A great travesty has been brought to my attention, something which will bring my town if not the entire state to its knees.
The local Borders is closing.
It's worth noting that I have no bookstore loyalty. I'm fairly mercenary in my buying habits; like a crack addict, I'll pay whomever can get me my fix. In the conflict between Borders and Barnes and Noble, I take no side. However, the local bookstores all have varying degrees of sentimental value to me.
Mom took me to that Borders the day I got my learner's permit, as a reward for passing the test. I still remember my purchases that rainy afternoon: "Midnighters: The Secret Hour" by Scott Westerfeld and the fall 2008 issue of Haute Doll Magazine. Both still sit, well-thumbed and with worn spines, in my room.
At that Borders, I first kissed my second boyfriend (in the sci-fi/fantasy section, by a display of D&D books). We had many subsequent dates there, planning joint stories behind shelves of manga books.
I bought a guidebook and several phrasebooks in that store just last spring, in preparation for my first overseas trip. The glossy photos and glowing descriptions within ameliorated the butterflies that had been growing steadily stronger in my stomach as the eight-hour flight across an ocean approached.
In short, the local Borders is full of memories for me. Besides the significant experiences, I have spent many a happy hour just browsing its shelves. Frankly, the closing of a bookstore is always like the death of a much-loved pet to me- in this case, the senseless death of a dog being hit by a car.
Farewell, Borders. You will live on in our hearts. Now, who wants to come burn down the Kindle factory with me?
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