In Tune

Stories and Songs on today's free French CD, with The Times

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

From The Times

April 23, 2007

How internet booksellers are killing art of browsing

Ben Hoyle, Arts Reporter

The joy of stumbling on a captivating book of which you were previously unaware is being undermined by the internet, one of the world’s most highly regarded authors believes.

Margaret Atwood, the Canadian author whose books include The Edible Woman, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin, which won the Booker Prize in 2000, said that the “serendipity” of discovering something in a bookshop has not been replicated online.

Kazuo Ishiguro, another Booker Prize winner, agrees. He told The Times yesterday that shopping for books on the internet was helpful for his work “but it’s not fun”.

Atwood told the London Book Fair last week: “You are not going to get the same experience on the net. Amazon is trying, by saying, ‘If you like this book you might like this other book’, but it’s often something quite offensive that they suggest.”

She added that the success of internet retailers meant that bookshops were missing out on “the sales that they wouldn’t expect to make, but make because somebody sees this beautiful cover and they pick it up and read the front flap.

“They might look at the back flap and the picture of the author, then they might read the first two or three pages. If they are me, they might then open it in the middle. It all takes about five minutes.”

Fewer customers were taking those vital five minutes as online and supermarket book sales increase. Between 2001 and 2005, the market share of independent bookshops fell by 16 per cent, Book Marketing, the consumer research company, said. Over the same period, the supermarkets’ share grew by 90 per cent and internet sales by 183 per cent.

Last month Waterstones announced plans to close 30 of its shops. Borders, the US behemoth, has put its entire British operation up for sale.

But there are positive signs. The book market is growing and the number of independent bookshops appears to have stabilised and in some cases is thriving by offering an alternative to the dominance of heavily promoted bestsellers. Ishiguro often drops into his local bookshop in Hampstead, North London, to while away a few hours in idle browsing, but he warned against sentimentalising the independent bookshops of days gone by.

“I’m not really nostalgic for them,” he said. “Those tiny independent bookshops with some dragon behind the desk on the phone to her daughter, or the politically committed bookshops with tons of stuff about Chairman Mao.”

The internet is a far better medium for finding the books he needs to research his novels.

“You can find very obscure books, and read reviews of them but it doesn’t compare to the fun value of coming into a bookshop.”

Amazon’s recommendations were often amusingly useless, he added. “One of the last books I bought was a study guide to one of my old books, The Remains of the Day. Now they keep recommending my own books to me.”

Stephen Page, chief executive of Faber and Faber and president of the Publishers’ Association, said that the capricious impulses that lead book-buyers to make unexpected purchases were important because they guarded against the “corrosive” impact on society of everybody reading the same thing.

Sorry - but what a nonsense-filled article. I LOVE shopping for books on the Internet - one of the reasons being that I can find books which are out of print or almost impossible to find in bookshops or even libraries. As an eleven year old my first set book for English Literature was 'A Country Child' by Alison Uttley. From the age of 20 I spent forty years searching for it in bookshops, including second hand ones -and libraries. I finally tracked it down on Amazon - long may they live. I have also discovered sevearl 'new' authors on the net, some as aresult of Amazon's recommendations. Surely bibliophiles like myself will search and buy books from a variety of sources, including belonging to postal bookclubs. Have your two writers also considered disabled and house bound readers? What a joy it must be for them to have the independence to be able to browse the internet and buy their own books.

Josephine Finch, Stockbridge, Hampshire

I agree with Margaret that it is indeed a shame that the internet has taken the serendipity out of fossicking through small book shops to find obscure, fascinating books. However, I’d like to add that regardless of the internet we may still have difficulty in guarding society against ‘the corrosive impact of everybody reading the same thing’ as small bookshops cannot afford to buy in the unknown gem in the first place. Our local book shop would have loved to support us by stocking our rather uniquely, co-authored novel, ‘Fragments’ but she was on the verge of forced closure after 25years of marvellous service, unable to compete with the big book stores who only stock homogenous fare. We have had to present our novel directly to our readers who find great satisfaction in discovering something fascinating and different on our ‘egobucket’ site. Perhaps the internet may save us yet as of readers now browse ‘virtually' on independent sites like ours.

michelle denise, Perth, western australia

What an insightful article! The internet is just fine when one knows what one is looking for, but indeed there is nothing like wandering through a real book store looking for the tasty morsel on the buffet table.

The net stores lock many of us readers into the genre we are most comfortable with. I have been wandering lately through physics and science along with my more traditional readings. Without touching these books, I would never buy them. And how would be ever find such tasty books as Mao's Essays on Philosophy without a real, political bookstore? Try this book if you have trouble going to sleep.

My most recent purchases have all been in my favorite store in HK where new books of all categories are placed by the entrance. Walter Isaacson's bio of Einstein or Barbero's Battle of Waterloo would never have been found by me, I suspect, without the store.

Tom, Hong Kong,

I just read the article quoting Margaret Atwood and Kazuo Ishiguro, and when I first read the caption about "a dragon behind the counter" and "not being nostalgic for them" I must say I was a tad peeved. How many booksellers have worked their magic hawking his book? SERIOUSLY. I don't think I've ever encountered such dragons in ANY independent store I've ever been into. After reading the article and seeing that he does like the shopping side of it, I still wasn't very pleased. I just think that as an author he owes it to the people who work to promote and get his book into people's hands the recognition they deserve. It's not like he would have been a big hit author if he only sold his book online...someone needs to start the buzz...and it probably was the dragon on the phone with her daughter. The term dragon bothered me.
Ugh.
Cheers to Maggie though for using the term "serendipity" when stumbling upon a gem, that made my day. She's right too...I know amazon offers a look inside the book, but it's not even NEARLY the same. I'm going to make it my mission to sell one of her books today just a karma high five:)
I also liked the "londoner" comment about customers saying they'll just get it on amazon...after we've hunted for 10 minutes to find it! I mean, do what you will, but let's not make it personal...hahah.
I just had to say something about that.

Christine Sullivan, Langley, BC

I buy on line and from independent booksellers. My rule of thumb is to shop on line for books over $40 or when I can get a used one much less expensive than one I'm contemplating. That being said, nothing beats going into a bookstore and finding books unexpectedly that you find yourself perusing and ultimately buying. Seminary Co-Op Bookstore on the campus of the University of Chicago has a table of new books that run the gamut of interest; most are academic in nature. I have learned to love areas of philosophy and art I might have overlooked on line. I want to see this bookstore continue to thrive, so I buy from them to keep sales healthy and my experience of discovery alive and well. Amazon.com can co-exist with bookstores, but the discovery process and passion is more enlivened in a bookstore.

JMartin, Naperville, IL , USa

I love shopping online for books. It means not have to ask some "couldn't be bothered" bookstore clerk for help. Disposing of the pretentious middle man is the best things about looking for books. The last time I went into an independent booksrtore, they got mad that I didnt buy anything. "We turned the light on for you downstairs" was what they said when I walked out. Can't say it's an era I'm sad to see pass.

moose, manchester,

Browsing in a book store doesn't necessarily mean you're buying a book. I find bookstores a place of sanctuary. I just like going in bookstores and just browsing. Sometimes I see a book that I didn't know was out yet and if the price is good, I'll buy it. One thing that you can do in a bookstore that you can't do online is a grab a book, find a spot, and start reading it. That's what most people do now in most bookstores.

Melisa H., Brooklyn, New York

I love to go into bookshops and have been known to spend hours poking around in them. I very rarely buy books online. I get most of my book recommendations through the people on www.bookcrossing.com and prefer to go look for them in local bookshop and second hand bookshops.

Siobhan, Belfast, Ireland

As a reader, I lament the passing of bookshops. As an author of genre fiction, I rejoice in online bookstores.

Jay Mandal, Camberley,

I live in a large town and the bookshops here stock the same Top 10 stuff they know will sell. I'd say I buy at least half my books on Amazon. Sometimes the recommendations are laughable, yet I've discovered authors I never would have heard of otherwise. I agree that browsing in a bookshop can be wonderful but I can buy books online I just can't get in my hometown and for a far cheaper price too.

Lynn, Sligo, Irelalnd,

"The joy of stumbling on a captivating book of which you were previously unaware is being undermined by the internet". I disagree. I live in a country where English-language books are not so readily available and if they are, they are the popular variety. I certainly won't find Kazuo Ishiguro! So, for me, Amazon UK and other internet bookshops have been a Godsend. I've bought a lot of books from Amazon over the years and I've been introduced to different authors, whom I have not have come across in a bookstore, through it's recommendation pages. European authors such as Gianrico Carofiglio, Giampero Rigosi, Ake Edwardson, and Pierre Magnan. That's not say I don't enjoy going to a bookshop whenever I can, and experiencing the pleasure of discovering and opening a book myself. The internet is just another way for me to fulfill my passion for books.

Deborah Gibson, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

By all means come to the bookshops, feel and smell the book you are looking for, and perhaps decide to buy on the internet. But buddy, you don't need to add sting by telling the bookseller after they have hunted high and low for the book for you, that you're going to Amazon. Why make the bookseller despise you so.

londoner, london,

I love browsing online. For every one book search I must put four or five more on my wishlist. These are often suggested by reviewers of my current search; but best of all is to put a random word in the search - I've come across some cracking reads and have been led to authors I would not otherwise have known.

Donna Cowan, Potton, Beds,

There is a website called Lovereading.co.uk. It perfectly overcomes all the issues raised in this article. There are number of guidance tools, especially allowing readers to download and print off Opening Extracts of books. So you can browse when and where you want instead of being stuck in a bookshop. I love it!

Ulrika, London,

As a former Texas independent bookseller, I have been distressed to read articles lately that lament the (predicted) demise of printed books in favor of "e-books." Frankly, reading e-books on computer doesn't give me the same delight as holding a printed book, cup of coffee at my side.
Susan Isenberg of Corpus Christi, TX and I share a campaign. While I will brouse titles on-line and appreciate e-mail notices from Amazon, etc., I get the list I want and call my local bookstore for purchase. In Beaumont, all of our independent booksellers are gone; we only have the large chain stores, such as Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble, Booksellers.
I continue to pursue purchases at my local Barnes & Noble and give them credit -- the people who work there love books & encourage my interests.
There is no substitue for holding an interesting book in hand. You can't do that by computer.
Support your local bookstore and purchase books from them. There is no replacement for a book lover.

Judith C. Allen, Beaumont, Texas/USA

Mr Hoyle is economic with the statistics! Although it is true that "between 2001 and 2005, the market share of independent bookshops fell by 16 per cent", sales remained steady and actually increased by 2% year on year, against a (from memory) 6% fall in sales experience by the chain booksellers. It is a challenging time for independent bookshops, but there are excellent independents out there who are doing exciting and innovative things. At the end of the day, they do deserve support, otherwise we will be restricted to buying books from only the likes of Tesco and Amazon and ultimately that means a reduction in choice, the loss of knowledge and service, the loss of cultural and economic benefit to a local area and a further erosion of books and all the good stuff they contain. Furthermore, if a publisher can't persuade Amazon or Tesco to stock a title, who is going to stock it?

Tom Dixon, Brackley, Northants / UK

I disagree with this article. I enjoy browsing in bookshops but I have found the internet an invaluable way of finding books I never would have come across othewise, either by browsing by subject or by looking at books I know I like and going through the list of 'people who bought this book also bought...' Ok, you have to be discerning as sometimes the links are irrelevant but I've also found books that are exactly what I'm interested in that I would never have found in a shop.

Also, I can't be the only one who frequently discovers new authors by having to find a third book to make up my purchase in the 3 for 2 offers?

Emma, Reading,

I'd have to agree with Ms Burnett. The internet provides an incomparably wider range of books, it provides reviews, and browsing is easier, and, paradoxically, both more and less precisely directed; one often comes across, in one moment, both a second book quite similar and a third book altogether different. There is also the advantage of being able to get at both the latest releases as they appear and out of print titles that could never be found in a high-street bookshop. In all, I'd say the internet has proved a great resource for the reader.

Marco, bhm, uk

Independent booksellers: put your inventory online! Problem solved. Because of enhanced availability online, I've probably read five times as many good books in the the last few years than I would have otherwise. We don't all live next to a bookstore, and we don't all have the time we'd like to spend browsing . Online, we get to see what other people think about the books (customer reviews) and sometimes bargain pricing to boot. Why would I want to browse one or two local bookstores, when I can see the inventory of a hundred online?

RJ Hendrickson, Angelus Oaks, MN, USA

I completely disagree with this article. I find most bookshops have a limited selection (with the exception of Borders which does have a wider selection) and only stock popular stuff and the latest releases. I rarely find unusual titles that I am looking for. I prefer to use Amazon which has never failed me and always have unusual titles, and even out of print stuff. What I also like on amazon is the chance to browse through reviews of titles, and also to check peoples' booklists and recommendations, this way I have discovered many books that I haven't heard of before. Therefore I think it is more enjoyable browsing on Internet sites that bookshops.

ejc, Watford,

Funny: no one ever praises online sellers for making books available to rural communities and places where the selection of titles would be otherwise dismal. I have yet to see a piece pointing out that these same sellers have brought down the average cost of a used book to a fraction of what it was even ten years ago.

Charles, Boston, MA

I completely disagree. I find most bookshops tend to stock popular stuff and new releases, things they know will sell. They rarey have a wide selection, and i can never find what I am looking for, with the exception of Borders which I admit has a much wider selection. I much prefer buying books from Amazon where they stock unusual titles, have stuff that's out of print, and offer reviews and recommendations of further reading. This way I have been introduced to many books that I have never even heard of and have thoroughly enjoyed.

ejc, Watford,

I disagree. I love to buy books on the Internet. I cross-reference internet bookstores with the books-in-print and books-out-of-print databases to consider a huge stock. Moreover, I buy brand new books as "used books" on the internet, often paying $5 or $2 for a brand new book. And I bought books in France while living here in a small town without a bookstore in western Canada.

Shirley Jackson, Oliver, BC, Canada

I adore large book stores. They're fantastic! For me, they are an end to a means. I find books I'd like to read there. Then, purchase them for a reasonable price online. It doesn't make any sense to me to do otherwise.

Stephanie, San Leandro, CA, USA

I definitely prefer buying books in bookshops. It's a far more enjoyable experience but as a student I find that I often can't afford it! It's much easier to buy cheap online. Maybe the larger bookshops need to realise this. I still find it odd that most of them don't even offer student discounts!

Nic, Manchester,

What nonsense!

Unlike Excite Drain Bow, I've made many serendipitous finds whilst browsing online, with the benefit of looking from my own home at any time of day. It's not changed my love of browsing through real bookshops, with the benefit of being able to see and touch (and smell!) my potential purchases.

Browsing online is not an 'instead of', it's an 'as well as' - as a result, I probably buy more books now than ever before - happy days!

Sue Burnett, cardiff, Wales

At least on the Internet one doesn't get a stiff neck! After browsing in a library or a bookshop I tend to leave with a crick in the neck. Please oh please why not print the Author and Title of a book across the spine as well as along it.

Henry Graham-Battersby, Brampton, Cumbria

Hear hear! As a student, when looking for books that I need for study, then the internet provides a cheap and easy-to-find option.

However, when looking for books purely for pleasure, the good old bookshop is the only way to go. Wandering around a bookshop, even when not looking for anything, is a joyous experience - as Margaret Atwood said, the “serendipity” of discovering something in a bookshop has not been replicated online, and, I believe, cannot be.

Excitedrainbow, Basildon,

The Art of Browsing
As an internet bookseller, I do understand the frustration of not being able to handle books as I browse.As a reading fanatic, I refuse to buy a book on ABE or elsewhere unless the lister has taken the time to read the book first-or at least browse it's "bones."You may get "new" books for a $ or so that are unread but they have no substance until the covers have been opened and explored.If those who are distainful of interenet bookselling will know, not everyone lives in a place large enough for a book shop of any kind
and depend on the internet for books.Support those dealers who love their book,s know their books and are willing to answer questions about their books. I do!

Susan T. Isenberg, Corpus Christi,TX, USA