Apparently, that’s what Books-A-Million is now calling itself (BAM – Books-A–Million).

But one opened in the spot where the old Borders used to be, next to Jo-Ann Fabrics in Columbia, Maryland.

I used to often go there when my better half would need to buy fabric next door, killing time in the cafe and reading some lit mag or what not. I was pretty sad when it left.

But I’m glad there’s another bookstore there, but it’s also a little creepy. The selection is a little smaller and a little less challenging. Less poetry and fewer books by lesser known poets. No literary journals. No classical music CDs. And no philosophy section. But things were generally in the same area of the store as they were when it was a Borders. A pale, platonic shadow of the departed place (even the bookshelves are similar, but not quite exactly what Borders had).

Nonetheless, I so glad it’s there. It’s never amiss to find a bookstore present where you thought there were none.