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Barnes & Noble Books in Tyler Has Really Changed

June 13th, 2013

Barnes and Nobles EarnsI remember when Barnes and Noble books finally opened in Tyler almost twenty years ago. I remember so clearly because to this point, Tyler had lacked the kind of meeting place / bookstore that I had enjoyed in larger cities; so of course, when the giant bookseller set up shop, I was among the first to sign on. I worked there a couple of years, putting a good chunk of my paycheck back into the business. I remember working a lot of late hours and the occasional early morning, and while there where ups and downs to working at the retail store, my memories are largely good ones. Barnes and Noble did a lot for Tyler. The bookstore / Starbucks Cafe became the place to be on Friday nights, when the store featured live music, specifically the Celtic music group “Beyond the Pale.” I don’t know what happened to the band, but I know every time they played, it was to a packed house. These and other music and cultural events made Barnes and Noble a great Tyler business, and meet up location.

 

About the same time that Tyler was getting its first large bookstore, an oddly named online bookseller was just starting out. Amazon.com (which is located primarily in Seattle as opposed to its namesake in South America) was a cool new way to locate books that were otherwise hard to find. And it let the customer search its database for himself. However, it didn’t offer the immediate gratification or the social venue, of its more conventional competitor.

 

How things have changed! Amazon is of course a household name, and with the advent and availability of the “Kindle” e-readers, gratification can be instantaneous. A few years ago, I read an article predicting that the next generation would grow up without book stores, at least as a location. It predicted that conventional booksellers wouldn’t last another ten years. Sadly, the article may be correct. Barnes and Noble has obviously recognized the trend and has tried to stem the profit loss by introducing their own online store and e-reader in the “Nook,” which seems to be a fine product but lacks the broad success of the Kindle.

 

All of this is of course old news but it begs the question: What does it mean for Barnes and Noble in Tyler? I’ve visited the store in recent weeks and have been forced to recognize that it’s changing fast. The store is becoming an odd mixture of electronic device, and high end toy and game retailer. Of course they still have books! But clearly more and more of the store’s real estate is being taken up by puzzles and stuffed toys. And honestly, I’m part of the problem. I love my Kindle. More often than not I opt for the download option, rather than the drive to the bookstore. Ultimately, I think Tyler’s B&N will be around for a few more years at least. But I’m afraid it will become more and more like a large Starbucks / study hall, than the great old bookstore I remember.

Jericho Books in Tyler

September 18th, 2010

As you walk into Jericho Bookstore the smell of old books is overwhelming. The store carries so many books old and new. The store employee was quick to help me find what I was looking for, even though it was not very hard to find your way around. I was pleasantly surprised that the books were so well kept and organized.

All the books in the store are half off the sticker price, and they even had an area where all books were twenty five cents. Although I do not think I would buy the books offered for twenty five cents, they say that the selection changes often. They sell text books and great old literature. This was a great store for people that love to read books especially if you are looking for an older book that may not be carried by Barnes and Noble.

There was not very much of a child’s book selection. It was somewhat disappointing, but there was a much bigger selection online. A lot of their kid’s books that were in the store are used, but they are in good condition and some had beautiful illustrations. Really this was the only part of the store that I had higher expectations for.

There really is a beauty to buying old used books, and Jericho sells all their books at great prices. If you are interested in selling your own used books to the store you can take them up to the store or see their online website. The employees are real book lovers and can answer all your questions, and they are willing to help you find that perfect book.

Marcus Luttrell Comes to Tyler

September 9th, 2010
Marcus Luttrell

Marcus Luttrell

The Book Lone Survivor was a number one New York Times bestseller in the non-fiction section. It tells the story of Seal Team Ten’s battle with a Taliban warlord and his army of around two hundred fighters. For days the four man seal team bled the enemy of men and resources before being killed themselves, all but one that is. After watching each of his comrades literally fight to the death, author Marcus Luttrell evaded and killed the enemy over incredibly hostile terrain all the while nursing wounds that threatened to kill him as well. The book is an excellent read. It gives the reader a much better understanding of the conflict in Afghanistan, as well as the rules of engagement our soldiers have been saddled with the last few years. On top of it all, the story proves the maxim that the truth is stranger, (or at least more amazing), than fiction.

Why the little book report? Because the book’s author Mr. Luttrell will be visiting Tyler tomorrow night, September, the tenth, for a dinner and book signing sponsored by Barnes and Noble. The former petty officer, himself a proud East Texan, has started the Lone Survivor Foundation to help returning wounded veterans. Tomorrow night’s event will be held at Holly Tree Country Club, and runs about one hundred dollars a ticket. While the price is high proceeds go to benefit the troops. So if you’ve got the money to drop, you can’t ask for better cause.

Mr. Luttrell’s visit precedes the Country for our Country concert where he will also be appearing, by a day. That event will be held on September eleventh, and features a whole list of country western artists, in addition to Mr. Luttrell. Again, all proceeds go the support wounded soldiers. For more information on the Barnes and Noble book signing event, click on the following link http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3060745. To learn more about the Country for our Country concert follow the link listed below: http://countryforourcountry.org/.

Tyler Barnes and Noble

January 13th, 2010

Tyler Barnes and Noble is a place where you can go and find the book you are looking for. They have all kinds of books on all kinds of topics. I go to Barnes and Nobles sometimes with my friends and I love to hang out and look around at the books they have. They don’t mind if you pick a seat and read a book or so. They make it so that you can feel right at home if you decide to read there.

They also have a place where they have magazines anywhere from those on fashion, people, cars, your home, food and other types of topics. They also have a selection for your children and they have it set up to where if you want to sit down and read to your child you can.

Inside the Tyler Barnes and Noble they also have a Starbucks and you know that everyone likes a good cup of coffee while you are reading a good book. If you don’t like looking around for a book or don’t feel like reading you can choose to hang out with your friends and have a cup of coffee and catch up on old times.

Barnes and Noble book store often has sales so you can find books there for a reasonable price especially if using your Barnes and Nobles customer card. If you don’t have the money to buy the book then you can just go and read while you are there. I am sure they won’t care if you hang out, have a cup of coffee and read a book without purchasing it. I have done this on numerous occasions although they know you will take one or two home eventually and this is why this type of setup works.

Lifeway Christian Store in Tyler

January 8th, 2010

I recently visited Lifeway Christian Store, something I’d not done since before the name was changed from Better Books Christian Center. In the past several years the store has undergone a makeover. The inside is quite large and very well stocked.

Lifeway is something like a Christian Barnes and Noble. They carry any literature, music or movies currently in demand in church circles. The store also offers all kinds of support materials for pastors and youth ministers. They carry a full selection of vestments and choir gowns as well as supplies for administering the Eucharist.

The children’s section in particular, is excellent. There is a corner equipped with a television showing the latest cartoons where kids can sit while their parents shop. The book selection is current but not real deep; meaning that I expected to find more classic Christian literature than I actually did. The store carries a huge variety of Bibles; however much of the theology and commentary has a fairly narrow target audience. Baptists, or something closely akin will probably find what he or she is looking for, but the more orthodox among us may find it necessary to special order what we need, something the staff will gladly do. All this being said, Lifeway is a beautiful Tyler Texas book store, and the staff is helpful and very friendly.

So whether you’re looking for a particular item or are just seeking a cool place to spend a summer afternoon, Lifeway is a great place to take the family. For more information, see their website: www.lifewaystores.com . Located in the Old English Village on South Broadway, in Tyler.