Hacker News Reader

Comment by aksss | Hacker News Reader

We have one large B&N in town - diverse selection of books and mags, clean, and a sizable quasi-Starbucks cafe with tons of power outlets. I really enjoy it, and frankly compared to our indie bookshops, I prefer it - its volume, sterility, service and anonymity combined with familiarity and an unpretentious attitude. I don't need to see the same homely indie bookmonger making eye contact with me every time I walk in a bookstore with their expectations and shawls. Leave me alone and don't talk to me. :D

I really look forward to their development and wish them nothing but success.

View on HN

> with their expectations and shawls

This is the most beautiful neutral-yet-poignant description of a bookstore clerk I have ever read. I'm still laughing about it.

It really is one of those succinct descriptions that puts a complete image into your head. For me it came with smells and an ambiance.

Come visit us at Books on Beechwood in Ottawa, Canada.. we have no background music, no attitude, no one will bother you unless you look a bit lost, there are 7K books in the shop.. and we can order in anything you want from about 15 Million titles we have access to. "expectations and shawls" .. hilarious ;-)

Oh yeah, and if you need caffeine.. there's a tea shop next door (the Scone Witch) a Starbucks across the street and a Ministry of Coffee kitty corner.

What I'm really looking for when I go to a bookstore is a place to relax. I want to sit somewhere comfortable, be able to use my computer, and, when the urge comes, be able to browse books.

To that end, B&Ns with Starbuckses are pretty good. Would love to see an expanded seating area, better seating (arm-chairs, couches), coffee tables instead of just 'meal' tables, good outdoor lighting and/or non-harsh lighting (closer to the red spectrum than the blue), and interesting layouts.

Does anyone else feel the need for something like this in their community? In the city I live in, the only public places that are remotely like this, and allow me to sit for long periods of time someplace comfortable, are Starbuckses and the one B&N. Even other coffee shops don't have the ambience and comfortable seating of some Starbuckses. And our library has incredibly harsh lighting. I'm either stuck at home, at the office, or a Starbucks. If B&N had a large and comfortable alternative, I'd go there every day. Heck, I'd even 'subscribe' to have access to a place like this.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com