Also, better signage. Drives me nuts. Yes, they have large on the wall or hanging signs usually, but every store is different and I have to first “hunt” for their form of signage. I want one of those department store maps on a stand right when I walk in the store that is at “eye -level” ~ maybe I’m just too much in a hurry.

Competitve book discounts locally. I know they have overhead and all, but I generally buy from Amazon on line because I can save on the book about 30% usually. I know I need to support my local book stores and pay the higher price, but it’s hard sometimes. But honestly, I LOVE going to bookstores and would much rather buy from there if more competitive pricees were offered.

I’d like to see bookstores promoting thinking and talking about books. I know that there are kids who are capable of having good conversations about books, but it often isn’t cool. A bookstore that created a mental and physical space for this would be growing current and future customers.

Recommendation lists (ie, shopping lists). This is one of the most powerful tools on Amazon – the ability to make recommendations. I’d love to see lists or shelf tags that recommended books by genre or topic.

More books. I know that the marketing folks say that the stores sell more books when a higher percentage is shown face out. And there have been times when the front of a book has caught my eye. But I really miss the days not long ago when it seemed like Borders (or that great bookstore in Williamsburg by The Trellis where I first found The Read-Aloud Handbook) had tons of books that I hadn’t known that I *needed* until I saw them. This happens less and less frequently for me. And given my Amazon bills, it’s not because I’m reading less.

I have a quirky sort of memory that recalls when and where I acquired various books. I remember that I used to find all sorts of wonderful stuff just wandering the stacks. This still happens for me in used bookstores, which generally don’t have enough of one title to waste space on cover out shelving. But it doesn’t happen so often in bookstores (and to be honest, I’m losing the habit of hanging out in bookstores like Borders because I have been able to leave empty handed so often).

One thing I found seriously lacking at the book stores were books on Philosophy that were not PH.D level or long pendantic studies on individual philosophers or the typical (and seriously boring) introductionary books. I was looking for something for high school level students that was interesting but more than just a list of facts. Finally, I used Sophie’s World and created a teaching program from it. My student even wrote his own “book” on philosophy. He wrote the book that he thought we would have purchased had it been available. It is humerous, factual, and very interesting. It is still entry level but has the information needed for a beginner philosphy student. A bit like the silly and fun Action Philosphers series but with useful information as well. I also am looking for a book that takes the fallacies he has learned and lets us see them in action. The examples need to current, real and from situations that the students would recognize in real life. I am sure someone could write this book just using the speeches and advertisements, and news programs from the last presidential election. A CD rom/dvd might even be a better option here.

BTW- Love your books!

Many years ago I worked the children’s section at a great independent bookstore in the SF Bay area. I was required to know what I was selling and be able to advise when asked. Each shift had a children’s expert available at all times. I am so tired of going to a store, paying big bucks for employees who don’t know anything about the children’s department.

It seems that quality customer service is going out the window. My friend keeps reminding me that we live in a WalMart world and my expectations lean closer towards Herod’s. *grin*

Surely children in school might be interested in non-fiction titles as well. There are some really neat books out there but they’re not in the bookstores. I even went looking at the non-chain bookstore that is the one to go to, but it had next to nothing. It had all of 1 3ft wide shelf of non-fiction books.

No wonder children in school find subjects boring if they have no interesting books that can supplement their learning.

Of course I would like more homeschool material and better organization and a huge leap up in fiction content, but I can scrounge around for fiction titles, so I’m not desperate.

I realize she’s very busy, but if she ever wondered if there would be anyone interested in her story the answer is YES!

Occasionally, I wish it was a little less chic and more comfortable like going to your favorite aunts house who is worldly, knowledgeable, fun, but always makes you feel at home.

I agree about the organization. Throwing all the authors together alphabetically doesn’t really count as organization. A directory would help. Also better lighting. Sometimes the cafe theme is spread out to the aisles and you just can’t see the shelves very well.

I use to be a bookseller so I know how hard this next part is going to be — but knowledgeable staff (especially in the children’s department). Less toys (or maybe save it for Christmas time).

As a homeschooler I’d like to see more of the titles that are part of the WTM curriculum and Sonlight’s also. I’d like to find more quality books especially for girls (there are a lot of choices, but oh my!)I don’t even have girls, but I cringe when I walk by that section.

I’d also like if if the staff didn’t look like they had to wear their tolerant face when they spoke to me if they found out I was homeschooling.

I wish they had more curriculum products that I could buy off the shelf and not have to pay shipping for. I’m tired of shipping fees.

I would like more authors to visit and have it well publicized in the local homeschooling community or the community in general when they do.

OK apparently I want a lot.