Alas, the joy of discovering a new author seems to be lost

The brutally hot weather we experienced this past week was a reminder as to why I only half-kiddingly used to remark to Val, "If you retire to Florida, you go alone." I ventured out for work or personal needs only when absolutely necessary and still came back to air-conditioned bliss, completely exhausted. One of the few bright spots was that the wonderful New Haven Symphony Orchestra switched its free concert from the New Haven Green to the cool and comfortable Shubert Theater.
Additionally, folks at the Guilford Art Center had luckily extended the Craft Expo this year to include Sunday; the only day at all bearable under those tents. Normally, the more leisurely pace of summer is an ideal time to find a shady spot and while away the time with a good read. But one of the best places to find a new book or an undiscovered author, is in serious financial trouble. Barnes & Noble, where the art of browsing was made even more pleasant by its in-house Starbucks and extensive magazine selection, may go the way of Borders.

E-book sales are doing well, but you have to know what you want to order. For me, the exciting feature of bookstores, both the large chains and the special independent ones with their dusty, hidden away areas, is the opportunity to discover what you didn't know you were looking for.

Even libraries with their coded "sections" are not as conducive to browsing. Whole new worlds can suddenly open when by chance, you randomly pick up a book, and it demands to be read further. The same is certainly true when you discover a new author. Without the opportunity to browse, we also limit our ability to discover a new, talented writer.

A perfect example of the power of an established name is the recent book, "The Cuckoo's Calling" written under the name of Robert Galbraith by the wildly popular J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame. Before the true author was revealed, the book, which received favorable reviews, had modest sales; but once it became known that it was penned by Rowling, it hit No. 1 on Amazon's best-seller list, and bookstores completely sold out.

While the immediacy of the Internet can telegraph our likes and dislikes to a wide audience, we seem to be losing the art of discovery and selection; whether it is in searching out a new book, perfume, movie or, indeed, most anything.

We prefer to have some famous, recognizable name attached to a product rather than look and decide for ourselves. Perhaps this lack of time or interest to browse and thus to discover, is not so important in areas like clothing, home furnishings, cosmetics, etc. But in areas which relate to ideas, such as movies, television and most especially books, when we narrow our world to the well known and famous, we miss out not only on the chance to discover a new talent; most important we have missed the unique chance of self-discovery.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 49 Rose St. Apt. 510, Branford, 06405.

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