Book CommuniTEA: YES, LET'S DEFUND LIBRARIES, SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA [CC]

[@JessOwens]

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[@latteatthelibrary]

The attack on libraries really breaks my heart. Libraries saved my life. I’m a SAHM (by necessity because childcare is absurdly expensive) and I suffer from awful depression. The library gives me access to books without having to buy them, books for my toddler because she loves them, a children’s room for her to play safely when I just need a break, book clubs to meet other people, job fairs when I’m able to return to work, adult education including ASL which I’m interested in because my daughter is nonverbal. I could go on and on but I literally would not be alive without having the library as a community pillar.

[@ihatemickiegee]

SUCH an important perspective. one of the most NECESSARY perspectives. thank you for sharing. it’s not just about those of us who can’t afford to buy books/media all the time or who need a free place to study or use the internet or whatnot… it’s about all the other valuable things a library affords: to parents, children, and everything being a parent or child comes with in this world…especially underprivileged but regardless all around. thanks again for sharing

[@viscorner4]

To be honest, I don't believe rewriting is the solution. There is something to be critiqued and learnes about mistakes made in the past. History shows where we come from and why things had to change. Plus I don't think the use of the word 'fat' should be a problem, it's literally a descriptive. The problem is when all of the fat characters are portrayed as villains and or comic relief. It's not just the words, it's the meaning being them, the stereotypes the lack of inclusivity, etc. Let's change things forward rather than participating in revisionism

[@JessOwens]

i agree!

[@martakavaliauskaite4566]

​@@JessOwens agree

[@viscorner4]

I'm not American and I've never been to a Barnes and Noble but everytime these CEOs call out other worse corporation, I'm reminded of the spiderman meme. Like sir, are you not the bookstore that refuses to carry debut novels or even novels by previously successful authors of color ?

[@iheartwalle]

That's why indies are so great!

[@thecozycryptids9807]

I can comment on the BN "local store" aspect. I've been a BN bookseller for almost 10 years, and we now have almost full creative control in creating tables and displays and it is awesome. When it comes to how we determine our local market, it really comes down to our regular customers and our area statistics in how we determine how to cater to that market. We know our customers best and are able to make displays to reflect that. In regards to the booktok and popular tables appeal, unfortunately we are still in the business of making money and I need to stay employed, and our audience wants those popular titles. These tables will always be a staple in my store because they sell so well. But I also have creative control in creating other fun themed displays, order books in we think will sell, and even make our own signs. At the end of the day, yes corporate sends initial stock of what they think will sell, but having passionate booksellers means we can decide what additional things to order in and display. Hope that helps!

[@martakavaliauskaite4566]

Spot on

[@teatunesandtales]

In regards to rewriting Roald Dahl... I think that's dangerous territory. Who are we going to rewrite next? Mark Twain, Jane Austen, Poe? Just because we don't agree with some of the references or subject manner, or the views of a long-dead writer, I don't think that constitutes rewriting their works to be more sensitive. They wrote what they wrote. They were who they were. Is that excusable? No, not at all. But taking decades old, or even centuries old works and making them more tolerable to a 21st century mindset isn't the way to do it. Read (or don't read) their works for what they are, and then use the controversial topics as talking points. 🤷‍♀️

[@JessOwens]

Exactly! It will quickly become a slippery slope

[@lindamoore3530]

They did rewrite Mark Twain. He used the term "nigger" in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. It was decided to remove offensive language from his books. Yes it's not correct today, but it was back in Twain's time.

[@dareisayit]

My issue is that changing them isn’t the answer. Conversation, nuanced is needed. Changing it is sanitation of the reality and just shows companies want to keep making money off of these works. The changing of words to a more neutral language is what so many states have done in the past and now are being brought back with this resurgence of trying to ban ‘critical race theory’ and ‘LGTBQ’ issues from being taught. Florida changed their textbook for Rosa Parks to say ‘One day she rode the bus. She was told to move to a different seat. She refused.’ It’s no longer a hypothetical slippery slope we’re already slipping down it.

[@mikkareads]

Rewriting books is a topic I've talked about with people a lot recently. Where does it start, where does it end, what is acceptable? If it's a book for adults, I'd prefer that instead of rewriting, the publishers add a preface or an addendum explaining why xyz is problematic, but how and why xyz was used by the author. Was it considered perfectly fine and acceptable in the era the book was written, etc.? What was the historical context? If it's a book for children, it's more difficult, I feel. I would not want children to read racist or demeaning terms in a story that makes it feel fine and dandy. So, replacing truly offensive terms? Ok, maybe. But if it means rewriting so that it is almost a completely different book, then it might be time to just 'retire' the book? Not every book has to be for the ages. Which also goes for some adult books. I'd be perfectly fine with letting "Gone with the Wind" quietly fade away.

[@martakavaliauskaite4566]

​@@JessOwens agree it is verry slippery slope they are rewritting agatha christie books mystery quenn books becouce she used black men / niger term sory if it is insulting she was english lady well educated by that times and didnt cnow any dark skinned people and in her books they describtion isnt rasist her books are mystery

[@Likeicare96]

A better solution, in my opinion, is like what Disney does with some of their more controversial media where there’s a blurb about it being a product of their time, why it’s wrong, etc. Sanitizing history and literature for kids isn’t helpful and is actively harmful for their development

[@arlissbunny]

My husband just walked through the room during your library rant and said, “we need her in office.” ❤

[@Free_the_bookshelf]

Publisher do not care about sensitivity. The ONLY reason books are being rewritten is to sell more books, that's it. All it does is continue to eliminate the need to have the conversations we have when we feel something from language.

[@eilindene]

I agree with you 100% about the Roald Dahl issue and have been surprised more people haven't been talking about it. That said...this isn't the first time that Roald Dahl books have been rewritten. I grew up with my mom's childhood copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is different than copies that have been available for a while. The Oompa Loompas were changed from African Pygmies to white hippie-ish characters in '73.

[@blackheartbooks]

We can read old books and see how far we’ve come. If we “fix” every old book we lose our progress. We can’t pretend it never happened or society never accepted it.

[@stephanieraylove]

I dont think people should be able to edit out how awful we were in the past as humans. Thats how we got here, where teaching about slavery isn't allowed in schools because it might "make some children uncomfortable" 🙄

[@mystoreysofstories]

I’ve been a bookseller at BN for five years and our store has gone through a big renovation lately. Painting, new shelving units, reorganization, etc. to make it look more modern and nice. The “focus on books” is heavily emphasized in the gift department where there used to be all kinds of wack stuff including makeup (??) that you would never expect to find at a bookstore, but now it’s catered more toward the book lover with journals, candles, planners, book-themed items, etc. I’ve even gotten to meet the CEO Mr. James Daunt, and he’s genuinely a nice guy who loves books. I can confirm though that the majority of the decisions for what to carry in the store and the layout of the store and even sometimes what to display on tables is not the booksellers’ choice. Corporate will tell us the majority of what tables to display and certain books to display, and a lot of other books on tables depend on the quantity we have because the tables have to have titles with large quantities. The monthly picks every month are chosen by corporate in conjunction with publishers to be special handsell titles that every bookseller is required to talk about with every customer. So sometime even when you have the perfect idea of a book for a customer, you feel obligated to recommend a monthly pick instead because those sales are tracked.

[@t.a.summers]

Both Judy Blume and Margaret Atwood had to issue clarifying statements after the same journalist who interviewed them, who is VERY notably anti-trans, shaped questions and the articles to skew their words. I'm glad Blume clarified, but I also definitely understand people in the trans community who were still hurt by that and are weary in the aftermath of all that. The attacks on libraries hurt my heart and spirit.

[@teatunesandtales]

Missouri. I hate that I live here. 😫😫😫 I live in St. Louis, which is only marginally better than the rest of the state, at least in regards to libraries. I used to live in Springfield (Greene County library district), and they really do rely on those funds. As do all the other rural libraries. It just makes me SOOOO mad that they keep going after the books. You know what, Ban Guns Not Books. 🤬🤬🤬 Edit: expounded on a thought.

[@JessOwens]

😭😭😭😭

[@skeletonkeybooks]

My mom ran for the Missouri House last year but the Democratic party wouldn't give her any funding because they'd already given up on winning that district. Like here in Colorado they gave up on beating Boebert. With that attitude, of course the right-wing nutjobs are going to beat them.

[@aluralorrell3297]

Our BN has been adding couches and the got rid of the Starbucks in favor of a local coffee roaster

[@the_broken_spine]

Just an FYI: James Daunt does not own Barnes & Noble. It’s owned by a Private Equity firm called Elliott Management. They also own Waterstones. Daunt does own his own bookstore. And, honestly Daunt is pretty much hands off right now. There’s a legacy person that’s pulling the trigger on a lot of things and there are some things that are going backwards (i.e. things that they did in the past that didn’t work). Daunt’s vision is to have smaller more indie-like stores with more autonomy but there is still a big corporate hand in pot. As far as Roald Dahl shouldn’t be revised because it’s a reflection of who he was and that’s a discussion that needs to be had.

[@MsWOCReader]

B&N has sales almost every month. I'd love to see what their sales numbers actually look like for real. Because when Bed Bath and Beyond was offering sales and coupons all the time we knew the end was near

[@jj-reads]

Libraries are more than books! I work in one and here’s some things we have beyond the usual books and DVDs and stuff: we have notaries, passport services, an outdoor play area and mini children’s museum that switches themes seasonally, a children’s play space constantly monitored for safety, designated teen and preteen hangout spaces, free wifi, printing, photocopying, scanning and faxing. A literacy office. A career counselor. A business center for entrepreneurial resources. A social worker. You can borrow lawn games, wifi hotspots, cricut machines, fun cake pans, lawn happy birthday signs and tons of other things. We just opened an innovation space with 3d printers and engravers etc and a media recording center. In the summer we offer free lunch for kids every weekday. And that’s before I even get into the variety of programs for all ages, from crafts for kids to exercise programs for seniors. And we offer Libby, hoopla, kanopy, and all sorts of other digital resources.

[@dimerymichaels3539]

My local B&N is different now in terms of layout. The floor plan is more open and books are easier to browse and see. I can’t tell that the book themselves are any different. They don’t seem to be. It is a nicer experience to be in there though. We still have all the records, journals, games, and toys. There are also still a ton of LOTR books and Sarah Janet everywhere, but also I went to get some books for the trans rights read a ton in March and an employee took me around and we picked up like a dozen trans books right away, just running around everywhere, about half by people of color! And he even ordered one for me that they didn’t have. It was so nice!! My husband also found some really obscure warhammer books in store this week that he used to not see there. I think my B&N is really big though, so I’d be interested to see one that doesn’t have a lot of space and what that store decides to house in what limited space they have.

[@teatunesandtales]

B&N... Went to two of their locations over the weekend for the first time in a couple of years (because that's the frequency of my trips 😅... I prefer Half Price Books). They were okay. But definitely different than I remembered. There actually seemed to be LESS books, I'd that's possible. 🤔 And their layout of their bookshelves is kind of confusing. I had the hardest time finding the fantasy section, and then when it did, it was such a small offering, compared to their emphasis on the Tik Tok tables. It doesn't feel like an open layout.

[@JessOwens]

Less books? LMAO I wouldn't be surprised. I don't under that company at all

[@MsWOCReader]

Same every time I walk in there I wonder how people find books they don't already know about because their set up is a mess

[@KittyxKult]

I don’t think we need to change old books. A very simple discussion guide added to the end to reflect on issues from the book is great. Erasing history is not a good idea

[@RaetheSaint]

I find changing Roald Dahl’ words very weird because it no longer is HIS book if a lot of the content has been changed. If parents and teachers see the kids reading these books, they can have conversations about language and what is and isn’t appropriate to say/call people, but erasing it entirely isn’t the answer

[@TwirlGirl2197]

I just moved and the local Barnes and Noble had just been renovated and I HATE IT. They made this bookstore a damn maze, it makes absolutely no sense how its laid out and they gave it a Utah Mommy Blogger vibe (you know the type - the ones with the all white homes, the white pets, the white blond headed children) it just feels sterile and blinding. I also didn’t find a single book I wanted in the store. Not one and I had a list of 10 I was looking for. I’m thankful I’m close enough to a big city with a large indie bookstore presence because the new B&N look, layout, and selection is awful. The worst part is I found pics online of how it used to look and it looked so cozy and lovely. Its a damn shame.

[@margar3181]

"Point of order!! What is y'all doing?! You can't railroad this proceeding!" 😂 I love your energy! 😊

[@margar3181]

"You outta order! You still don't hardly know where the bathroom at!"

[@Kaitydid_Krixtur]

Thank you for keeping us updated on these important issues. So sad 😢

[@Kaitydid_Krixtur]

"You worried about libraries, you need to worry about your gd checking account b*tch" lol 😂 so true

[@lexi8445]

I feel the exact same way you do about the state of this country. Especially living in the south, it's so immanent. It's rough out here.

[@tahliae]

Swell Entertainment did a really interesting review (before this article came out) of the B&N renovations in her neighborhood. The new look is definitely giving me airport bookstore vibes instead of the cozy cafe vibes I was hoping for! This article makes me wonder how much the local stores have a say in their layout plans as they all gradually get “upgraded”

[@dragontat94]

Former BN bookseller here - there was a lot of conversations had about the independent/local bookstore aesthetic BN wants to go for. I have no idea what those at the top want, but from our store’s standpoint, it wasn’t true. As a company we have to push certain books. We can set up individual displays, but the company gets on us if we don’t sell enough of our company-chosen monthly picks. They’re not bad books, but our customers wouldn’t buy certain books - they didn’t buy any of the speculative fiction picks - and that was considered a failing in our part as booksellers. We couldn’t advocate for our specific customers either. We talked to higher-ups about keeping signage to help older customers, and to keep editions like hardcover and paperback together, but we were brushed aside. Same thing if customers wanted books that were not originally in the store, as in the books that didn’t make the most popular list. I had several people asking for Kelly Yang’s book, and the store wasn’t allowed to get it in, even though kids were asking for it. TL;DR: James Durant says things that make BN sound better than it is. We still operate as a massive corporation, with little interaction to local community.

[@HuckleberryCyn]

8:48 Honestly, I have been noticing changes to my local Barnes and Noble- less books, less shelves, more open spaces, and more toys. SJM has an entire bookcase to her self. The horror section is just Stephen King, Joe Hill, and Darcy Coates. They significantly downsized their poetry section. There are several booktok tables with the same selection in different points of the store. They’ve downsized their notebook and journal sections. YA takes up a very large portion, but adult sci-fi and fantasy is practically nonexistent. I’ve seen one staff curated display of “I Support Women’s Rights and Women’s Wrongs”, but not much else. And I repeat- so, so much open space. A circus trope can do an entire routine and never hit a single bookshelf. Along with that, all seating that is not in the cafe is gone. I remember killing time waiting for my spouse to pick me up from work by sitting in a comfy chair and flipping through books. I used to go into BN and spend hours looking through the shelves to see what new books I might not have heard about. The best backlisted titles I had read when I was younger was because I was set loose in a Barnes until someone caught my eye. Now? I only buy from Barnes if there is a decent sale and even THAT has gone the way of the dinosaurs. I don’t live in a big city, but my city has a huge population. I can almost guarantee that local interest and needs are not reflected. But I know one place that does- the independent bookstores.

[@SloanePaoPow]

I'm also of two minds with older books being edited to be more P.C. let me preface this by saying it is within the rights of the people who own the material to make these changes. it's not like outside censors are coming in to demand these changes. Reminds me of what happened with a few Dr. Seuss books being discontinued publishing. No one canceled them. The company who owns them decided not to republish. Again, within their rights. However, there is something to be said about books being a window into the time period being written. Are they often problematic, yes, and when I read them I go "yikes!" But it also reveals the realities of the common view points of the time, which I think is important to remember. Yet, I understand wanting to edit popular and beloved classics books to be more welcoming to everyone. I think minor edits for word choice are okay, but there comes a point where some books have major book themes centering around problematic issues that would take major rewrites to remove. Then the question becomes, is it even the same book at that point? I dont think this is even happening, but I think editing content is a spectrum that can go too far, but a little is alright. Thoughts?

[@sarapendley4292]

Also thank you so so much for touching on the messed up priorities in politics these days. Feeling so powerless in the face of so much cruelty can be hard, but you’re not alone.

[@CarolMarieReads]

I know it’s easy to get in your head and that you can’t do anything but I think your videos are you helping/doing something. There are things I would have no idea about without the book community on KZbin.

[@JessOwens]

💜💜💜

[@samanthahubachek106]

I live in Missouri and I had no idea. Thank you for this. I’m going to get on it, do what I can. And I agree it is f-ing overwhelming. It’s hard enough to be a person.

[@jennifertrimble5214]

The Barnes and Noble I go to had a weird rearrangement recently. The shelves used to be straight across, fiction, mystery etc. Now the shelves seem to be "L" shaped and some areas have multiple genres. It was a bit disorientating, but I guess I'll get used to it. I did notice that a lot of the "special" sales tables book selections seemed redundant- books repeated on several tables. Almost got me with all the Daisy Jones and the Six repeats, but I'm fighting it because I watched the TV show on Prime and the story isn't really that compelling. Enjoyable, yes, Deep? No.

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I get that rant at the end. And honestly I have been feeling it. It's hard to see a way out, or even a future, with everything that is going on now. It just looks like devastation. And I wish I had something nice to say, some words of comfort, but I am struggling to find that for myself. The only thing I can do is to discourage doom scrolling, and celebrate the victories that we are getting. Like maybe, when you do one of these videos talk about a positive piece of news, so you are not just seeing the destruction that is currently going on. And it is good to hear that you are doing treatments. (Also, spreading awareness is doing something, and you should be proud of these videos)

[@cheeruppirate]

As someone who worked at BN both before and after the CEO change there’s was definitely more power with the booksellers to order books they wanted for the store now. It used to be, you got what you got and it was based on National sales. But now BN is more likely to carry small but local authors to an area.

[@VickiWeavil]

I'm a retired librarian who now writes books featuring libraries and librarian protagonists. Defunding libraries is one of those misguided ideas that some people think will save money or "improve" society in some way. (That is, remove access to information those people don't want other people to have). But -- as you clearly stated -- what they don't realize is that libraries offer so much to their communities -- internet access for those who can't afford it (try to get a job without the internet these days), literacy ed., help for small business owners, homework help, a place for students to do group projects, interactive programs for young children, resources for everyone in the community, and so on. Without this support, fewer people will be able to join the workforce, improve their knowledge and skills to help at their workplaces, read and write, learn English as a second language, and many other things. Not to mention the value of free reading materials, DVDs, eBooks, etc. But sadly, maybe that's the goal? Keep people down so "the powers that be" can maintain control over them? Anyway, closing libraries is certainly not going to help with any sort of progress or upward mobility in a community. I know some people say, why do we need libraries when everything's online? Well, it isn't. Older materials and resources from smaller publishers aren't always available online. Also, while I love bookstores, libraries provide resources that most bookstores do not, like more diverse books, out-of-print books, and books that represent many different cultures and points of view.

[@martakavaliauskaite4566]

Spot on its amazing comment librarys are hart of communitys and safe place for me it saved my life and sanity when everything araund me was mess thanks to severe bullying children and grown ups can bee extremelly cruel and ruthless if you different by their standarts thank you so much for all your hard work best wishes to you and your family

[@hollyc4624]

Well said Jess! That was an epic rant and completely necessary. Every point was spot on. A book written in support of AANHPI people isn’t the same book without expressing the thoughts that the author expressed. It would completely change the purpose of her story, not to mention her life experiences. And you are so right about the BS in America right now. All we can do is try to live through it and vote and protest. Make our voices heard. I had decided to consciously spend less time looking at the news each day because its meant to be upsetting, that’s what gets people to watch.

[@aletheac3400]

I feel for you on finding the right antidepressant. It is a science experiment. It takes time to find the right one and the right dosage, and you feel like you are going more crazy while you go through it all. Hang in there. You will find the right one. Don't give up.

[@aletheac3400]

basically what I read is that individual stores can order books that sell more in their community. Like, if manga sells well, they will stock more of that. If romance sells well, they will order that. The store managers and staff can order books. At least that's what I read in other publications. I don't have a barnes and nobles by me, so 🤷‍♀

[@nicoleroles2018]

I live in WV and we don’t have Barnes and Noble in the state (that I’m aware of). We have Books-a-million, which I never hear book tubers mention. Anyone else familiar with it?

[@crimebrulee]

We had a local Books-a-million where I grew up. I liked it then (cause books), but I prefer Barnes and Noble now

[@abbys9934]

There's a Barnes & Noble (and a Books-A-Million!) in Morgantown! I prefer Barnes & Noble, but it's nice to have a choice.

[@nicoleroles2018]

@@abbys9934 Really?! I wish we had a B&N closer to Beckley. I’ve never been to one

[@christinec28]

As an ex-librarian assistant, I can tell you, ALL the things libraries provide beyond just books is WHY they wanna defund them. They want folks dumb, ignorant, and most important of all... clueless on how to REGISTER TO VOTE. Also, totally agree on rewriting past books for a modern audience is ridiculous. It's historical revision. It's removing the crimes and biases of these authors to where future generations will FORGET they were racist, ableist, fatphobic, queerphobic, sexist, etc. We don't need to absolve these folks. Let the world see who they are.

[@KatieColson]

Wow this was so difficult to watch. But needed to be said and needs to be heard by everyone. It’s so difficult to come to terms with how absolutely effed this entire country is. And the hopelessness of not being able to do basically anything about it. I’m so sorry that your empathy, which should be a gift, is also a curse in this way. It really beats you down. And you deserve so much better than that

[@scheherazade2291]

Hey Jess! Hope you’re doing well! I just read an article that they put the library money back into the budget!

[@JessOwens]

🤞🏾🤞🏾

[@readingwithrebeccanicole]

My state barely escaped terrible library bills. The library director in my town says to contact legislators even after the legislative session is over because that's when they are drafting bills for the next session. We need to be LOUD

[@angelus2402004]

Thank you for talking about this Jess.

[@KMaeRader]

You articulate my feelings perfectly… the anger and disbelief and just *internal screaming* that you put in to words, I appreciate it and you 💕

[@book_nerd9]

I don't understand something. People are sounding the alarm that reading comprehension is down 40% and that we are in a crisis and they turn around and do that like u want your kids to learn how to read or not

[@nunocadima1999]

We need more people like you , Jess, in the world!

[@rileytuawai7241]

This is so fascinating! As an indigenous person of New Zealand (Maaori), the tea on Maggie Tokuda-Hall, the AANHPI collective and Scholastic really got me thinking about my own author's note. Am currently studying a masters in creative writing with the end game of publishing a book about the cultural/societal influence of Hip-hop on our youth. We have a special guest visiting in May-- Colson Whitehead. I'm wondering if he had a similar experience to Maggie Tokuda-Hall when he got published, especially Underground Railroad. I'm so excited I can't wait to meet him in person!!

[@SarahEsmaeWolfe]

My local library has a state parks and historic sites pass, so important for people who can't afford the parking or entry fee to be able to have access to natural places and history education. There are lots of Native American sites in my area. So much more than just books.

[@viscorner4]

The whole rant at the end 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Watching from the outside is disheartening. Of course Europe and the rest of the whole has their issues. But something about the way people in power keep telling the people who elected them how little their care about their lives is heartbreaking. From the unaffordable medical care, gun violence, the attack on women's reproduction rights and every other marginalized groups' rights, the censorship going on right now with the books, etc. These bigots need to stop playing in everyone's face and be removed

[@JessOwens]

YES. The world isn't perfect but like the US is letting this country fall to pieces

[@BooksToAshes]

I’m from Canada so I’m right above America and it’s terrifying to see the changes. I feel horrible for people living there who are fighting for things that should be basic rights. Going to a library or going to school should be something anyone can do without worry or fear. It feels like they’re going back in time.

[@Jereshification]

Never say sorry about a justified rant. Keep speaking the truth

[@VrieChica078]

Your rant at the end summed up exactly how I feel at the state of this country.

[@missyroberts8197]

The nearest Barnes and Noble to us is in an area with primarily Black, Latine, and SWANA families. Every time I go in there, all they have is a bunch of CoHo and SJM. It's the most whitewashed selection. Meanwhile, both the nearby Target and Walmart have some diverse books. A small section, but more than other similar stores in primarily white areas. B & N need to do some actual changing when Walmart's two whole rows of books have a higher percentage of diverse titles than B & N.

[@Aiyume7]

"libraries also help with voter registration" aaaaaaaaaand now you know why they want the libraries gone

[@kaylamoerman8808]

On rewriting books: personally, erasing things that occurred in the past doesn't really contribute to discussions about improving the future, nor the discussion about why things need to improve. As well as this, removing media that is considered problematic does not make a society better, it makes it vulnerable, especially with children's books. I think exposing kids at a young age to problematic media opens up the opportunity to discuss why it might be problematic and helps develop critical thinking and awareness (of course that means parents actually have to parent). If all the media we're given to consume is deemed morally good, we won't blink twice when something prejudicial is released into the mix, because everything we're given to consume is alright, so this must be too, it's a very slippery slope in my opinion and too easy to manipulate. I agree as well with you're idea of 'how far will it go?' are we going to sensor Dorian Gray for all the misogyny in it? What of authorial intent? Dorian is supposed to be corrupt... Any book, no matter how badly written or poorly representative still can be analysed to give a critical view of the time period: take horror for example, a lot of the time (I believe) elements in the horror genre reflect real-time fears of the society: should Dracula be altered to remove the xenophobic aspects within the story? From this perspective, we're no better than Victorians 'revamping' older historical items etc to make them fit what the Victorians perceived to be appropriate and 'correct': art is history and rewriting it is an erasure of often the grimmest parts, probably because people are ashamed to acknowledge that they were a part of that. on a side note: Mrs Twit might be called ugly, but there is a whole chapter in The Twits dedicated to how ugliness is developed over time due to cruelty: the removal of the word is absurd because it feeds into the narrative that ugliness is surface level (which is used a lot as a motif), where a significant message in The Twits is that ugliness goes beyond that. It's been a while since I've read it but there's a passage that essentially goes 'it you have crooked teeth... and think good thoughts all your features will shine like sunbeams...' And Charlie for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was supposed to be black to criticise social injustice at the time, but the publishing company blocked it, so if we're rewriting, is that going to change back to what it was intended to be before it was white-washed?

[@forchante]

In my town in Maryland, a lot of Barnes and Noble's have closed; however, one simply moved to a smaller location within the same shopping center. I have been there and immediately felt a change in the atmosphere. I am used to catching the comforting maximalist feeling in the small bookstores in Baltimore or Washington D.C., but this did accomplish that feeling. The only thing I don't think translates in the new store is if it reflects my local area. Of course, Marylanders are obnoxious with the state flag, football team gear, etc., but this one did not even scream Maryland - which is kind of odd for any city/county in MD tbh.

[@manuelvilar2242]

I'm shocked it wasn't Florida that is defunding libraries. De Santos is taking notes.

[@heymer4274]

Rewriting for inclusivity and sensitivity is erasing history. There are lessons to be learned from the words and context that were written in the past. It is our responsibility to read those words with an asterisk of nuance. It is more important for authors to be proactive about sensitivity and inclusion in their current works. We know better, we need to do better NOW. Because we have a whole lot of books to look back on that didn't know better.

[@teatunesandtales]

Yes. My anxiety has been so high this week. I dread opening up my phone to see who has been shot today just doing something that is a nonevent. I'm so nervous about just driving down the street or going to the store. Gun lovers are so trigger happy because of all the false rhetoric being fed to them from the extremists. It's just a lot. And I feel helpless and hopeless to do anything about it. Vote, they say. Done that. Write your senators/reps. Did that... I got a barf-induced reply from Hawley stating how he's so is love with the 2A and so in everyone else (no, sorry, not everyone is 😑). Anyway, I validate and reiterate your rant. 💙 Edit: spelling/grammar

[@JessOwens]

OMG NOT A REPLY FROM HAWLEY 😭😭

[@Lorie336]

I agree with Judy Blume and how is rewriting an author's work fixing the problem? Why not have a conversation on why those terms that he used are no longer acceptable? I read Witches and it was written in terms for children and supposed to be humorous. My son read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and loved it. Everything else you said I couldn't agree more and not just with the books, but all the other crazy things where people can't be themselves, women have no rights to their bodies, and people getting shot for pulling into the wrong driveway or wrong car. That's why we need books, it's still an escapism for me because when the world gets a little too crazy for me that's where I will hide and if I can't hide there I am definitely hiding in a video game. Much love to you and Nigel, it's rough, we'll stay strong together. 💕💕💕

[@bethloubet4650]

I just bought Maggie's book. Thanks for the exposure for her issues with Scholastic.

[@bethloubet4650]

Re: B&N -- I worked there in the 90s, and this is how they USED to be. No games and toys, minimal book-related gifts, higher visibility for staff picks, displays that relied on book visibility rather than quantity, staff emphasis on being able to recommend.... I'd love to see that come back.

[@ellenonoda]

Thank you so much for bringing awareness for this bullshit and also being angry on behalf of all of us who stand with you. I’ve loved visiting libraries since I was a child. I grew up in a small white town in Oregon and our city council members tried to get rid of our small town library several times but luckily our community members rallied on behalf of the library every time. I grew up thankfully middle class but I was one of the lucky ones. Many of my classmates didn’t have enough food or resources at home to do well at school so they relied on school libraries and the public library to use the computers for homework. My husband and I take our 3 year old daughter to the library as often as our schedule allows, at least several times a month because we want to marvel at what they have to offer (more than books!) thank you and I agree with you 😢 this country has been 💩

[@nerdy_nurse]

I have a friend who works at the public library in Livingston parish, La. There is a group attacking them on a daily basis over books they think should be banned and it has gotten really nasty. Honestly it feels like the world has moved backward by decades. I know you’re not likely nearby, but you are in the state so if you feel so inclined, please look them up and offer your support. ❤

[@caprisbookisland]

“It’s jarring when you see the quiet part out loud.. the stuff they keep behind closed doors is brought to light” YUP

[@arianabuchanan6682]

I found your videos about a week ago and I added you to the rotation because you make me laugh so much! Thank you for being so lovely ❤

[@ReadingAdrift]

So I live in Philly and work in Center City where I used to go to the Barnes and Noble during my lunch. They actually just closed it and are relocating it a few blocks away. Now that you e brought this to my attention, I’m going to check it out once it’s done (posters outside say this spring) and look for any significant changes to see if it really is different from what the older one used to be 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@mizzbrwneyez89]

Thank you for this series

[@rachelbyrum7488]

My B&N split the romance section in the weirdest way. Part of it is where I’m used to it being but it’s a fraction of how large the display used to be and is the classic tiny novel version traditional romance authors, a different section in a different area from the hard back romance and A THIRD section (Also in a different spot) that’s the paperback romance books which also happens to be the most modern/diverse romance section🙄🙄

[@beckf1858]

I live in Tulsa. In February, I took a vacation to Charleston, South Carolina where I think I may have blacked out a couple of times and bought ALL the books. I had to check a second bag home. I hit up several indie stores, but I also went into 3 B&N stores (one in Mount Pleasant, one close to the airport, and one in Hilton Head). While they all had the familiar aesthetic of a B&N, they were all very different with very curated local reads sections. I noticed this before I read the article in this video, and made that observation. Out of curiosity, I visited the 2 B&N stores we have here in Tulsa. I used to work at one, so I'm very familiar with the layout, where each section is, etc. Or at least I thought I was. I'm actually pretty impressed with the shift in focus. While I will always give priority to local indie stores, it is nice to know that when I travel in the US and I want local books, etc. If there is a B&N, I'm probably going to hit pay dirt there. After reading the article earlier this month (or maybe last month), I did some research on the new CEO. I think he truly understands readers, the book industry and what works best. He's not just a "bottom line" kind of corporate head.

[@mxmreads5889]

I think on the changing older books discussion: I think that yes, these books are harmful because they were written in a different time and some things should NOT be still taught as "good" or "normal" to kids. Because that does something with these children, no matter if we want it to or not. However, i wish we would 1) actually discuss the issues with the kids and use them as actual teaching moments and materials instead of saying "you can't read it" or any of the other things people do in order to not teach our kids to think critically about what they're reading without making that something bad. But 2) I also wish that, when we realize something does not hold up or includes harmful language or messages, we would pick up something else and make that "big". I did my master thesis in education on Roald Dahls books and the education styles in them and can say with my whole chest that there is so much better and more appropriate material out there now and i would love to just... Let some things age out of our collective Must Read Lists to actually make space for material that already does include the morals and the messages that we are now trying to make work in material that wasn't written with the intent to include everyone and be what we want our standards for what kids should learn today about equality, respect and acceptance.

[@cgreen6099]

Add Ian Fleming. Agatha Christie and Edgar Rice Burroughs to the list of authors whose books are being changed I believe. I also understand that you technically don't 'own' ebooks you lease them so publishers can change them without your knowledge. I could be wrong but that is what I read in an article when all this started.

[@brittywithbooks]

There’s two Barnes and noble’s I go to and both have the same old authors like sjm and CH 🤡 and very small new authors books with the new authors you have to order the books in stores . It’s a VERY slow process for them to have new and Indy authors

[@Moohki]

21:29 the way I clutched my pearls like I was the one getting yelled at 😭

[@mplbooks]

Our B&N has definitely changed. There used to be a much larger "toys/other" kind of area. But also, the way they've made the shelves and sections like a labyrinth is really weird. (And I may be a little salty that our local B&N won't stock my titles, even as a local author.)

[@brooke5258]

Changing text in older books sounds good in theory. But it's wholly dependent on the persons doing the editing. If you allow alt-right people to hold the pen, they would completely rewrite history. (Like TX changing textbooks.) So it's best to just leave old books alone. If necessary, add a content warning page at the beginning. (All books should come with them now, imo.)

[@JessOwens]

Yepppp

[@martakavaliauskaite4566]

​@@JessOwens agree

[@kitty4407]

Unfortunately B&N may be the only bookstore around which means they’re going to carry what’s popular bc that’s likely what sells there. I think you may see differences within the individual sections more so than as a store as a whole. I see people buying Maas and Hoover every single time I’m at B&N, they go there looking for it. I know from talking to people who run the children’s department (many) years ago, that that can be very personalized by store. Programming, authors, readings, what books are displayed, promoted, etc. not sure the other sections get as much attention beyond who currently employed has an interest in it. They probably just use whatever guidance on what is going to be popular to purchase books. Now, the shelving of stuff has gotten weird. They’ll divide authors up between scifi and fantasy. Sometimes flipping what section the books are in. Most definitely scifi books shelved in fantasy. Most boom comics were grouped together but not all. Some books I swear were adult in YA section. And always there are some I would think are fantasy but are always shelved in fiction. Like a Discovery of Witches. I struggle to find what I’m looking for there 😂.

[@melodiclaine]

thanks, jess!

[@DefineAfroSoul]

I spent way too long in my local B&N trying to figure out how the books were ordered before I realized they weren’t in any specific order. Not by author first name, last name, or title. Couldn’t stand that so I’m never going back 😂

[@ihatemickiegee]

thank you so much for this video

[@arlissbunny]

I have to wonder if the push back against the reduction in debut and middle grade fed into this decision. If there is a god of books, B&N will become a stateside version of Waterstones. For a big book chain, Waterstones is pretty solid and I much prefer to give my money to them vs Amazon. I’m all for getting all the crap out of the B&N stores and giving that space back to books. The other thing I’ve noticed about Waterstones is that they seem to hire readers as booksellers. What a concept! Oh! And I much prefer the Waterstones website to B&N so hopefully this gets changed too. And I LOVE your bunny planter!!! 💕🐰

[@bestpoubelle5332]

I'm generally am of the opinion of not changing old books but instead having conversations about why these things are problematic. I think these revisions can easily give us an out to avoid discussing uncomfortable things instead of addressing this stuff. I also think revisions/cencorship can be a slippery slope.

[@martakavaliauskaite4566]

Agree

[@writenowdream3882]

On B&N, what if your interests and tastes differ from that of your local community? Won't that drive certain consumers to Amazon and other sellers anyway?

[@ashleah5458]

A very long time ago I worked at Borders and the thing they did better than B&N was selection. Maybe that was their downfall, but that lack is still what I don’t like about B&N now. If only the newest in the series is available and I haven’t read the backlist yet and I have to go online to get it, I’m leaving empty handed 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@raenorton7821]

Thank you for this video, it made me mad it made me laugh and it also managed to make me cry. You’re nice, keep going ✨

[@tinagarcia3571]

i so feel the emotion i am right there ranting with you.

[@jennthecapricorn]

Where did you order the Eric Mays shirt?

[@amy_harboredinpages]

I would love to go to my local B&N bi-weekly, but it's not a short drive. So it's been a couple of years. However, if I get to my state capital again, it WILL be a place I go to. I doubt my sister will take me again, because last time she lost me in the stacks... for a bit...😮 Apparently, I need a tracking device...😂😅😂😅 or she needs to bring our other 2 siblings along as back-up. I don't mind the extra things, as long as they are bookish or inspired by the books. I have yet to enjoy the cafe in ours, because I'm pretty sure my sis has used lunch at a restaurant to put a time restraint on my over exuberance. I'm curious to see how these "changes" will be made, though. Just how are they going to give us an independent bookstore vibe?

[@renee1309]

Barnes and Noble feels more like a media center atm...lots of toys, games, etc. If it wants to be "indie" it might lose the draw for younger audiences/families. And are they replacing all those Starbucks with smaller, "undergound" coffee brands? I'm interested to see how they redesign the space. I'm not even mad at the current setup. I work there and browse, though there are def more unique book collections at HPB.

[@kekkyeti]

I wish I can look at my local Barnes and Noble to see if it is more "local" this year, but they just closed the one right by my college campus, which is the one I always go to, to be relocated to the suburbs. :/

[@jenhaze]

Swell entertainment just did a video about the changes being made to the Grove B&N in Los Angeles - she does not seem to be a fan 😂

[@JessOwens]

Oh naurrrr

[@SloanePaoPow]

That article pushes the idea that Barnes and Noble has the atmosphere of a nice library. But it doesnt, at least not anymore. But if it's goal is to sell, it's reorganizing and slimming down it's selection to sell only the biggest sellers, does makes sense from a business perspective. It's not as nice for the costumer looking for a wider selection. But it's certainly lying if it's suggesting Barnes and Noble is a place for exploration. Not anymore it's not.

[@aniyamarie8370]

So, I’ve frequented my Barnes & Noble in the last year more than I have in the few years of living in Hawaii. You sharing this article made me realize they’re doing a poor job in displaying local authors. Almost every table display is covered in debuts, popular reads on Booktok, and whatnot all by white authors. Although Joseph Han is Korean, Nuclear Family barely got the attention it deserved; they displayed that book at the entrance, along with maybe six other books by local authors. Here and there throughout, you’ll find other books by Hawaiian authors. So, I hope this “exciting change” they’re discussing has to deal with actually catering to the audience of Barnes & Noble. Last I checked, anybody could read and I’ve met people of all backgrounds while being in the book community.

[@Emily-fh8en]

My B&N now has a much bigger scifi/fantasy section and YA section (Yay!) but also a large religious section and they changed the mass market paperback romance section to business 🤢

[@EotuaDawnwalker]

I wish all these government people would stop trying to police what people read. It’s none of your goddamn business what we read, and if you think if is, maybe you need to get your priorities checked out.

[@emmadroste8493]

I think my perspective is that by editing the books you remove the potential for the conversation with your kids. And I'd much rather have that opportunity then avoid the conversation