年輕時看書的好地方 / A great spot for reading when I was younger

知識是有價的，但是隨著科技進步，人們學習知識的管道越來越多，而承載知識的媒介也不只限於書本了，不論是光碟片、教學影片或是電子書都可以成為承載知識的媒介，現在人們想要學習的話，只要在家中打開網站，就可以學習到各式各樣的知識，不過，我和很多人一樣，還是比較喜歡紙張的溫度，喜歡那種抱著一本書，坐在咖啡店，品味一下午的氛圍。

年輕時，想要找新資料時，最常去的是誠品書店，常常在那裏找個角落，看個幾本書，就能混一個下午，誠品書店是24小時營業的，幾乎所有的書店都是晚上9點就關店，有次，我臨時需要一本專業的工具書，課堂上要用的，好死不死，家附近的書店都太小了，販賣的工具書都不是我需要的，專業的書店絕對有賣，但是已經關門了，在網路上找網路商城，雖然有看到滿意的，但不知道何時才會送到，可能緩不濟急，最後，想了半天，決定去誠品書店試看看，最後，在凌晨2點時，我才在誠品書店找到合意的工具書，讓我交差。

在信義區的這家誠品，在信義區駐足了18個年頭，但是即將在這個月熄燈，很多人，包括我都覺得好可惜，信義區本來就是個夜生活很熱鬧的地方，誠品書店的存在，為夜生活帶了點文青風，有些人猜想是因為實體書店虧損太大、不過，後來誠品書店的新聞稿提到的是，房東打算在合約年滿後，把建物收回自用，因此無法再出租，其實，前幾週，誠品書店就陸陸續續推出熄燈活動，像是在三樓設置的信義18年回顧展等，而我也和朋友在其幾週約在這裡碰面聚餐，順便在這逛了一圈，誠品的風格就是這樣，巧妙地把知識文化及品味生活串聯起來。

今年，特別是在後疫情時代，在宣告疫情正式結束後，大家應該開心，不過，因為經濟狀況太差，很多大大小小餐廳都選擇結束營業，沒想到連誠品書店也熄燈了，當天，誠品書店前廣場聚集大批民眾，大家倒數拍下熄燈瞬間，共同見證歷史性的一刻，我則是因為太冷了，還是決定躲在家中，但是我的精神與現場的民眾同在，哈。

Knowledge is valuable, and with technological advancements, there are numerous ways for people to acquire knowledge. The mediums for knowledge delivery have expanded beyond books to include CDs, instructional videos, or ebooks. Nowadays, anyone can learn from the comfort of their home by simply accessing a website and gaining a variety of knowledge. However, like many others, I still prefer the warmth of paper. I enjoy holding a physical book, sitting in a coffee shop, and savoring the atmosphere for an entire afternoon.

In my younger days, when I sought new information, Eslite Bookstore was my go-to place. I would often find a corner, browse through a few books, and spend a whole afternoon there. Eslite Bookstore operates 24 hours, unlike most other bookstores that close at 9 PM. Once, I urgently needed a specific technical manual for a class, and the nearby bookstores didn't have what I needed. Specialized bookstores definitely carried it, but they were already closed. Although I found suitable options online, the uncertainty of delivery time made me hesitate. In the end, I decided to try Eslite Bookstore and, to my surprise, found the required toolbook at 2 AM, allowing me to meet my deadline.

Eslite Bookstore in the Xinyi District, which has been a prominent presence for 18 years, is sadly closing this month. Many, including myself, find it regrettable. Xinyi is known for its vibrant nightlife, and Eslite added a touch of cultural sophistication to the night scene. There were speculations about financial losses, but the official statement mentioned the landlord reclaiming the building for personal use after the contract expires. In the weeks leading up to the closure, Eslite organized events like the Xinyi 18 Years Retrospective Exhibition on the third floor. I met friends there, and we had a meal while exploring the place. Eslite seamlessly intertwined knowledge, culture, and lifestyle.

This year, especially in the post-pandemic era, the announcement of the end of the pandemic should have brought joy. However, due to poor economic conditions, many restaurants, big and small, chose to close down. Unexpectedly, Eslite Bookstore also turned off its lights. On that day, a large crowd gathered in front of the bookstore, counting down and capturing the moment of lights out. I chose to stay warm at home that day, but my spirit was with the people on the scene, haha.