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Reading books is hardcore. But are bookworms really that fanatical compared to the “World of Warcraft” junkie who persistently battles drowsiness and chronic back pain to achieve online greatness? Are serious readers as dedicated as the person who knows every actor in every movie ever made, ever?
Most definitely.
Gamers hunch over their keyboards in the confines of their rooms. Movie buffs drift into alternate realities in the darkness and comfort of a movie theater. So where do the book lovers find their haven? Bookstores are hotbeds for the devoted readers.
“We definitely have people in here all the time, reading full books,” said Rebekkah Martin, supervisor at Borders bookstore in Bangor. “Especially in the winter – on a cold night, people will be in here for hours.”
Comfortable chairs and benches are spread throughout Borders, mostly in quiet corners of the store, providing readers with suitable spots to indulge in their latest book choices. One chair is almost completely isolated – the “chair under the stairs” is like a cave, surrounded on three sides by bookcases.
“[It's] the hot-spot for someone who will be reading for a while. There always seems to be someone in that seat,” Martin said.
There are a few reasons one might engage in hours of reading in a bookstore without ever actually buying the book, the most obvious being price. Why buy a $20 book when you can read it in the store for free?
Cassandra Brown, a self-described “frequent offender” when it comes to reading entire books in the store, said, “This book ["Breaking Through to Teens"] costs $40. There’s no way I can pay that; I’m a college student.” She also said she enjoys the comfortable atmosphere at Borders.
Another reason for spending an afternoon in a bookstore is the tome itself. A book can be enthralling to the point where it’s impossible to put down. “There was a girl in here that read the entire ['Twilight'] series of books in one sitting. There’s like four of those books at 500 pages a piece,” Martin said.
15-year-old Ashley Cross spends significant time at Borders reading graphic novels – specifically manga. “I come here after school like three days a week,” Cross said. “Manga is so amazing. I love the artwork. I love the stories. I like reading the whole books here in the store, because it’s fun.”
Borders has no policy about how long people can stay and read. As long as no one is destroying the book or disturbing other customers, people can read to their heart’s desire. “It’s mostly teenagers coming in after school and old people. We absolutely have a ton of regulars,” said Alex Fenney, a Borders employee.
The University of Maine bookstore has the same policy. “Students can come in and read a textbook for as long as they want,” said Connie Laughlin, floor supervisor. “We have kids in here doing homework all the time. It’s a good alternative to buying the book.”
The university bookstore is outfitted with couches and seats to provide students with a comfortable lounge area. Some students are so dedicated, they bypass comfort in order to get work done; Laughlin said many opt to sit in the aisles to read and do homework, sometimes for hours on end.
In terms of time committed to hobbies, bookworms are right up there with other media fanatics. Sitting in a bookstore for hours on end, day after day, shows an allegiance matched only by Paris Hilton’s dedication to all things unintelligent.
So some lazy Saturday, grab a cup of coffee, head to a bookstore, find a nice long read and be a hardcore bookworm.
Bangor Daily News