"Why do we put up with this? Why, indeed, do we cherish it? The reason is that bookstores are human places—they are extensions of the personalities of the men and women who operate them. …to the extent that we believe we can learn from other people—a belief fundamental to the very practice of reading—bookstores will have something to give us. It’s good to remember this as brick-and-mortar stores fall deeper into a crisis that is both economic and existential… If they are going to survive, it may be crucial for us to have some understanding, and some appreciation, of the minds behind them…"