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Tonight, I’d like to buy two books. I have the money in my hand, and I know exactly what they are.

The first was recommended by John Gruber and is Elements of Style . As a writer-in-progress, though I certainly don’t aspire to high literature, it seems useful to me to study what good writing style is, and to apply that to my work.

The second, was a book I found as a result of a discussion I had with a friend today about growing my software business, Growing a Business .

Now, it’s useful to note that both of those links are from Amazon. I said to myself tonight, "I’d really like these books… if I can get em at my local Barnes and Noble, I’ll do that. So I immediately went to the Barnes and Noble website, to check local availability for them.

“Growing a Business” was out of stock everywhere. “Elements of Style” was available , but if you notice the link I originally gave for Elements, that link was to the Kindle version, which cost a mere $2.39 and I can download it tonight.

So in other words, I want to buy two books tonight. I have money in my pocket, and I am willing to drive 15 minutes to the bookstore to get em. Just tell me where to go and I’m there…. and lo and behold.. I either can’t get them, or they are so much cheaper and easier through Amazon, that I’d be foolish to buy it locally.

I love going to the bookstore. I love sitting in the coffee shop and browsing books. It’s as fun as going to a baseball game would be for others. It makes me sad to see that this past time of mine is soon going to be dead. I hope buying books online with wireless delivery continues to improve to the point that I will someday enjoy it as much.