Upon entering Barnes & Noble there’s an array of thoughts that pop into our heads, and they continue as we walk through the maze of shelves.
1. Where do I begin?
As someone who loves to read, walking into Barnes & Noble is overwhelming. With so many different options and choices, it’s hard to decide where to begin.
2. Bestsellers shelf, definitely start there.
We all know that the bestsellers shelf at the front of the store is the easiest place to start. They're bestsellers for a reason, right?
3. Do I get Starbucks now… will I be here that long?
Barnes & Noble made the genius decision to allow Starbucks inside their stores. What is better than an iced coffee and a good book? Nothing.
4. So yes, I do need Starbucks.
If I’m going to search the store for my new favorite book, I must do it with a coffee in hand. Run to get in that long Starbucks line!
5. All right, now where to start…
After I finally made up my mind that I indeed needed a coffee, I must decide how to tackle the abundance of unknown titles and authors in front of me. It is most efficient to look each section over and not wander back and forth between random shelves. You’ll cover more books if you remain organized in your hunt.
6. There’s an adult section, teen section and children’s section… Why isn’t there a section for the 21-year-old college student?
Has anyone ever noticed this? We are college students, and we need a separate category. Most of us can’t relate to the high school drama anymore or marriage troubles yet. But a book about a 21-year-old, switching their major four times, not having any idea what they want to do after graduation, balancing school, work and relationships? Bring it on, that’s the kind of stuff we get!
7. I need this book.
The first intriguing book you find this trip. You immediately know you must buy it because finding a good book that you're excited about out of the several thousand in the store is a victory in itself.
8. Okay, I need this one too.
But wait… another one. Two books -- that’s reasonable. But you keep looking because you never know, you could find another one that sounds even better, and you don’t want to miss anything good.
9. But this one sounds so good!
Exactly! You always seem to find another book that you're really interested in; you just can’t seem to put it back on the shelf.
10. I can’t afford all three.
You're a broke college student; it’s a reality and it’s not fun. We’ve all been there and we know we have to be careful with our money. Be sure you will have enough money for fun things -- eating and going out with your friends of course.
11. Two, I’ll pick two.
That’s probably best. Two books is plenty, and you could use the money you save by not buying the third book to do something fun this weekend. But it is so hard to decide which two…
12. How much time do I have… Can I read a whole book here and buy the other two?
We’ve all had this thought. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
13. No, that’s embarrassing.
The fact that you considered spending the rest of your day in Barnes & Noble reading a book so you wouldn’t have to buy it -- that’s embarrassing, not to mention unrealistic. What were you thinking?
14. I’ll just get all three.
The only logical answer to this problem is to make yourself happy. Get all three!
15. What was I thinking? I won’t have time to read these.
Oh, you almost forgot! Between your jobs, classes, the 100 pages of reading you have for each class every night, and finding time for friends, you won't have time to read any of the books you just purchased! Looks like you’ll have to add them to your summer reading list!
It may be best if you just save the next trip to Barnes & Noble for after the semester ends.
