problem of having a massive pile of books lying around without enough places to put them!