Slog
News & ArtsFriday, December 18, 2009
Books Be Thankful You're Not in Laredo
Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Jacket Copy says that after the B. Dalton in the Mall Del Norte closes this January, Laredo, Texas will be the largest American city without one single bookstore. The nearest bookstore will be 150 miles away.
2
Actually, the nearest bookstore will be online. There are no cities without books anymore, unless they are cities without internet access.
3
This combined with the Tea bagging politician stating "We cannot let the pen be mightier than the sword!" makes me increasingly pessimistic about our future as a country, if not species.
4
How many churches does Laredo have? I'm guessing they have tons.
The inverse relationship between number of bookstores and number of churches would be interesting to investigate.
The inverse relationship between number of bookstores and number of churches would be interesting to investigate.
5
"The inverse relationship between number of bookstores and number of churches would be interesting to investigate."
Sounds like some good Stranger investigative freelance work. go for it
Sounds like some good Stranger investigative freelance work. go for it
6
Jesus, read the unbelievably cliche racist comments on the article speculating WHY Laredo can't maintain a bookstore. Apparently it's because so many residents don't speak English. Because we all know that's the only language books are written in.
10
Isn't Laredo the border town that was pretty much taken over by the violence from the Mexican drug cartels? From what I've read most people with any sort of education can't get out fast enough.
11
And oh, by the way, yes, I am thankful I don't live in Laredo. For many reasons. This one wouldn't even make the top 10.
12
@8,
Good point. Of course, with bars and churches, it's a direct relationship rather than an inverse one.
Good point. Of course, with bars and churches, it's a direct relationship rather than an inverse one.
13
Hey, guess what? They came up with this great thing called the internet. My nearest bookstore is in the den, plus 10 days for delivery.
14
how many libraries do they still have? Last I checked, those places still have books.
http://www.laredolibrary.org/
There are two branches and a bookmobile.
And while they suck there are still 3 walmarts in Laredo that sell books.
Now don't get me wrong, Laredo needs some book stores quick but they still have some books.
My point is just about doing some fact checking.
http://www.laredolibrary.org/
There are two branches and a bookmobile.
And while they suck there are still 3 walmarts in Laredo that sell books.
Now don't get me wrong, Laredo needs some book stores quick but they still have some books.
My point is just about doing some fact checking.
15
5280
I've heard first hand from the latino-scene that Tijuana is nasty nasty regarding the drug cartels. Waddya say we do that roommate sort of prank and take Constant down to the border for some Mescal shots? he can write about the price and portion size from his little booth at the Piroshky place.
I've heard first hand from the latino-scene that Tijuana is nasty nasty regarding the drug cartels. Waddya say we do that roommate sort of prank and take Constant down to the border for some Mescal shots? he can write about the price and portion size from his little booth at the Piroshky place.
16
It's not very far by high speed passenger rail from Dallas ...
Oh, wait, there aren't any of those in the US other than the NE?
silly me ...
Oh, wait, there aren't any of those in the US other than the NE?
silly me ...
17
Laredo has one of the lowest literacy rates in the country. Some magazine rated it the dumbest city in the US not too long ago. Low literacy does not make for a great market for book sellers
21
Will, if you were making a list of the best places to run high-speed rail in the US, Dallas-Laredo wouldn't be in the top 100. Maybe not the top 1000.
24
My hubby interviewed for a job in Pocatello Idaho about 20 years ago (Idaho State). They said the nearest bookstore was in SLC, 2.5 hours away. After that, we took a tour of the homes of Pocatello where we got a lesson on the meaning of multiple front doors of residences. Needless to say, that town was out for us.
25
That's a crying shame. My direct ancestors came from Spain in 1755 to found the city of Laredo. Well, glad I don't live there now. Happy to be in Seattle.
26
Hey, at least if they dont read there, they still EAT.
In Detroit, there are no supermarkets.
Almost a million people, not a single chain grocery store.
In Detroit, there are no supermarkets.
Almost a million people, not a single chain grocery store.
27
I'm a Seattleite displaced in Texas, and while I believe the majority of Texans are capable of reading at gunpoint, they overall simply choose not to read. Ever.
No. 1 thing I miss about the NW: Intellectual Curiosity.
No. 1 thing I miss about the NW: Intellectual Curiosity.
28
@24, emma's bee, would you mind giving US a lesson in multiple doors? Huh?
@27, yes, that's the more precise description of the American literacy tragedy: a great many can, but prefer not to. Also, more than you realize, we're surrounded by many who can, but not very well, and it's a struggle, so they prefer not to.
@27, yes, that's the more precise description of the American literacy tragedy: a great many can, but prefer not to. Also, more than you realize, we're surrounded by many who can, but not very well, and it's a struggle, so they prefer not to.
29
@26: yes, because the only place one can buy food is a Safeway. There are plenty of non-chain groceries (http://tinyurl.com/yl6fxhm) and one of the Midwest's biggest farmer markets, right in the city.
(As an ex-Detroiter, I can say there's lots of things wrong with Detroit, but this constant "there are no chain supermarkets!!" from the same people that bemoan the takeover of everything by Wal-mart always perplexes me.)
(As an ex-Detroiter, I can say there's lots of things wrong with Detroit, but this constant "there are no chain supermarkets!!" from the same people that bemoan the takeover of everything by Wal-mart always perplexes me.)
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@28: sorry for my delayed response, CP. Pocatello is a heavily Mormon town. Our faculty tour guide told us that each wife demanded her own separate main entrance. Some families would put up fake front doors (as a status symbol, multiple wives being quite expensive, dontcha know).
31
WELL I'M GLAD I'M NOT FIFTY-TWO-EIGHTY,POSTING THESE DISGUSTING COMMENTS ABOUT LAREDO,TX. . . . HOW DARE YOU WRITE SOMETHING SO FILLED WITH YOUR STUPIDITY. YOU NEED A shrink very badly. watch your mouth Retard.(Stephanie H.)
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