Book Launch Bookstores- Their Failings

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

Also, please be more considerate to the folks that work at bookstores. Don't be a Karen: they are just trying to do their jobs, and if their system tells them that it's a "textbook" and they don't carry it, don't get angry with them. They don't make those policies or determinations, they just work there and do what their managers tell them. They're just trying to make a living like everyone else.

Lets also not be weird and gatekeep history, either. Hamilton is historical fiction, so it's history or at least history adjacent, no less so than Gone With the Wind. And, although celebrities bios are obnoxious, they too are history of a sort. Michelle Obama's biography is also historic, like it or not: she's a major historical figure as the former first lady of the first African American President of the United States. "History" is an awfully broad topic. And heavens knows, with a thousand people taking books out and then putting them back in a shop, you're lucky there is any semblance of order by the end of the day at all amongst the stacks.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Both are always very willing takers (girl 6th grade and boy 9th grade -- both reading far above their grade levels -- private schooled).

Speaking from personal experience, what makes an avid reader - which usually results in someone who reads above their grade level - is a little schooling, a little inate intelligence, and a lot of parenting.

Reading to and with children at a young age before Kindergarten both nurtures their interest and shows them books are worth their time. Any school would be hard-pressed to achieve the same result at a later age.

Be sure also to see if your local library has any title you may be looking for, or can get through inter-library loans.

ILLs are a lifesaver for "textbooks" and other rare works. I'm thankful the university nearest to me has a substantial Civil War collection and participates in ILL.

 

[Dusty]

This is a very fine and unique used bookstore where the chairs are comfortable and you could spend hours and bring your coffee, as long as it has a lid. Along with thousands of books she has a fairly large section on the Civil War in the back of the store. It is uniquely decorated with many interesting things and the owner is very friendly and loves to carry on a conversation. But the only days she is open is Friday and Saturday. Free parking in the lot across the street or at metered parking on Main Street.

Bookstore | Chambersburg Pa | Northwood Books

Northwood Books is a used bookstore located in Chambersburg PA specializing in rare, used and collectible books. More than 90,000 books and 70 categories.

www.northwoodbooks.com

 

[gjpratt]

It seems to me that the local and boutique bookstores that are surviving combine their traditional brick and mortar operations with internet sales.

 

[nc native]

I used to love to go to bookstores and will still go to one in a blue moon but a lot of them seem more interested in pushing their political viewpoints rather than selling books and keeping their opinions to themselves. Maybe I'm getting more like my father as I get older, he is a very private man and he usually kept his opinions to himself. One reason I don't have a Twitter account and there is no activity on my Facebook account is all of the back and forth about politics on those platforms.

 

[breckod]

Also, please be more considerate to the folks that work at bookstores. Don't be a Karen: they are just trying to do their jobs, and if their system tells them that it's a "textbook" and they don't carry it, don't get angry with them. They don't make those policies or determinations, they just work there and do what their managers tell them. They're just trying to make a living like everyone else.

Lets also not be weird and gatekeep history, either. Hamilton is historical fiction, so it's history or at least history adjacent, no less so than Gone With the Wind. And, although celebrities bios are obnoxious, they too are history of a sort. Michelle Obama's biography is also historic, like it or not: she's a major historical figure as the former first lady of the first African American President of the United States. "History" is an awfully broad topic. And heavens knows, with a thousand people taking books out and then putting them back in a shop, you're lucky there is any semblance of order by the end of the day at all amongst the stacks.

It is also quite possible the person complaining about Hamilton actually saw the Chernow book, which is exactly the sort of book you might expect to find in the history section of a bookstore.

 

[huskerblitz]

I used to love to go to bookstores and will still go to one in a blue moon but a lot of them seem more interested in pushing their political viewpoints rather than selling books and keeping their opinions to themselves. Maybe I'm getting more like my father as I get older, he is a very private man and he usually kept his opinions to himself. One reason I don't have a Twitter account and there is no activity on my Facebook account is all of the back and forth about politics on those platforms.

I try to hit a variety of bookstores when I get to larger areas. I can say I've never seen a bookstore push any political agenda.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I too have loved all bookstores from an early age.

I'm fortunate to live in a state with two nationally acclaimed independent book sellers.
Square Books in Oxford, MS.

A history of Square Books

www.squarebooks.com

and

Lemuria in Jackson,MS.

About Lemuria Books

About Lemuria Books

www.lemuriabooks.com

And many other local long gone bookstores.

One thing I've noticed over the last 25 - 30 years ( in my area) , at first it seemed the national chains started to drive out the independents. Then the national chain stores started to eliminate each other. After that, the "internet" came along ( Amazon)
... and changed everything.

However, I will always prefer an eccentric independent bookstore.

 

[breckod]

I try to hit a variety of bookstores when I get to larger areas. I can say I've never seen a bookstore push any political agenda.

In my experience, people making this complaint tend to be using a very loose definition of one (and frequently both) of "push" and "political".

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

It is also quite possible the person complaining about Hamilton actually saw the Chernow book, which is exactly the sort of book you might expect to find in the history section of a bookstore.

I think Chernow's biography got a new edition with a new cover that linked it to the musical. So confusion wouldn't be surprising.

I wonder how many people who see the musical realize Hamilton was a real person.

In my experience, people making this complaint tend to be using a very loose definition of one (and frequently both) of "push" and "political".

For several years my local library had the American History shelves in New Nonfiction swamped by books related to one specific topic. Not because they were pushing the topic, but because the books were in demand from the patrons and probably bestsellers.

When I worked in public libraries we got a lot of retirees who would come in every week and place a hold on literally every book on the Bestseller list. I bet some of those folks buy their books instead.

There sadly are local businesses that openly push the owner's politics. Given that books can influence opinions - more than say food - I would expect independent bookstores are more likely to be openly partisan businesses than most other types of businesses.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

As someone who has several friends who are really into musicals, including Hamilton, I can confirm that some of them are not only know he is a historical figure but are also deeply interested in history.

The average fan might mistake some of fictional elements of the piece for reality, but actually Hamilton being a prominent (yet previously little recognized) founder was one of the musicals big draws I think. Much like that of Les Mis', actually. Of course, being on our currency also helped with the name draw.

Now, I'm sure they don't know every single detail of the real Hamilton's life... but that's why it's great we have more academic works available for the more interested fan to investigate. It's great to hear there's a new biography out about him.

 

[Library Lady]

In case you subscribe to the belief that if you want to have something done right then you have to do it yourself, Bookriot has some information for you on what it would cost to open your own bookstore. I've seen that thread of "shelfie" photos. Some of you have ready-made inventory!

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Bookstore? | Book Riot

Despite countless economic recessions, bookstores have been stable. Here’s how much it costs to open that dream business.

bookriot.com

 

[Tony Z]

We're a very weird lot, aren't we? In my mind (and I suspect I'm not alone), we think all bookstores must be like the one at Gettysburg visitor center. We think all online sources must be like Bob Younger's old Morningside Books.

Alas, as already mentioned, bookstores are stocked and managed by demographics of the local region.

 

[Belfoured]

In case you subscribe to the belief that if you want to have something done right then you have to do it yourself, Bookriot has some information for you on what it would cost to open your own bookstore. I've seen that thread of "shelfie" photos. Some of you have ready-made inventory!

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Bookstore? | Book Riot

Despite countless economic recessions, bookstores have been stable. Here’s how much it costs to open that dream business.

bookriot.com

Interesting stuff - thanks for posting. Specific to the CWT forums, one thing it doesn't address is the sort of "boutique" bookstore that seems to be the theme here and the result of complaints about what B&N stocks, etc. That involves thoroughly assessing the local market or you'll be involved in a very expensive hobby. It also involves stocking requirements, given that so many of the ACW books that we're focused on are published by academic presses (UNC, LSU, Kansas, etc) or specialty publishers (SB, McFarland, etc). I have no idea what their order volume/pricing requirements are. All in a world where Amazon and B&N online exist.

 

[Belfoured]

We're a very weird lot, aren't we? In my mind (and I suspect I'm not alone), we think all bookstores must be like the one at Gettysburg visitor center. We think all online sources must be like Bob Younger's old Morningside Books.

Alas, as already mentioned, bookstores are stocked and managed by demographics of the local region.

Market economics and capitalism in action, in other words.