August 5, 2022

Dear Borders Bookstore,

Wow, it has been a long time. To be honest, I didn’t think I would miss you as much as I do. I still have plenty of brick and mortar bookstores near me, and you know I’ve always been a library kid first and foremost. But just thinking of you now reminds me of the hours I spent winding through your shelves, secreting myself into corners to read books undisturbed, and checking back in day after day to see if you got anything new.

You see, Borders, you were my first bookstore. You were one of the first places I spent my own money. I still have books purchased from you. You were an important part of my financial development in that way. You taught me the value in books went beyond monetary. You taught me how to wait patiently for the paperback version to come out so I could save $10. And you taught me that, no matter what, I would never regret a book purchase.

I also consider you my first job. Oh, sure, I didn’t officially work there. But I was so familiar with your sections and stock that I often helped out other customers. People buying gifts for their nieces and nephews. Others browsing for a new read. I helped them so often, some people asked for me specifically! (You really should have just given me the job.) It was my pleasure to help them. Anytime I could share my love of reading with others was a good time indeed, and I had many good times in your store.

I learned a lot about my taste in books, and I developed as a reader among your shelves. I worked my way through the Children’s section, the Young Adult section, and the Fantasy and Science Fiction sections. I explored Contemporary fiction on occasion and walked right by Westerns and Romance. I did some snooping into Mystery and Detective, and once, when I was a curious and rebellious teen (and had spent way too much time on Fanfiction.net) I went and explored the Erotica section. It did not go well. But, I learned about myself with that, too. 

What and how I read now has roots in all the many different ways you offered your books to me. I would not have been able to read as many books as I did if it weren’t for you. There were the libraries, sure, and I love them to death. But, libraries didn’t have new books back then, and the wait times were long. But you, Borders, had well-stocked shelves, comfy chairs, and an understanding staff that let me read books right there in the store, cover to cover. A poor girl was able to explore new books and be a part of a reading community with others despite lack of access. And I did go on to buy most of those books anyway. 

It couldn’t last, though. In the end, you went away. There were a lot of reasons for it, and I don’t blame you (well, maybe a little. I mean, cutting back on the YA section to make room for home decor. Really. You were asking for a drop in sales.) 

I just miss you. Every time I buy a book, I think of you. I think of wandering your shelves, picking out a new find, paying for it with my hard-earned cash (and a coupon, of course), and then doing the same thing all over again the next week. You’ll always have a place in my heart, Borders Bookstore.

I love you,

Jenna