A turn of the page

Re “Bookshops’ latest sad plot twist,” Column One, Feb. 7

The closing of independent bookshops saddens me because it represents one more loss of “place” in the admittedly rational pursuit of economic efficiency. Growing up in Chicago, one of my childhood pleasures was a trip to the bookstores on State Street and Michigan Avenue, which inevitably involved side trips to the toy department at the nowdefunct Marshall Field’s and lunch at long-gone locales such as the White Palace or Hungry Toni’s. Those days were events, and those places were destinations, with their own smells, sights, sensations and casts of characters.

The passing of the independents highlights just how readily we trade the physical world for the virtual.

RUSSELL BURGOS

Thousand Oaks

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The issue comes down to economics and convenience. I can read a Times book review on Sunday morning; pop on the Internet; obtain a copy of a desired book, either new or used, for at least 50% of the listed price (and usually more), and have it coming to me almost immediately. A brick-and-mortar seller, no matter whether it is a chain or an independent, can’t compete with this.

GREG W. GARROTTO

Los Angeles

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The publishing industry as a whole is woefully inefficient. Every day, thousands of books are printed, shipped, warehoused and stocked. Many of these books will never be bought and eventually will be destroyed. Two technologies can change this -- printing on demand and electronic books.

Printing on demand means nobody will have to pay to print, ship, stock or destroy a book that will not be read. A small bookstore can carry the same catalog as Amazon. Electronic books are easy to read and use less power than ever. What’s more, it is possible to include multimedia and to update the material when needed. Though electronic books are still not ready for public acceptance, I see an inevitable trend toward such a format.

MIGUEL VALDESPINO

Irvine