Tag: coronavirus
Bookstores across the Southland and the nation have long been challenged by a changing marketplace increasingly dominated by online giants such as Amazon, but the increased pressure placed upon local brick-and-mortar booksellers by the ongoing pandemic is pushing some to the brink of closure.
Independent booksellers are desperate for customers to return, and not just for an online reading.
Bookmarked on: Oct 15, 2020 at 20:19
Avid Bookshop in Athens, Ga., sends personalized URLs to customers with a list of handpicked recommendations. ❧
Perhaps if they went the step further to set up domains for their customers, they could ostensibly use them not only as book blogs, but also to replace their social media habits?
An IndieWeb friendly platform run by your local bookseller might be out of their wheelhouse, but it could potentially help solve their proximal problem while also solving one of society’s problems all while helping to build community.
Annotated on October 16, 2020 at 12:51PM
Take Vroman’s Bookstore, a 126-year-old institution in Pasadena, Calif. It has more than 200 employees, 20,000 square feet of space and the rent to go along with it. In a normal year, it hosts anywhere from 300 to 400 events, bringing in authors for readings and signings, along with customers who buy books and maybe a glass of wine from the bar. But none of that is happening this year. ❧
Coincidentally I bought two books at Vroman’s yesterday and it looked reasonably busy for mid-day. (Maybe because of this article?)
It’s a bit disingenuous to mention wine at their bar as their wine bar was only finally open for a minute before the pandemic shut everything down.
Annotated on October 16, 2020 at 12:54PM
Like many other stores, Vroman’s is hosting online events to promote new books, which can attract attendees from all over the country but generally bring in almost no money. ❧
Maybe they need a book paywall for admission into those events? Buy a book to get the zoom code to get into the event?
David Dylan Thomas essentially did this for his recent book launch.
Annotated on October 16, 2020 at 12:55PM
In the best of times, the margins at a bookstore are paper thin — traditionally, a successful shop hopes to make 2 percent in profits — but operating during a pandemic is even more expensive. ❧
Yes—they said paper thin…
Annotated on October 16, 2020 at 12:57PM
Picking up a copy of The Celtic Myths by Miranda Aldhouse-Green to finish reading it.
Front walk of the library with a plastic folding table blocking the entrance with signs regarding “curbside” pickup
Curbside pick up instructions
The essence of the American idea is unity under the law, through and despite difference.
This would be a more upbeat piece if there were even the smallest shred of evidence that Trump functioned like a normal person.
Many of the measures cited by his doctors are reserved for patients severely affected by the coronavirus.
With President Trump hospitalized, Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, delivered no guidance to aides about how they were expected to behave in a moment of crisis.
When the dictator is out, apparently there’s a major lack of leadership at the level below. This could be disastrous if the worst comes to pass.
Ed Yong (The Atlantic)As the U.S. heads toward the winter, the country is going round in circles, making the same conceptual errors that have plagued it since spring.
This is possibly one of the best overviews I’ve seen on the United States’ multiple problems with handling the pandemic.
Efforts to stop covid-19 have had at least one welcome side-effect
I’ve been wondering when we might start to see this sort of data and effects.
University administrators should have seen this coming.
Sadly, I still keep reading articles about schools wanting to open up in a month or so… sigh.
David Frum (The Atlantic)At the Canada-U.S. border, I encountered a study in contrasts.
It did not have to be this way. But as Trump aptly said of himself and his policy, “It is what it is.” He accepted more disease in hopes of stimulating a stronger economy and winning reelection. He’s waiting now for the return on that bet. As so often in his reckless career, his speculation seems to be that if the bet wins, he pockets the proceeds. And if the bet fails? The losses fall on others. ❧
A very apt description of Trump’s life philosophy. Also a broad perspective at how many Republicans and Libertarians seem to view the world economically: privatizing profits and socializing losses.
Annotated on September 06, 2020 at 10:55AM
Getting a flu shot. Sadly, no nasal options, so it’s a needle to the left arm—just like a trooper.
They had three people out at a pop-up tent to do drive-up flu shots. Quick in-and-out!
Picking up a Chromebook for home schooling during the pandemic.
Chilean teacher receives cease and desist letter after using actor’s image in branding