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Many of you may have received this notification from Book Depository (see image). I wonder if like me, you thought of it as another casualty of the ruthless post-pandemic rationalisation. Still, I can't help but feel a little wistful over its fate.
Years ago, when I first came across its services, I thought it was a great find. Book Depository had reliable delivery services and best of all, it had been for free. That made its books relatively cheaper than many other online bookstores. It certainly was the case for the brick and mortar shops I knew.
So for awhile, Book Depository had been feeding my reading habit. Being online on it felt like I was browsing the same bookshelves as everyone else wherever they were in the world. I took advantage of its member discounts, sales and Black Friday bargains!
Tearing into a Book Depository package, there's the additional delight of an inserted book-mark falling out from the inside cover. I've quite a collection of its book-marks over the years and given away many to friends. It's a nice thought that thousands of readers out there are similarly using a place marker, their reading interrupted by life.
The reality of life sometimes bites, doesn't it? The business entity that is accountable to shareholders must grow profits, control soaring costs and cut its losses. Be that as it may, let my little voice here record my gratitude for a service that's brought me much pleasure and made a difference for me.
To the people who had been behind Book Depository, I wish you well.
Postscript added on 10 Oct 2023: Note: Thank you to those who have written to let me know you enjoy reading my column but daren't take a lesson because there are parts you don't really understand. I assure you we'll always speak at a level which suits you so that we can enjoy a casual conversation. Also, we can go through words and sentences that are difficult so that we learn together. Perhaps, they will be easy then and we'll always have something to talk about. No stress!
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