Bad news from La Bonne Nouvelle

On June 20, 2009 La Bonne Nouvelle bookstore in Moncton closed after 75 years serving both the French and English evangelical communities. It surprised me; they were such a part of the evangelical community though it shouldn't have been unexpected. Christian bookstores have been closing all over Canada particularly since the collapse of major Canadian distributer R. G. Mitchell last year. They join the ranks of small bookstores of all stripe and persuasion some with even longer history (e.g. The Book Room) who just can't compete in the new economy. When I was a boy there were three evangelical christian bookstores within walking distance; alas now there is one (if I cared to walk that far!). I am left with the big box stores or online shopping. Been to the religion section at Chapters lately? Hey, there are good books there...if you know for what you seek. I think a diversity of viewpoints is healthy in a bookstore. But buddy those books together on the same shelf is like putting Oprah and Kierkengaard together and labelling it "philosophy!" Online shopping: there are good evangelical Christian sellers like CBD if you don't mind paying shipping/duty from the US. I tend to use booksites like CBD to search for titles and then go back to Chapters or Amazon to actually order (Sorry CBD).

In the digital age there is a need for new skills. The days of chatting with the knowledgeable bookseller/local expert between carefully stocked shelves is almost gone. The onus now is on you to find the best book for your needs. So how do you learn to become your own expert? Who teaches you those skills? Your church? Your pastor? Your local library? Oh, well...there is always Oprah's picks. Sigh....