So sad to hear that two of Waterstones' Irish branches are closing. I guess, if there is one, the silver lining is that they're not an(other) Irish business going into liquidation.

As great as Amazon (and its rivals) are, for me, nothing will ever beat the real life bookshop. I've always been a bookworm. And I guess I have my mother the bibliophile to thank for that.
When I was growing up, we would spend hours in bookshops together. I was rarely without a book, I remember reading under the covers with a torch, devouring books in the back of the car on long journeys, and the best, getting book vouchers for birthdays!!

That's why it's horrible to hear news about bookshops closing.
So for me it's independent bookshops, Irish book chains, and Charity shops.

Don't even get me started on the Kindle