Obviously I am a fan of reading and writing. They are some of the greatest expressions humans are gifted with. Included in that would be all other forms of art that can that can change your mind, effect your mood and take you to another time. Paintings and abstract objects that move you. Music that can transcend time. And books. Books can allow you to live 1,000 lives in one. By reading you gain knowledge and a better understand of this little world that we can't possibly cover in this one life. I have read books that showed me insight to a woman's life in China, to the travels of The Lost Boys, to lives of people so interesting from Mitch Albom to Gandhi. I eat it all up and search for that perfect author that speaks to me. (thank you Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Love Pray was beautifully written)
And have you ever found someone who doesn't live their life with music? You know there are songs you can hear that take you back to memory in such clarity that you will hit the replay button just to stay in the moment. Sometimes even a melody can move you. What girl who grew up in the 80's can't hear the few seconds of music that plays in Sixteen Candles and instantly remember the feeling of when they saw Jake waiting at the bottom of the church steps for Samantha? That moment, and song, defined how we would torture guys for the next 10 years because they would never live up to perfect Jake and his cherry red corvette.
So because of all this, it makes sense that someone would combine reading and music and offer it all for a bargain price in a house called Barnes and Nobles. Yes, there are others (Borders..blah) but they can't compare to a trip to BNN. And to top off this experience, they joined forces with Starbucks to bring you unlimited coffee, tea, and snacks, so you never have to leave. I could literally spend hours in this place. I've made a visit in sweats on a lazy night and copied recipes from various cook books (why is this not looked down upon? Never has anyone yelled,"If you are gonna read it, buy it lady!") I have met people mid business day to discuss ideas or networking with a skinny vanilla latte. I've even dressed up on a Saturday in something cute with the sole purpose of slowly traveling the aisle looking for a treasure. I have been there for Christmas gifts, mental breaks, to listen to music, to escape. It would be easy to run into whatever bookstore is in your mall to grab a book you are looking for. And it is always cheaper to jump on Amazon.com for your music and book selection. But Barnes and Nobles doesn't care. They won't bow down to that. What they offer is bigger then that. It is an experience, an escape. Everything about the store says sit, stay, enjoy. The children's sections has small tables and chairs so your kids can occupy themselves in a play world. They leave small couches scattered throughout the store. The smell and warmth from the Starbucks section comes to find you. And in the music section they offer plenty of headphones so you can test any possible purchase.
So you can stay on your couch and spend 10 minutes on Amazon and get what you need, and sometimes that does the trick. But when you are looking for more, Barnes and Nobles is not your average book store.
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