Every year there are fewer independent bookstores. The big box bookstores drive independents out of business, then the big box model runs into headwinds of its own. Borders is on the brink of bankruptcy. Is everyone going to Amazon or e-books? What happened to the simple pleasure of browsing down aisles of books to stumble across something completely unexpected?
The Millrace Bookstore is a very small bookstore in Farmington. It looks over the Farmington River.
Millrace feels more like a library in a musty old home than a store. It comes complete with a cat to sit on your lap. So long as you pick a chair in the sun.
This is a kind of place that I would be very happy visiting!And the cute cat could sit on my lap, it's a dream! :)
ReplyDeleteThis picture is so sweet, it reminds me those illustration for children book, very well captured!
The blue chair is sooo charming!
Thanks for sharing!
Léia
Until Kindles and their ilk came along, the bookstores were more like libraries. I have given up neither bookstores (independents when I can find them) nor libraries. I wouldn't mind having a Kindle for travelling, but I still prefer the paper version. I wonder if this is generational? I have been surprised at how many of my former colleagues (English teachers) have been converted to the electronic versions...and LOVE them. I'm still holding out!
ReplyDeletePS. I love your photo. If I were a cat, I'd stretch out in the sun on that lovely-looking rug, too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a cozy, comfy spot to enjoy a book! No thanks for the cat to sit on my kitty allergic lap but he's fine on the floor!
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit that I shop on Amazon. Why? Because I read mainly in English and German and it's the only way for me to get the books. Otherwise, I would have to go to the English and German bookshops in Paris, order the books, go to fetch them a couple of weeks or more later.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I received the book about Pendleton Round Up's 100th birthday. Where in heaven's name would I have been able to buy that in Paris?
I do, however, literally scour all bookshops that I come across. And I invariably buy my French books at the shop. You'll never seen me coming back from travelling without a couple of shop bought books (including in languages I do not master. I have a lovely book on Mucha in Czech which I bought in Prague!)
Though I go to big box stores for all the rest (DVDs, CDs, printer cartridges etc.), I usually avoid the book department. They only have the bestsellers anyway (which in turn only serves to impoverish what's in print).
So... am I bad?
This, by the way, is such an invitation! Nothing can surpass the joy of touching, feeling, smelling a book (and most certainly not e-books. YUCK. I've never tried, but yuck!)
Good grief, I didn't mean to be that long.
ReplyDeleteI could spend some hours here.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a great place to browse. I still buy books from shops, though they can't usually compete on price with Amazon. I try to support the bookshop in Salts Mill. It's also a really quirky place.
ReplyDeleteI thought that it was a home... complete with a cat. I always support local bookstores, supplemented with Amazon from time to time.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about this place... I would go just for the cat-in-the-lap
Bises,
Genie
What a great place. I'd love to browse in here and find intesting books to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely place Jack! I love bookstores and this one could be my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI love the independents and I shop them first before going to the major stores. I love the shop kitty!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely looks like someone's home. Cool!
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons that I don't own a Kindle is because I LOVE bookstores like this. I hope they won't become a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that all this charming stores have a resident kitty.
☼ Sunny
I have never bought a book on-line. I'll take a book store anytime but they are suffering here too and all the independents here do a lot of their business over the internet now. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteIs this a nice store, very familiar.
ReplyDeleteI could sit and read a book here. We have a great independent bookstore - Rainy Day Books. They bring many author events to KC. I enjoy the independent bookstores also.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great spot. It's nice to see that the owner of the bookstore let you include him in the photograph!
ReplyDeleteI love bookstores, I call myself a bookaholic. I have to have one lined up ready to read before I'm finished with my current one or things feel off to me. I do buy books on Amazon, but I also buy them at the bookstore here. I haven't gone the e-book route yet. I like the feel of a book in my hand.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a perfect bookstore to me. What a great place to hang out and just browse.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a locally owned bookstore -- and with a cat! There are three independent bookstores in Sarasota right now. Believe it or not, a fourth is about to open soon. As for me, I love to browse books. I'm way too old school for e-books (although, I've listened to books on CD during long road trips).
ReplyDeleteThat is a bookstore? I simply love it! You are absolutely right about bookstores, here is even worse. It is always more difficult to find on even remotely like this.
ReplyDeleteI would go there just for the cat!
ReplyDelete