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I present a passage from House of Anansi‘s Winter: Five Windows on the Season by Adam Gopnik.

For the final truth about snowflakes is that they become more individual as they fall; that, buffeted by wind and time, they are translated, as if by magic, into ever stranger and more complex patterns, until at last they touch earth. Then, like us, they melt.

I present a passage from House of Anansi‘s Winter by Adam Gopnik.

Winter is, once again, the white page on which we write our hearts. They would look different on a greener page.

Chapters is not just about books anymore. Canada’s biggest book retailer continues to embrace the lifestyle. And, in my opinion, they solidified their stance on Thursday, February 9, 2012 with Ashley Minnings’ spring/summer preview.

Chapters

Part one of Minnings preview showcases merchandise ranging from dishes to stationary to decor. The scope of the merchandise Chapters plans to provide makes it abundantly clear that the lifestyle segment is not an experiment but a direction. Chapters has been widely criticised for their decision to veer away from books. Carolyn Wood, Executive Director of the Association of Canadian Publishers, states, “If there’s fewer books, then there will be less potential readers.”

I can understand where the critics are coming from. If Chapters no longer focuses on books, that places the industry in a highly perilous position. However, Chapters didn’t have a choice in the matter. The failure to change with the industry would have very well spelled catastrophe. Let’s not forget the demise of Borders in the US or the local independents that have been forced to close their doors.

Indigo

In fact, Chapters shift may end up being their saving grace. Yes, books aren’t front and center. There’s no denying that. But books by no means have vanished from either Chapters landscape or vocabulary. To say otherwise would be a gross exaggeration. Instead, they have positioned themselves perfectly because now they cater not only to readers but also to consumers.

I realize it’s not easy to digest your biggest ally shifting gears. But isn’t that better than losing your ally altogether? We’re quick to call Chapters shift abandonment when, in reality, it’s survival.