The Future of the Book.

Barnes & Noble shares fell Tuesday after the struggling bookseller announced that retail revenue and sales of its Nook e-reader took sharp dives in the second quarter. Investors are likely also reacting to news that founder and board chairman Leonard Riggio dropped his bid to buy the company.

With this headline, another nail pounds into the coffin of the brick and mortar book store business. Readers still buy books, authors still write, and publishing houses still publish books, but the way we buy books and read them is changing. Even the biggest supporter of the local indie book store, surrenders to the ease with which we can order on line. I confess, I do it too. The last book I read for fun was on my smart phone. I don't even bother with my Kindle anymore. I've purchased one hardback book this year, and I'm a total bibliophile. 

A few years ago, we were sure the big chain stores would continue to thrive and the small independent book stores would disappear, unable to compete. Now it seems the indies are hanging on, and the big chains are losing ground.  I would like to hear from readers who shop at book stores. Where do you buy your books, and why? What does your favorite store do to earn your loyalty? 

What's the future of the book?