This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at ECU chapter.

Book lovers are slowly becoming an endangered species. Why read when you could be on your laptop, watch TV, or do just about anything else that doesn’t require complete brainpower? However, changing interests aren’t the only things threatening books as we know them. Take for instance devices such as the Kindle, where you can just download books from home. But for the few of us out there that love books and having an actual hard copy in our hands, taking a trip to the local Barnes and Noble is basically like taking a day trip to paradise.

**“I need a new book.”**

You know full well you have about 10 books at home that you’ve been meaning to read, but you also can’t deny your book addiction.

“I could smell this all day.”

If this seems strange to you then you’ve clearly never been to a Barnes and Noble. You barely get both feet in the front door before you’re hit with the unique aroma of books. Why don’t they have this scent in a candle yet?

“Ok. I’m just here for the one book.”

You probably spent time on the Internet looking up books (yes, for fun) and dreaming about which one you’re going to buy next. While you might have a “specific” one in mind, you know that you don’t really know what you want until you’ve circulated the store a couple (dozen) times.

“Walk fast. Don’t look.”

The tables. The perfectly placed, perfectly organized tables that seem like God himself created for you. Best sellers, new releases, and dare I say it…sales. Spoiler alert: you stop and look every. single. time.

“I could really go for a cup of coffee right about now.”

Code for “I’ve picked up more books than I can afford and now I need to stall until one (or two) magically calls to me or I win the lottery.” Well, the Barnes and Noble Starbucks isn’t there for decoration!

**“How much can 5 books actually cost?”**

They’re just made of paper right? At least that’s what you tell yourself to avoid looking at the actual price.

“I should just leave. I have books I haven’t read yet at home.”

We all go through this stage at some point in our shopping process. It usually occurs around the same time you gain the courage to check the price of all your books. But we never actually dwell on this “reasonable” thought for more than a few minutes. You came here on a mission and you’re not leaving until it’s complete.

“Ok, I’ll just get this one.”

It looks like a great book and you know you’re dying to read it. But it’s hard to feel like you’re not losing a small piece of you as you put the other books in your hand down and walk to the cash register.

“I mean…but how much difference can ONE more book actually be.”

You barely complete this thought before running back to get another book from the pitiful pile you left behind.

“I need to stop doing this…but oh well!”

What you think when you see your total and hand the cashier your card. But you know, soon enough, you’ll be back and happily ready to go through the process again. Those books aren’t going to last forever you know!

The 10 Stages of Shopping at Barnes and Noble