The economics of independent bookstores
You know how ex-smokers are sometimes the most militant anti-smokers? As a recovering economist, I am disgusted by Tyler Cowen's article in Slate about the uselessness of independent bookstores.
Cowen points out that superstores carry more titles, Google helps you learn about books, and online outlets make available millions of used books, far more than you could get at a used bookstore. If books were widgets, he might have a point: you can buy one much more efficiently than you could a few decades ago.
At my favorite independent bookstore, there's a table right inside the door with some new paperbacks. Whenever I go there, I buy one of them. Why? Because the owner has an uncanny understanding of my tastes. Sometimes I've heard of these books, or considered buying them in hardcover. Now that I know I can trust the store, sometimes I just pick up a book I've never heard of.
Barnes & Noble has a similar such table, but I always feel like the books it trumpets are those on which the store can make a good profit. There doesn't seem to be much personality behind the choices, and most of the selections tend to be a little older, making me suspect BN got them at a discount.
When I know the title of a good used book I'm seeking, sure, it's great to buy it online. But when I want some intellectual stimulation on a rainy Saturday, there's no more pleasant activity than rummaging through a great used bookstore. You come out of the stacks dazed sometimes, having forgotten not only the weather outside but even exactly where you are.
Back when I was an economist, I would have tried to counter Cowen's argument with discussions of measuring the utility of the bookbuying experience itself. (In fact, a few years ago I penned an essay called "Topless Beaches, Violin Cases, Undercover Cops, and -- oh, yes! -- Commercial Transactions.")
But now I think I'd just rather go read a book.
I'm always interested in feedback, via info at johnclaytonbooks...
Cowen points out that superstores carry more titles, Google helps you learn about books, and online outlets make available millions of used books, far more than you could get at a used bookstore. If books were widgets, he might have a point: you can buy one much more efficiently than you could a few decades ago.
At my favorite independent bookstore, there's a table right inside the door with some new paperbacks. Whenever I go there, I buy one of them. Why? Because the owner has an uncanny understanding of my tastes. Sometimes I've heard of these books, or considered buying them in hardcover. Now that I know I can trust the store, sometimes I just pick up a book I've never heard of.
Barnes & Noble has a similar such table, but I always feel like the books it trumpets are those on which the store can make a good profit. There doesn't seem to be much personality behind the choices, and most of the selections tend to be a little older, making me suspect BN got them at a discount.
When I know the title of a good used book I'm seeking, sure, it's great to buy it online. But when I want some intellectual stimulation on a rainy Saturday, there's no more pleasant activity than rummaging through a great used bookstore. You come out of the stacks dazed sometimes, having forgotten not only the weather outside but even exactly where you are.
Back when I was an economist, I would have tried to counter Cowen's argument with discussions of measuring the utility of the bookbuying experience itself. (In fact, a few years ago I penned an essay called "Topless Beaches, Violin Cases, Undercover Cops, and -- oh, yes! -- Commercial Transactions.")
But now I think I'd just rather go read a book.
I'm always interested in feedback, via info at johnclaytonbooks...
