Vanishing bookstores speak volumes

I am not a bookworm, but I like going to bookstores more than anywhere else.

A two-floor bookstore in Wudaokou was once on my list of favorite bookstores because of its warm colors, quiet music, polite and knowledgeable staff, and the comfy chairs that welcome customers to browse books from its opening to closing without interruption.

I had not been to the bookstore in months but visited it last weekend in search of a book recommended by a friend. To my surprise, its first floor now basically does not sell books. Instead, its clearly laid-out shelves are replaced by souvenirs, toys, postcards and office supplies such as notepads, bookmarks and so on.