My book club is reading 'White Tiger' by Aravind Adiga. Of course, I waited too late to buy it online, so I ran over to Borders to pick up a copy. I have a free Borders Rewards card, so I was armed with a 30% off coupon that was emailed to members. The $14 book cost just over $10. Borders Reward members get an email offer weekly...and did you 'hear' me say it's free?

As I was driving away, basking in the afterglow of being in one of my favorite places, a bookstore, I got to thinking that I would have been a traitor for buying that book online. A gently used copy on Amazon costs over $7, but don't forget the $4 shipping charge.

If you don't want to wait for a Borders Reward coupon to be emailed, then here's a 20% coupon you can print and use now. Good until January 29th.

I digress, but years ago I sold my house after the kids left the nest, and bought a condo. I looked at condos near Point of the Americas, and on Galt Ocean Mile, but I settled on one downtown, because it was close to work, and right around the corner from Liberties bookstore. What a treat to be able to walk to a bookstore! (My own little Notting Hill, now where is Hugh Grant?)

Now Liberties is gone, replaced by Levinson's Jewelers, just not the same for hanging out on a Sunday morning. But I can and do spend time at Borders, and would be so disappointed if it was no longer available, nestled so nicely near the bridge on the New River, with it's comfortable coffee shop in the rear. Remember the days when there were two bookstores in each mall, and one on Las Olas, one in Mizner Park?

I know we are all into saving during these difficult times, but lets band together and start a movement, "Support your local bookstore." We need to, and NOW!

So you may save a dollar or two online, maybe, but can you have a coffee while you enjoy the books?