Reading inside bookstores

In other countries I have seen bookstores with tables and chairs. Many people sat in the chairs and read the books. The first time that I saw it I was really surpriced, because in my country there are no chairs or tables in the bookshops. In some shops I have even seen signs like this one: "Please don't read the books before you buy them. This shop is not a library" If it was possible to sit down in the bookshops in my country I would probably do it. I wouldn't read the books from the first to the last page, but it would be nice to have a look at the chapters and flip through the pages before I decide if I want to buy the book or not.

I have seen the same thing especially when the store has chairs and things in it. I have read the first chapter or so but like you said not the whole book. I don't understand how people can send hours in the store reading the books. I would rather take it home.

I don't know why they permit this; but they do, and always have it seems. Long before the days of the internet, I used to do it myself, in fact, I have a memory of sitting on the floor of a London bookshop, reading for long, long periods of time, and even making notes. These days I'd never do that because I'd see it as a waste of time: I have better things to do with my time than read books. Don't get me wrong: I love reading, but not at the height of the day; I'm usually too busy; no, I like to read when my day's work is done, in bed before putting the light out. But I was in a bookshop today (concidentally), and this particular one had several comfortable chairs for people to take a book and read. I've done this myself in the past; although I don't make a habit of it.

i hardly ever buy books unless i go to half price books i read a little to see if im interested and it has to be cheap as i can rent it at the library for free and read it .for 2 weeks at a time i love the library and can even rent movies as well for free or get on internet .. its lots of fun.

I don't like reading in bookstores, I know is a calm place, but I don't feel as relaxed as I feel when I read at home. What I usually do, is reading one or two pages from a book I want to buy, so I can decide to buy it or not. But reading the whole book in a bookstore is something I wouldn't do. Also, I don't know any bookstore that let you read the whole book there without buying it.

I do that sometimes especially that I am hooked on the certain book that I am reading and if I have enough time to stay at the bookstore.

I don't think it would be fair to sit and read an entire book then get up and go home. The store doesn't make any money that way and if the store doesn't make money, it won't last long. I have read parts of magazines or skimmed through books to decide whether I wanted to buy them, but I've never sat and read for more than a few minutes.

I think most bookstores like it if you care to hang around and read books. Of course, a typical store could only handle so many such readers before they were too much in the way of shoppers.

i spend time at my local large bookstore checking out the magazines on art and crafting as well as decorating. i seldom buy any because they tend to be pretty pricey. they even have benches in the magazine section for you to sit while you are checking them out. so why not?

I usually do that when I'm choosing books and intend to buy some books.I even sit in the corner reading a book I'm interested into.I love to read and no matter a magazines or a book I would spend sometimes to get at least an idea what is all about before I conclude to buy.

i also notice these kind of people in book stores... most of them are actually young adults or teens who read on teen novels. the way i look at them, they read the books as if they're at the comfort of their homes. they don't even mind people walking right in front of them with curious stares in their faces. they seem to not give a damn care with the store personnel who had made trips in front of them for several times already. i find the scenario funny at the same time kind of shameful, since those books are meant for display and buying. maybe these people should feel a little guilt in doing the habit. i think it should be cut short since it will be a loss in earnings for the establishment...

I don't know, I consider it to be uneducated cause yo may damage the brand new books in any way, so they can no longer be sold, don't you think? Anyway, I always see those comfortable sofas, and feel really attracted to go and sitting, but just don't do it.

I do this sometimes in malls when I wait for my parents and aunties to finish shopping. When I have nothing to do, I go to the bookstore and scan few pages of a book. Do you find it very abusing that people just go there read and finish a book? They already finished a book without buying it. hehehe

It's always kind of weird for me to see this. Especially because at our place, a big amount of contemporary books are going to be brought to the library a year later or so. I wouldn't do that. If someone wants to read a book, they should go buy the book or go to the library. I think it does more harm than good for bookstores-but well, if they have chairs and stuff and they are okay with that... who am I to hudge their policies, right?...

I don't know if the people I see reading in bookstores really read the whole book, probably they're just skimming or scanning or just reading a few pages like me. Or maybe just reading a large part of the book like me too. I never read a whole book in a bookstore yet, not because I don't want to but if I can I would I just don't have the chance and I'm a little embarrassed to stay too long inside the bookstore. However, whenever I read books there,I just sometimes scan, or sometimes I read 2-3 chapters.