I fear that our attention spans are becoming so short, that reading a book is impossible. :(

This makes me very sad. I love real books & hate e-books & e-readers with a passion. Yes people reading e-books are still reading the book but they are staring at another screen. Don't people stare at screens enough all day? That's one of the things I love about real books is that they give you a break from staring at screens. Also how great is it to actually turn a page of the book you are reading instead of just clicking a button or touching a screen? It's a great feeling. We are slowing becoming more like the people in Fahrenheit 451 & that scares me a bit.

any book worth reading turns into a movie worth watching

Well, now I am just sad.

“Outside of a dog, a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.” Groucho Marx

I agree that e-books are not the same as physical books, but as long as people are reading, then it's a good thing.

#23 was an amazing store. We only visited it on vacations, but it was missed when we went to Lake Placid this year.

What's sad is that most of these are small independently owned bookstores that are being forced to close because they cant keep up with both huge bookstores like barnes and noble and the rise of the e-reader.  And in regard to the “death of reading” comment. How many people do you know that can spend $6 on a book? How many people do you know that can spend $140 on an e-reader? And sure there are still libraries. Unless funding cuts and closures continue at the rate that they are.

I find it amazing that people equate closing bookstores to the death of reading, as if libraries and eBooks don't exist.

What a sad and telling commentary on the current state of America. Truly one of the biggest shames of our time.

This breaks my heart

Heart breaking!

You'll never take my books, universe!

So it goes

My heart goes out to these book stores. But I am a writer and found it increasingly difficult to get through the NY publishing bottleneck. My NYC agent complained that no one was buying because Borders shut down, etc. Last month I made a deal with an online publisher under a pen name. The reviews are wonderful (Amazon) and the sales are brisk. I hated the idea of a Kindle, but now I own one and love using it. Riley James, author “First Lady Blues” www.seanchaimedia.com

I like books better than eReaders. I am an owner of a Nook Color and to be honest…it sucks. I was in school and got points taken off my grade because my book wouldn't “load”. I wish I never bought one.

Just as I looked at this, the song that was playing on my computer said,”Don't take it so personally. You're not the only one that time has got it in for.” I almost cried. I kinda hate my mom for buying me an ebook.

LIFE GOES ON:(

Sure a closed bookstore is sad, but isn't a closing bookstore the best thing ever? Who wouldn't get at least a little excited about randomly walking in front of #23?

“DAMN THE MAN SAVE THE EMPIRE!!!!”