I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. -Jorge Luis Borges
I've been exploring the world of e-books lately, reading a few books on my Kindle, and yes…there is a lovely convenience to this whole e-book thing. Yet I remain a total book lover–no amount of convenience is going to change that. What I want, along with a good read, is the aesthetic of the book as object. Recently I had a conversation with a friend who loves reading and stories, but isn't much of a bibliophile – and is convinced that electronic books will soon be taking over, and that books in bookstores and even libraries are eventually on their way out. OK, I get the efficiency and convenience and the staggering knowledge base that can be contained in a flat plastic thing with a screen (and I get that I could carry hundreds of books in my purse this way)… but — to the frustration of my techie-minded and forward-thinking friend — there is nothing like a real book.
I love the art of the thing, the texture, the smell of ink and paper and board, even suede and leather; I want the immensely satisfying visual and tactile reality of the book. I love seeing thousands of books crammed in bookshelves — I love the sight of them, the color, texture and design, and the way that an infinity of thoughts, facts and imagination can surround us all at once in a room full of books. I love bookstores–and that absolute paradise of books, the library.
So here you go, let's take a break here on the blog and go for a stroll through a paradise of libraries full of books, from the oldest (the legendary library of Alexandria) to libraries we can use today. Set aside your e-reader, set down your paperback, enlarge the blog perimeters on your screen, and just enjoy. A picture's worth thousands of words, books, and thoughts …
Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.
– Henry Ward Beecher
The ancient Library of Alexandria
Chained medieval books in Hereford Castle
The Bodeian Library, Oxford
Trinity College Library, Dublin
Dunrobin Castle, Scotland
Castle Hill, Prague
Library of Congress, Washington DC
Garrett Library, Evergreen Museum, Baltimore
Are you a dedicated bibliophile, or have e-books won you over? Or do you have a foot planted firmly in each world? Do you think libraries (and bookshelves crammed with books) will never disappear, or do you foresee a future filled with gorgeously appointed mahogany-shelved libraries filled with sleek plastic and silicone e-readers?
Susan, whose real book, Queen Hereafter, will be available in real and cyber bookstores and in e-book form in December!
Susan, thank you for your wonderful post! As the mother of a teenaged girl who loves to read, I’ll admit I’m grateful for the lower price of e-books, but as an avid reader since birth (or nearly) I firmly believe there will always be room for print books. I love the smell of a new book fresh from the bookstore, but even more wonderful is that of aged books from the library, precious gems.
Thanks, too, for the picture of the Trinity College Library. I visited Trinity in 2009, and can’t wait to go back!
Susan, thank you for your wonderful post! As the mother of a teenaged girl who loves to read, I’ll admit I’m grateful for the lower price of e-books, but as an avid reader since birth (or nearly) I firmly believe there will always be room for print books. I love the smell of a new book fresh from the bookstore, but even more wonderful is that of aged books from the library, precious gems.
Thanks, too, for the picture of the Trinity College Library. I visited Trinity in 2009, and can’t wait to go back!
Susan, thank you for your wonderful post! As the mother of a teenaged girl who loves to read, I’ll admit I’m grateful for the lower price of e-books, but as an avid reader since birth (or nearly) I firmly believe there will always be room for print books. I love the smell of a new book fresh from the bookstore, but even more wonderful is that of aged books from the library, precious gems.
Thanks, too, for the picture of the Trinity College Library. I visited Trinity in 2009, and can’t wait to go back!
Susan, thank you for your wonderful post! As the mother of a teenaged girl who loves to read, I’ll admit I’m grateful for the lower price of e-books, but as an avid reader since birth (or nearly) I firmly believe there will always be room for print books. I love the smell of a new book fresh from the bookstore, but even more wonderful is that of aged books from the library, precious gems.
Thanks, too, for the picture of the Trinity College Library. I visited Trinity in 2009, and can’t wait to go back!
Susan, thank you for your wonderful post! As the mother of a teenaged girl who loves to read, I’ll admit I’m grateful for the lower price of e-books, but as an avid reader since birth (or nearly) I firmly believe there will always be room for print books. I love the smell of a new book fresh from the bookstore, but even more wonderful is that of aged books from the library, precious gems.
Thanks, too, for the picture of the Trinity College Library. I visited Trinity in 2009, and can’t wait to go back!
I love books, in any way, manner or form. I’ve always loved the library because I love books. If I could take out the whole library, I would.
While I love the ambiance of libraries and the sheer volume of books, the libraries I have access to don’t have all the books I want to read. Thanks to inter-library loans, I can now get more books, but still not all the ones I want. So, let the ebooks come on! I want the backlist of authors I love (hint, hint, Susan) that I can’t find anywhere.
If your books aren’t going into print again, please, please, please! put them into eformat. You’ll make some money in royalties, and I’ll get the books I want. I bought nine ebooks last night, Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. Yes, they were on sale, but I bought them! I’m not sure if I would have bought them if they were in paper.
I usually read lying down on the couch. I can read both a paper book and an ebook that way. They must have had me in mind when they thought up ebooks. *g*
I love books, in any way, manner or form. I’ve always loved the library because I love books. If I could take out the whole library, I would.
While I love the ambiance of libraries and the sheer volume of books, the libraries I have access to don’t have all the books I want to read. Thanks to inter-library loans, I can now get more books, but still not all the ones I want. So, let the ebooks come on! I want the backlist of authors I love (hint, hint, Susan) that I can’t find anywhere.
If your books aren’t going into print again, please, please, please! put them into eformat. You’ll make some money in royalties, and I’ll get the books I want. I bought nine ebooks last night, Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. Yes, they were on sale, but I bought them! I’m not sure if I would have bought them if they were in paper.
I usually read lying down on the couch. I can read both a paper book and an ebook that way. They must have had me in mind when they thought up ebooks. *g*
I love books, in any way, manner or form. I’ve always loved the library because I love books. If I could take out the whole library, I would.
While I love the ambiance of libraries and the sheer volume of books, the libraries I have access to don’t have all the books I want to read. Thanks to inter-library loans, I can now get more books, but still not all the ones I want. So, let the ebooks come on! I want the backlist of authors I love (hint, hint, Susan) that I can’t find anywhere.
If your books aren’t going into print again, please, please, please! put them into eformat. You’ll make some money in royalties, and I’ll get the books I want. I bought nine ebooks last night, Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. Yes, they were on sale, but I bought them! I’m not sure if I would have bought them if they were in paper.
I usually read lying down on the couch. I can read both a paper book and an ebook that way. They must have had me in mind when they thought up ebooks. *g*
I love books, in any way, manner or form. I’ve always loved the library because I love books. If I could take out the whole library, I would.
While I love the ambiance of libraries and the sheer volume of books, the libraries I have access to don’t have all the books I want to read. Thanks to inter-library loans, I can now get more books, but still not all the ones I want. So, let the ebooks come on! I want the backlist of authors I love (hint, hint, Susan) that I can’t find anywhere.
If your books aren’t going into print again, please, please, please! put them into eformat. You’ll make some money in royalties, and I’ll get the books I want. I bought nine ebooks last night, Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. Yes, they were on sale, but I bought them! I’m not sure if I would have bought them if they were in paper.
I usually read lying down on the couch. I can read both a paper book and an ebook that way. They must have had me in mind when they thought up ebooks. *g*
I love books, in any way, manner or form. I’ve always loved the library because I love books. If I could take out the whole library, I would.
While I love the ambiance of libraries and the sheer volume of books, the libraries I have access to don’t have all the books I want to read. Thanks to inter-library loans, I can now get more books, but still not all the ones I want. So, let the ebooks come on! I want the backlist of authors I love (hint, hint, Susan) that I can’t find anywhere.
If your books aren’t going into print again, please, please, please! put them into eformat. You’ll make some money in royalties, and I’ll get the books I want. I bought nine ebooks last night, Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. Yes, they were on sale, but I bought them! I’m not sure if I would have bought them if they were in paper.
I usually read lying down on the couch. I can read both a paper book and an ebook that way. They must have had me in mind when they thought up ebooks. *g*
I love the smell and feel of books too, and I want my keepers in paper on my shelves–even those I read first as ebooks. I think the great libraries with their countless shelves of books will always be with us. I’m not so sure about the smaller,local libraries surviving in the form we’ve known them. My local library has had its budget slashed from $.60 per patron to $.19 per patron, and most of the people I see there are using library computers or WiFi on laptops rather than checking out books.
I began requiring my students to use a minimum number of paper sources for research assignments just to get them inside the university library, a research library with vast paper resources. Otherwise, their research would be limited to sources in electronic databases that they can access from their dorm rooms and apartments. I confess that I too love the convenience of these databases, but I don’t want to see them replace the stacks.
I love the smell and feel of books too, and I want my keepers in paper on my shelves–even those I read first as ebooks. I think the great libraries with their countless shelves of books will always be with us. I’m not so sure about the smaller,local libraries surviving in the form we’ve known them. My local library has had its budget slashed from $.60 per patron to $.19 per patron, and most of the people I see there are using library computers or WiFi on laptops rather than checking out books.
I began requiring my students to use a minimum number of paper sources for research assignments just to get them inside the university library, a research library with vast paper resources. Otherwise, their research would be limited to sources in electronic databases that they can access from their dorm rooms and apartments. I confess that I too love the convenience of these databases, but I don’t want to see them replace the stacks.
I love the smell and feel of books too, and I want my keepers in paper on my shelves–even those I read first as ebooks. I think the great libraries with their countless shelves of books will always be with us. I’m not so sure about the smaller,local libraries surviving in the form we’ve known them. My local library has had its budget slashed from $.60 per patron to $.19 per patron, and most of the people I see there are using library computers or WiFi on laptops rather than checking out books.
I began requiring my students to use a minimum number of paper sources for research assignments just to get them inside the university library, a research library with vast paper resources. Otherwise, their research would be limited to sources in electronic databases that they can access from their dorm rooms and apartments. I confess that I too love the convenience of these databases, but I don’t want to see them replace the stacks.
I love the smell and feel of books too, and I want my keepers in paper on my shelves–even those I read first as ebooks. I think the great libraries with their countless shelves of books will always be with us. I’m not so sure about the smaller,local libraries surviving in the form we’ve known them. My local library has had its budget slashed from $.60 per patron to $.19 per patron, and most of the people I see there are using library computers or WiFi on laptops rather than checking out books.
I began requiring my students to use a minimum number of paper sources for research assignments just to get them inside the university library, a research library with vast paper resources. Otherwise, their research would be limited to sources in electronic databases that they can access from their dorm rooms and apartments. I confess that I too love the convenience of these databases, but I don’t want to see them replace the stacks.
I love the smell and feel of books too, and I want my keepers in paper on my shelves–even those I read first as ebooks. I think the great libraries with their countless shelves of books will always be with us. I’m not so sure about the smaller,local libraries surviving in the form we’ve known them. My local library has had its budget slashed from $.60 per patron to $.19 per patron, and most of the people I see there are using library computers or WiFi on laptops rather than checking out books.
I began requiring my students to use a minimum number of paper sources for research assignments just to get them inside the university library, a research library with vast paper resources. Otherwise, their research would be limited to sources in electronic databases that they can access from their dorm rooms and apartments. I confess that I too love the convenience of these databases, but I don’t want to see them replace the stacks.
I love love love my Kindle. It has a leather cover that opens like a ‘real’ book and provides the tactile experience. It’s wonderful to know I will never be without something to read – even though I might have selected a dud or two – because I’m carrying my entire TBR pile with me.
The only thing I miss with the Kindle is not being able to pass a book along. It seems to me that I should be able to relinquish and bequeath the electronic book license to someone else – much the same way you would hand off a paper book.
Oh, and not being able to read during takeoffs and landings… but the inflight magazine is usually just long enough.
I love love love my Kindle. It has a leather cover that opens like a ‘real’ book and provides the tactile experience. It’s wonderful to know I will never be without something to read – even though I might have selected a dud or two – because I’m carrying my entire TBR pile with me.
The only thing I miss with the Kindle is not being able to pass a book along. It seems to me that I should be able to relinquish and bequeath the electronic book license to someone else – much the same way you would hand off a paper book.
Oh, and not being able to read during takeoffs and landings… but the inflight magazine is usually just long enough.
I love love love my Kindle. It has a leather cover that opens like a ‘real’ book and provides the tactile experience. It’s wonderful to know I will never be without something to read – even though I might have selected a dud or two – because I’m carrying my entire TBR pile with me.
The only thing I miss with the Kindle is not being able to pass a book along. It seems to me that I should be able to relinquish and bequeath the electronic book license to someone else – much the same way you would hand off a paper book.
Oh, and not being able to read during takeoffs and landings… but the inflight magazine is usually just long enough.
I love love love my Kindle. It has a leather cover that opens like a ‘real’ book and provides the tactile experience. It’s wonderful to know I will never be without something to read – even though I might have selected a dud or two – because I’m carrying my entire TBR pile with me.
The only thing I miss with the Kindle is not being able to pass a book along. It seems to me that I should be able to relinquish and bequeath the electronic book license to someone else – much the same way you would hand off a paper book.
Oh, and not being able to read during takeoffs and landings… but the inflight magazine is usually just long enough.
I love love love my Kindle. It has a leather cover that opens like a ‘real’ book and provides the tactile experience. It’s wonderful to know I will never be without something to read – even though I might have selected a dud or two – because I’m carrying my entire TBR pile with me.
The only thing I miss with the Kindle is not being able to pass a book along. It seems to me that I should be able to relinquish and bequeath the electronic book license to someone else – much the same way you would hand off a paper book.
Oh, and not being able to read during takeoffs and landings… but the inflight magazine is usually just long enough.
I love books, my favorite thing is going into a used bookstore and searching through acers of books. Its in the smell and touch and turning of the pages. I am however intrigued by the e-book convenience and the amount of room they DON’T take up in my luggage. I think I will always be hard copy book first but if they slowly go away, I will always stick with whatever will tell me the stories I love!
I love books, my favorite thing is going into a used bookstore and searching through acers of books. Its in the smell and touch and turning of the pages. I am however intrigued by the e-book convenience and the amount of room they DON’T take up in my luggage. I think I will always be hard copy book first but if they slowly go away, I will always stick with whatever will tell me the stories I love!
I love books, my favorite thing is going into a used bookstore and searching through acers of books. Its in the smell and touch and turning of the pages. I am however intrigued by the e-book convenience and the amount of room they DON’T take up in my luggage. I think I will always be hard copy book first but if they slowly go away, I will always stick with whatever will tell me the stories I love!
I love books, my favorite thing is going into a used bookstore and searching through acers of books. Its in the smell and touch and turning of the pages. I am however intrigued by the e-book convenience and the amount of room they DON’T take up in my luggage. I think I will always be hard copy book first but if they slowly go away, I will always stick with whatever will tell me the stories I love!
I love books, my favorite thing is going into a used bookstore and searching through acers of books. Its in the smell and touch and turning of the pages. I am however intrigued by the e-book convenience and the amount of room they DON’T take up in my luggage. I think I will always be hard copy book first but if they slowly go away, I will always stick with whatever will tell me the stories I love!
I think there’s a lot to agree with on both sides of this – but personally, I don’t usually choose my reading based on other people’s recommendations. I need to pick up and handle the book, get a feel for the author’s voice – even the size of the font will tell me something about whether I’ll enjoy it. (And no, bigger isn’t better.) The physical object is integral to how I understand books. I flip back and forth to check the copyright, I look for maps or double-check to make sure I didn’t misread a key word in the scene two pages back. And often, the sight of the cover is enough to prompt a fourth or fifth reread of an old favorite. Guess I come down on the side of real books after all…
I think there’s a lot to agree with on both sides of this – but personally, I don’t usually choose my reading based on other people’s recommendations. I need to pick up and handle the book, get a feel for the author’s voice – even the size of the font will tell me something about whether I’ll enjoy it. (And no, bigger isn’t better.) The physical object is integral to how I understand books. I flip back and forth to check the copyright, I look for maps or double-check to make sure I didn’t misread a key word in the scene two pages back. And often, the sight of the cover is enough to prompt a fourth or fifth reread of an old favorite. Guess I come down on the side of real books after all…
I think there’s a lot to agree with on both sides of this – but personally, I don’t usually choose my reading based on other people’s recommendations. I need to pick up and handle the book, get a feel for the author’s voice – even the size of the font will tell me something about whether I’ll enjoy it. (And no, bigger isn’t better.) The physical object is integral to how I understand books. I flip back and forth to check the copyright, I look for maps or double-check to make sure I didn’t misread a key word in the scene two pages back. And often, the sight of the cover is enough to prompt a fourth or fifth reread of an old favorite. Guess I come down on the side of real books after all…
I think there’s a lot to agree with on both sides of this – but personally, I don’t usually choose my reading based on other people’s recommendations. I need to pick up and handle the book, get a feel for the author’s voice – even the size of the font will tell me something about whether I’ll enjoy it. (And no, bigger isn’t better.) The physical object is integral to how I understand books. I flip back and forth to check the copyright, I look for maps or double-check to make sure I didn’t misread a key word in the scene two pages back. And often, the sight of the cover is enough to prompt a fourth or fifth reread of an old favorite. Guess I come down on the side of real books after all…
I think there’s a lot to agree with on both sides of this – but personally, I don’t usually choose my reading based on other people’s recommendations. I need to pick up and handle the book, get a feel for the author’s voice – even the size of the font will tell me something about whether I’ll enjoy it. (And no, bigger isn’t better.) The physical object is integral to how I understand books. I flip back and forth to check the copyright, I look for maps or double-check to make sure I didn’t misread a key word in the scene two pages back. And often, the sight of the cover is enough to prompt a fourth or fifth reread of an old favorite. Guess I come down on the side of real books after all…
Thank you for the photos of libraries. Recently visited Chatsworth, and my favorite room was the library.
There are benefits to both e-books and print books. I just came back from a trip to England and loved leaving behind the books I’d read as evidence I’d been there, rather like Hansel and Gretel and their trail of breadcrumbs. Several of the books went to the Oxfam bookshop near the British Museum, so I liked the fact that I was both sharing my reading and supporting an excellent charity. OTOH, not lugging around so much excess weight in books (altho considerably lighter on the return) would have been a Good Thing.
One complaint about e-readers other than the iPad is that they are in black and white only. I read books with graphs and maps and artwork, and much of the information doesn’t relay in B/W.
BTW, if you love books as objects, definitely visit the British Library in London. Saw the Magna Carta and many, many beautiful books on exhibit.
Thank you for the photos of libraries. Recently visited Chatsworth, and my favorite room was the library.
There are benefits to both e-books and print books. I just came back from a trip to England and loved leaving behind the books I’d read as evidence I’d been there, rather like Hansel and Gretel and their trail of breadcrumbs. Several of the books went to the Oxfam bookshop near the British Museum, so I liked the fact that I was both sharing my reading and supporting an excellent charity. OTOH, not lugging around so much excess weight in books (altho considerably lighter on the return) would have been a Good Thing.
One complaint about e-readers other than the iPad is that they are in black and white only. I read books with graphs and maps and artwork, and much of the information doesn’t relay in B/W.
BTW, if you love books as objects, definitely visit the British Library in London. Saw the Magna Carta and many, many beautiful books on exhibit.
Thank you for the photos of libraries. Recently visited Chatsworth, and my favorite room was the library.
There are benefits to both e-books and print books. I just came back from a trip to England and loved leaving behind the books I’d read as evidence I’d been there, rather like Hansel and Gretel and their trail of breadcrumbs. Several of the books went to the Oxfam bookshop near the British Museum, so I liked the fact that I was both sharing my reading and supporting an excellent charity. OTOH, not lugging around so much excess weight in books (altho considerably lighter on the return) would have been a Good Thing.
One complaint about e-readers other than the iPad is that they are in black and white only. I read books with graphs and maps and artwork, and much of the information doesn’t relay in B/W.
BTW, if you love books as objects, definitely visit the British Library in London. Saw the Magna Carta and many, many beautiful books on exhibit.
Thank you for the photos of libraries. Recently visited Chatsworth, and my favorite room was the library.
There are benefits to both e-books and print books. I just came back from a trip to England and loved leaving behind the books I’d read as evidence I’d been there, rather like Hansel and Gretel and their trail of breadcrumbs. Several of the books went to the Oxfam bookshop near the British Museum, so I liked the fact that I was both sharing my reading and supporting an excellent charity. OTOH, not lugging around so much excess weight in books (altho considerably lighter on the return) would have been a Good Thing.
One complaint about e-readers other than the iPad is that they are in black and white only. I read books with graphs and maps and artwork, and much of the information doesn’t relay in B/W.
BTW, if you love books as objects, definitely visit the British Library in London. Saw the Magna Carta and many, many beautiful books on exhibit.
Thank you for the photos of libraries. Recently visited Chatsworth, and my favorite room was the library.
There are benefits to both e-books and print books. I just came back from a trip to England and loved leaving behind the books I’d read as evidence I’d been there, rather like Hansel and Gretel and their trail of breadcrumbs. Several of the books went to the Oxfam bookshop near the British Museum, so I liked the fact that I was both sharing my reading and supporting an excellent charity. OTOH, not lugging around so much excess weight in books (altho considerably lighter on the return) would have been a Good Thing.
One complaint about e-readers other than the iPad is that they are in black and white only. I read books with graphs and maps and artwork, and much of the information doesn’t relay in B/W.
BTW, if you love books as objects, definitely visit the British Library in London. Saw the Magna Carta and many, many beautiful books on exhibit.
If they eliminate DRM, then it will be ebooks and no looking back. Print books will be gift editions, special art projects etc. Or very disposable editions such as they issued WW2 soldiers for their packs.
For me, ebooks have been a miracle. My eyesight was damaged during medical treatments and at 39 I was left needing large print books. My reading world narrowed considerably. My brother is currently undergoing procedures to recover his sight from diabetic retinopathy (he is 35) and without the scaleable fonts of an e-reader we’d not be readers anymore. The compute screen isn’t suitable for long term reading, so these e-ink screens designed for this purpose are so welcome.
As far as the feel and smell of books – I could lay the disadvantages out there as well, but I don’t want to knock anyone’s kink. My point is that e-reading, while being mishandled by the industry in many ways, is a boon on the level of Gutenberg inventing the press for a wide number of disabled or partially disabled readers.
I sent my homebound aunt a Kindle. Now she can have any book she wants, and when she is too tired to read, her Kindle reads to her (on books that permit that). Bro and I rock a Sony 505 each.
If they eliminate DRM, then it will be ebooks and no looking back. Print books will be gift editions, special art projects etc. Or very disposable editions such as they issued WW2 soldiers for their packs.
For me, ebooks have been a miracle. My eyesight was damaged during medical treatments and at 39 I was left needing large print books. My reading world narrowed considerably. My brother is currently undergoing procedures to recover his sight from diabetic retinopathy (he is 35) and without the scaleable fonts of an e-reader we’d not be readers anymore. The compute screen isn’t suitable for long term reading, so these e-ink screens designed for this purpose are so welcome.
As far as the feel and smell of books – I could lay the disadvantages out there as well, but I don’t want to knock anyone’s kink. My point is that e-reading, while being mishandled by the industry in many ways, is a boon on the level of Gutenberg inventing the press for a wide number of disabled or partially disabled readers.
I sent my homebound aunt a Kindle. Now she can have any book she wants, and when she is too tired to read, her Kindle reads to her (on books that permit that). Bro and I rock a Sony 505 each.
If they eliminate DRM, then it will be ebooks and no looking back. Print books will be gift editions, special art projects etc. Or very disposable editions such as they issued WW2 soldiers for their packs.
For me, ebooks have been a miracle. My eyesight was damaged during medical treatments and at 39 I was left needing large print books. My reading world narrowed considerably. My brother is currently undergoing procedures to recover his sight from diabetic retinopathy (he is 35) and without the scaleable fonts of an e-reader we’d not be readers anymore. The compute screen isn’t suitable for long term reading, so these e-ink screens designed for this purpose are so welcome.
As far as the feel and smell of books – I could lay the disadvantages out there as well, but I don’t want to knock anyone’s kink. My point is that e-reading, while being mishandled by the industry in many ways, is a boon on the level of Gutenberg inventing the press for a wide number of disabled or partially disabled readers.
I sent my homebound aunt a Kindle. Now she can have any book she wants, and when she is too tired to read, her Kindle reads to her (on books that permit that). Bro and I rock a Sony 505 each.
If they eliminate DRM, then it will be ebooks and no looking back. Print books will be gift editions, special art projects etc. Or very disposable editions such as they issued WW2 soldiers for their packs.
For me, ebooks have been a miracle. My eyesight was damaged during medical treatments and at 39 I was left needing large print books. My reading world narrowed considerably. My brother is currently undergoing procedures to recover his sight from diabetic retinopathy (he is 35) and without the scaleable fonts of an e-reader we’d not be readers anymore. The compute screen isn’t suitable for long term reading, so these e-ink screens designed for this purpose are so welcome.
As far as the feel and smell of books – I could lay the disadvantages out there as well, but I don’t want to knock anyone’s kink. My point is that e-reading, while being mishandled by the industry in many ways, is a boon on the level of Gutenberg inventing the press for a wide number of disabled or partially disabled readers.
I sent my homebound aunt a Kindle. Now she can have any book she wants, and when she is too tired to read, her Kindle reads to her (on books that permit that). Bro and I rock a Sony 505 each.
If they eliminate DRM, then it will be ebooks and no looking back. Print books will be gift editions, special art projects etc. Or very disposable editions such as they issued WW2 soldiers for their packs.
For me, ebooks have been a miracle. My eyesight was damaged during medical treatments and at 39 I was left needing large print books. My reading world narrowed considerably. My brother is currently undergoing procedures to recover his sight from diabetic retinopathy (he is 35) and without the scaleable fonts of an e-reader we’d not be readers anymore. The compute screen isn’t suitable for long term reading, so these e-ink screens designed for this purpose are so welcome.
As far as the feel and smell of books – I could lay the disadvantages out there as well, but I don’t want to knock anyone’s kink. My point is that e-reading, while being mishandled by the industry in many ways, is a boon on the level of Gutenberg inventing the press for a wide number of disabled or partially disabled readers.
I sent my homebound aunt a Kindle. Now she can have any book she wants, and when she is too tired to read, her Kindle reads to her (on books that permit that). Bro and I rock a Sony 505 each.
Susan, you’ve come to the right place for book lovers. Those libraries…!!!! Be still, my heart.
I’m hoping that we’ll have multiple formats–pring and e-reader–for a long time to come. I prefer print, but there’s a LOT to be said for an e-reader on vacation!
Susan, you’ve come to the right place for book lovers. Those libraries…!!!! Be still, my heart.
I’m hoping that we’ll have multiple formats–pring and e-reader–for a long time to come. I prefer print, but there’s a LOT to be said for an e-reader on vacation!
Susan, you’ve come to the right place for book lovers. Those libraries…!!!! Be still, my heart.
I’m hoping that we’ll have multiple formats–pring and e-reader–for a long time to come. I prefer print, but there’s a LOT to be said for an e-reader on vacation!
Susan, you’ve come to the right place for book lovers. Those libraries…!!!! Be still, my heart.
I’m hoping that we’ll have multiple formats–pring and e-reader–for a long time to come. I prefer print, but there’s a LOT to be said for an e-reader on vacation!
Susan, you’ve come to the right place for book lovers. Those libraries…!!!! Be still, my heart.
I’m hoping that we’ll have multiple formats–pring and e-reader–for a long time to come. I prefer print, but there’s a LOT to be said for an e-reader on vacation!
Love the comments! Not surprising that readers of Word Wenches lean a bit more to the side of the real, the lovely, the irreplaceable book — though the e-book is earning its place as well. And for those who are interested (hi Linda!)we’re working on getting some of my earliest titles into e-reader formats! More to come on that, and you’ll no doubt hear similar news from other Wenches too.
Susan
Love the comments! Not surprising that readers of Word Wenches lean a bit more to the side of the real, the lovely, the irreplaceable book — though the e-book is earning its place as well. And for those who are interested (hi Linda!)we’re working on getting some of my earliest titles into e-reader formats! More to come on that, and you’ll no doubt hear similar news from other Wenches too.
Susan
Love the comments! Not surprising that readers of Word Wenches lean a bit more to the side of the real, the lovely, the irreplaceable book — though the e-book is earning its place as well. And for those who are interested (hi Linda!)we’re working on getting some of my earliest titles into e-reader formats! More to come on that, and you’ll no doubt hear similar news from other Wenches too.
Susan
Love the comments! Not surprising that readers of Word Wenches lean a bit more to the side of the real, the lovely, the irreplaceable book — though the e-book is earning its place as well. And for those who are interested (hi Linda!)we’re working on getting some of my earliest titles into e-reader formats! More to come on that, and you’ll no doubt hear similar news from other Wenches too.
Susan
Love the comments! Not surprising that readers of Word Wenches lean a bit more to the side of the real, the lovely, the irreplaceable book — though the e-book is earning its place as well. And for those who are interested (hi Linda!)we’re working on getting some of my earliest titles into e-reader formats! More to come on that, and you’ll no doubt hear similar news from other Wenches too.
Susan
I am afraid my Luddite heart simply cannot embrace the eBook revolution. I am sure I may be forced to at some time, but I LOVE books. I love the weight of them in my hand. I love the feel and shape of them. The turning of the pages as the stories unfold is one of my earliest and most profound memories. I own several Regency research books that were published during the Regency or Victorian eras and they are works of art in my eyes.
There are bookshelves in every room of my home. I walk by them and see the titles there and I am never alone. They inhabit my house like family, tangible memories of each first reading and each reading after that. They have comforted me in sorrow or loneliness. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have taught me, led me and made me think.
Much as I have tried I cannot wax romantic about an electronic device. Hand me a leather bound volume of Byron published in England while he was still alive and I can hear an entire symphony.
I am afraid my Luddite heart simply cannot embrace the eBook revolution. I am sure I may be forced to at some time, but I LOVE books. I love the weight of them in my hand. I love the feel and shape of them. The turning of the pages as the stories unfold is one of my earliest and most profound memories. I own several Regency research books that were published during the Regency or Victorian eras and they are works of art in my eyes.
There are bookshelves in every room of my home. I walk by them and see the titles there and I am never alone. They inhabit my house like family, tangible memories of each first reading and each reading after that. They have comforted me in sorrow or loneliness. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have taught me, led me and made me think.
Much as I have tried I cannot wax romantic about an electronic device. Hand me a leather bound volume of Byron published in England while he was still alive and I can hear an entire symphony.
I am afraid my Luddite heart simply cannot embrace the eBook revolution. I am sure I may be forced to at some time, but I LOVE books. I love the weight of them in my hand. I love the feel and shape of them. The turning of the pages as the stories unfold is one of my earliest and most profound memories. I own several Regency research books that were published during the Regency or Victorian eras and they are works of art in my eyes.
There are bookshelves in every room of my home. I walk by them and see the titles there and I am never alone. They inhabit my house like family, tangible memories of each first reading and each reading after that. They have comforted me in sorrow or loneliness. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have taught me, led me and made me think.
Much as I have tried I cannot wax romantic about an electronic device. Hand me a leather bound volume of Byron published in England while he was still alive and I can hear an entire symphony.
I am afraid my Luddite heart simply cannot embrace the eBook revolution. I am sure I may be forced to at some time, but I LOVE books. I love the weight of them in my hand. I love the feel and shape of them. The turning of the pages as the stories unfold is one of my earliest and most profound memories. I own several Regency research books that were published during the Regency or Victorian eras and they are works of art in my eyes.
There are bookshelves in every room of my home. I walk by them and see the titles there and I am never alone. They inhabit my house like family, tangible memories of each first reading and each reading after that. They have comforted me in sorrow or loneliness. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have taught me, led me and made me think.
Much as I have tried I cannot wax romantic about an electronic device. Hand me a leather bound volume of Byron published in England while he was still alive and I can hear an entire symphony.
I am afraid my Luddite heart simply cannot embrace the eBook revolution. I am sure I may be forced to at some time, but I LOVE books. I love the weight of them in my hand. I love the feel and shape of them. The turning of the pages as the stories unfold is one of my earliest and most profound memories. I own several Regency research books that were published during the Regency or Victorian eras and they are works of art in my eyes.
There are bookshelves in every room of my home. I walk by them and see the titles there and I am never alone. They inhabit my house like family, tangible memories of each first reading and each reading after that. They have comforted me in sorrow or loneliness. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have taught me, led me and made me think.
Much as I have tried I cannot wax romantic about an electronic device. Hand me a leather bound volume of Byron published in England while he was still alive and I can hear an entire symphony.
An e-book fan here, speaking with the zeal of the newly converted!
I bought a Nook at the end of June and since then all my book buying has been e-format (just slightly less than 200 books to date–quite a few of them free titles). That’s a lot of books that aren’t sitting in grocery sacks next to my bed (or, let’s be honest, in tall tilting piles) waiting for the bookcases I will buy “soon” (soon meaning maybe never?).
I love being able to buy what I want, when I want, and to get it immediately (Pat Rice, I officially fell in love with the e-reader when I downloaded one of your “Magic” books from the back seat of my car while going 60 mph down I-5).
The Nook has changed the way I read, too–I believe for the better. You see, I am one of those awful people who always obsessively reads the last page first, or skips ahead and reads a few chapters before going back. That’s much harder to do in an e-book–so I am reading in a much more linear way and am having a much more absorbing/suspenseful experience now than ever before. In addition, now no one can tell what I am reading and I no longer suffer the public embarrassment of the clinch cover.
I have always enjoyed libraries–but I must confess that these days (I am getting older!) all that dust and old paper gives me sinus headaches and sneezes.
Thank you for a great topic, Susan/Sarah–and I’m waiting with bated breath for all of your backlist titles!
An e-book fan here, speaking with the zeal of the newly converted!
I bought a Nook at the end of June and since then all my book buying has been e-format (just slightly less than 200 books to date–quite a few of them free titles). That’s a lot of books that aren’t sitting in grocery sacks next to my bed (or, let’s be honest, in tall tilting piles) waiting for the bookcases I will buy “soon” (soon meaning maybe never?).
I love being able to buy what I want, when I want, and to get it immediately (Pat Rice, I officially fell in love with the e-reader when I downloaded one of your “Magic” books from the back seat of my car while going 60 mph down I-5).
The Nook has changed the way I read, too–I believe for the better. You see, I am one of those awful people who always obsessively reads the last page first, or skips ahead and reads a few chapters before going back. That’s much harder to do in an e-book–so I am reading in a much more linear way and am having a much more absorbing/suspenseful experience now than ever before. In addition, now no one can tell what I am reading and I no longer suffer the public embarrassment of the clinch cover.
I have always enjoyed libraries–but I must confess that these days (I am getting older!) all that dust and old paper gives me sinus headaches and sneezes.
Thank you for a great topic, Susan/Sarah–and I’m waiting with bated breath for all of your backlist titles!
An e-book fan here, speaking with the zeal of the newly converted!
I bought a Nook at the end of June and since then all my book buying has been e-format (just slightly less than 200 books to date–quite a few of them free titles). That’s a lot of books that aren’t sitting in grocery sacks next to my bed (or, let’s be honest, in tall tilting piles) waiting for the bookcases I will buy “soon” (soon meaning maybe never?).
I love being able to buy what I want, when I want, and to get it immediately (Pat Rice, I officially fell in love with the e-reader when I downloaded one of your “Magic” books from the back seat of my car while going 60 mph down I-5).
The Nook has changed the way I read, too–I believe for the better. You see, I am one of those awful people who always obsessively reads the last page first, or skips ahead and reads a few chapters before going back. That’s much harder to do in an e-book–so I am reading in a much more linear way and am having a much more absorbing/suspenseful experience now than ever before. In addition, now no one can tell what I am reading and I no longer suffer the public embarrassment of the clinch cover.
I have always enjoyed libraries–but I must confess that these days (I am getting older!) all that dust and old paper gives me sinus headaches and sneezes.
Thank you for a great topic, Susan/Sarah–and I’m waiting with bated breath for all of your backlist titles!
An e-book fan here, speaking with the zeal of the newly converted!
I bought a Nook at the end of June and since then all my book buying has been e-format (just slightly less than 200 books to date–quite a few of them free titles). That’s a lot of books that aren’t sitting in grocery sacks next to my bed (or, let’s be honest, in tall tilting piles) waiting for the bookcases I will buy “soon” (soon meaning maybe never?).
I love being able to buy what I want, when I want, and to get it immediately (Pat Rice, I officially fell in love with the e-reader when I downloaded one of your “Magic” books from the back seat of my car while going 60 mph down I-5).
The Nook has changed the way I read, too–I believe for the better. You see, I am one of those awful people who always obsessively reads the last page first, or skips ahead and reads a few chapters before going back. That’s much harder to do in an e-book–so I am reading in a much more linear way and am having a much more absorbing/suspenseful experience now than ever before. In addition, now no one can tell what I am reading and I no longer suffer the public embarrassment of the clinch cover.
I have always enjoyed libraries–but I must confess that these days (I am getting older!) all that dust and old paper gives me sinus headaches and sneezes.
Thank you for a great topic, Susan/Sarah–and I’m waiting with bated breath for all of your backlist titles!
An e-book fan here, speaking with the zeal of the newly converted!
I bought a Nook at the end of June and since then all my book buying has been e-format (just slightly less than 200 books to date–quite a few of them free titles). That’s a lot of books that aren’t sitting in grocery sacks next to my bed (or, let’s be honest, in tall tilting piles) waiting for the bookcases I will buy “soon” (soon meaning maybe never?).
I love being able to buy what I want, when I want, and to get it immediately (Pat Rice, I officially fell in love with the e-reader when I downloaded one of your “Magic” books from the back seat of my car while going 60 mph down I-5).
The Nook has changed the way I read, too–I believe for the better. You see, I am one of those awful people who always obsessively reads the last page first, or skips ahead and reads a few chapters before going back. That’s much harder to do in an e-book–so I am reading in a much more linear way and am having a much more absorbing/suspenseful experience now than ever before. In addition, now no one can tell what I am reading and I no longer suffer the public embarrassment of the clinch cover.
I have always enjoyed libraries–but I must confess that these days (I am getting older!) all that dust and old paper gives me sinus headaches and sneezes.
Thank you for a great topic, Susan/Sarah–and I’m waiting with bated breath for all of your backlist titles!
I’m afraid its real books for me. I like skipping back and forwards through a book, even a romance novel, but especially books about old buildings, oh and anything that it is possible to dip into. I did look into getting an eReader but where I am purchasing the actual reader is more difficult than purchasing the real book, so its real books for me. And anyway I can put them on my already overcrowded book shelves and imagine I am in my own library. Being surrounded by books gives me a really warm feeling. Love them!
I’m afraid its real books for me. I like skipping back and forwards through a book, even a romance novel, but especially books about old buildings, oh and anything that it is possible to dip into. I did look into getting an eReader but where I am purchasing the actual reader is more difficult than purchasing the real book, so its real books for me. And anyway I can put them on my already overcrowded book shelves and imagine I am in my own library. Being surrounded by books gives me a really warm feeling. Love them!
I’m afraid its real books for me. I like skipping back and forwards through a book, even a romance novel, but especially books about old buildings, oh and anything that it is possible to dip into. I did look into getting an eReader but where I am purchasing the actual reader is more difficult than purchasing the real book, so its real books for me. And anyway I can put them on my already overcrowded book shelves and imagine I am in my own library. Being surrounded by books gives me a really warm feeling. Love them!
I’m afraid its real books for me. I like skipping back and forwards through a book, even a romance novel, but especially books about old buildings, oh and anything that it is possible to dip into. I did look into getting an eReader but where I am purchasing the actual reader is more difficult than purchasing the real book, so its real books for me. And anyway I can put them on my already overcrowded book shelves and imagine I am in my own library. Being surrounded by books gives me a really warm feeling. Love them!
I’m afraid its real books for me. I like skipping back and forwards through a book, even a romance novel, but especially books about old buildings, oh and anything that it is possible to dip into. I did look into getting an eReader but where I am purchasing the actual reader is more difficult than purchasing the real book, so its real books for me. And anyway I can put them on my already overcrowded book shelves and imagine I am in my own library. Being surrounded by books gives me a really warm feeling. Love them!
most of my family are going down the e book road, I like to be able to move about with the book and feel it and somehow become part of it and I just cannot get this feeling with the kindle.
most of my family are going down the e book road, I like to be able to move about with the book and feel it and somehow become part of it and I just cannot get this feeling with the kindle.
most of my family are going down the e book road, I like to be able to move about with the book and feel it and somehow become part of it and I just cannot get this feeling with the kindle.
most of my family are going down the e book road, I like to be able to move about with the book and feel it and somehow become part of it and I just cannot get this feeling with the kindle.
most of my family are going down the e book road, I like to be able to move about with the book and feel it and somehow become part of it and I just cannot get this feeling with the kindle.
Oh, Susan, I had to laugh on seeing your post yesterday. You’ll see why tomorrow! (File under the “Great Minds Think Alike”category!)
Real books for me, though I’m planning on getting a digital reader for traveling.
Oh, Susan, I had to laugh on seeing your post yesterday. You’ll see why tomorrow! (File under the “Great Minds Think Alike”category!)
Real books for me, though I’m planning on getting a digital reader for traveling.
Oh, Susan, I had to laugh on seeing your post yesterday. You’ll see why tomorrow! (File under the “Great Minds Think Alike”category!)
Real books for me, though I’m planning on getting a digital reader for traveling.
Oh, Susan, I had to laugh on seeing your post yesterday. You’ll see why tomorrow! (File under the “Great Minds Think Alike”category!)
Real books for me, though I’m planning on getting a digital reader for traveling.
Oh, Susan, I had to laugh on seeing your post yesterday. You’ll see why tomorrow! (File under the “Great Minds Think Alike”category!)
Real books for me, though I’m planning on getting a digital reader for traveling.
When I was a kid, the library was my second home. When, as an adult, I got a job in a library my momm told me I must feel like I died and went to heaven. I love the feel and smell and idea of books, but I can se the use of ebooks, especially in traveling. Lugging books all over France in my suitcase was NOT fun.
My library has signed on to a new program called Overdrive which lets patrons download ebooks and audio books and have a borrowing period of up to 3 weeks. This could change libraries even more. It’s best feature is that there are never any overdue fines. After 3 weeks the book just disappears and you can reorder it. Kindle has not signed on to this, but the Nook has. So, it looks like I’ll be buying a Nook for traveling and the ease of borrowing. But cuddling up with a Nook on a cold winter night just won’t have the draw that a good paperbound book does. So, I’ll still be buying REAL books too.
When I was a kid, the library was my second home. When, as an adult, I got a job in a library my momm told me I must feel like I died and went to heaven. I love the feel and smell and idea of books, but I can se the use of ebooks, especially in traveling. Lugging books all over France in my suitcase was NOT fun.
My library has signed on to a new program called Overdrive which lets patrons download ebooks and audio books and have a borrowing period of up to 3 weeks. This could change libraries even more. It’s best feature is that there are never any overdue fines. After 3 weeks the book just disappears and you can reorder it. Kindle has not signed on to this, but the Nook has. So, it looks like I’ll be buying a Nook for traveling and the ease of borrowing. But cuddling up with a Nook on a cold winter night just won’t have the draw that a good paperbound book does. So, I’ll still be buying REAL books too.
When I was a kid, the library was my second home. When, as an adult, I got a job in a library my momm told me I must feel like I died and went to heaven. I love the feel and smell and idea of books, but I can se the use of ebooks, especially in traveling. Lugging books all over France in my suitcase was NOT fun.
My library has signed on to a new program called Overdrive which lets patrons download ebooks and audio books and have a borrowing period of up to 3 weeks. This could change libraries even more. It’s best feature is that there are never any overdue fines. After 3 weeks the book just disappears and you can reorder it. Kindle has not signed on to this, but the Nook has. So, it looks like I’ll be buying a Nook for traveling and the ease of borrowing. But cuddling up with a Nook on a cold winter night just won’t have the draw that a good paperbound book does. So, I’ll still be buying REAL books too.
When I was a kid, the library was my second home. When, as an adult, I got a job in a library my momm told me I must feel like I died and went to heaven. I love the feel and smell and idea of books, but I can se the use of ebooks, especially in traveling. Lugging books all over France in my suitcase was NOT fun.
My library has signed on to a new program called Overdrive which lets patrons download ebooks and audio books and have a borrowing period of up to 3 weeks. This could change libraries even more. It’s best feature is that there are never any overdue fines. After 3 weeks the book just disappears and you can reorder it. Kindle has not signed on to this, but the Nook has. So, it looks like I’ll be buying a Nook for traveling and the ease of borrowing. But cuddling up with a Nook on a cold winter night just won’t have the draw that a good paperbound book does. So, I’ll still be buying REAL books too.
When I was a kid, the library was my second home. When, as an adult, I got a job in a library my momm told me I must feel like I died and went to heaven. I love the feel and smell and idea of books, but I can se the use of ebooks, especially in traveling. Lugging books all over France in my suitcase was NOT fun.
My library has signed on to a new program called Overdrive which lets patrons download ebooks and audio books and have a borrowing period of up to 3 weeks. This could change libraries even more. It’s best feature is that there are never any overdue fines. After 3 weeks the book just disappears and you can reorder it. Kindle has not signed on to this, but the Nook has. So, it looks like I’ll be buying a Nook for traveling and the ease of borrowing. But cuddling up with a Nook on a cold winter night just won’t have the draw that a good paperbound book does. So, I’ll still be buying REAL books too.
I’m a tactile book person. I have not been won over by technology (but then I don’t Twitter, I don’t text from my cell phone, and I don’t do a lot of other “modern” things that others take for granted)–and I’m young enough that I should be part of the techie group. I just don’t care for it. Technology seems more impersonal and if the texting and status updates are any indication, it’s made us somewhat ruder as well. *LOL*
Plus I’ve always had a fantasy of owning my own house and having floor to ceiling bookshelves with books. I’m going to get it someday, darnit.
I’m a tactile book person. I have not been won over by technology (but then I don’t Twitter, I don’t text from my cell phone, and I don’t do a lot of other “modern” things that others take for granted)–and I’m young enough that I should be part of the techie group. I just don’t care for it. Technology seems more impersonal and if the texting and status updates are any indication, it’s made us somewhat ruder as well. *LOL*
Plus I’ve always had a fantasy of owning my own house and having floor to ceiling bookshelves with books. I’m going to get it someday, darnit.
I’m a tactile book person. I have not been won over by technology (but then I don’t Twitter, I don’t text from my cell phone, and I don’t do a lot of other “modern” things that others take for granted)–and I’m young enough that I should be part of the techie group. I just don’t care for it. Technology seems more impersonal and if the texting and status updates are any indication, it’s made us somewhat ruder as well. *LOL*
Plus I’ve always had a fantasy of owning my own house and having floor to ceiling bookshelves with books. I’m going to get it someday, darnit.
I’m a tactile book person. I have not been won over by technology (but then I don’t Twitter, I don’t text from my cell phone, and I don’t do a lot of other “modern” things that others take for granted)–and I’m young enough that I should be part of the techie group. I just don’t care for it. Technology seems more impersonal and if the texting and status updates are any indication, it’s made us somewhat ruder as well. *LOL*
Plus I’ve always had a fantasy of owning my own house and having floor to ceiling bookshelves with books. I’m going to get it someday, darnit.
I’m a tactile book person. I have not been won over by technology (but then I don’t Twitter, I don’t text from my cell phone, and I don’t do a lot of other “modern” things that others take for granted)–and I’m young enough that I should be part of the techie group. I just don’t care for it. Technology seems more impersonal and if the texting and status updates are any indication, it’s made us somewhat ruder as well. *LOL*
Plus I’ve always had a fantasy of owning my own house and having floor to ceiling bookshelves with books. I’m going to get it someday, darnit.
I too love my books and will always have them but I do have an e book reader as well mainly for the books that are only released as e books and there are a few these days they are easy to read but I will always love the smell feel and look of books.
Have Fun
Helen
I too love my books and will always have them but I do have an e book reader as well mainly for the books that are only released as e books and there are a few these days they are easy to read but I will always love the smell feel and look of books.
Have Fun
Helen
I too love my books and will always have them but I do have an e book reader as well mainly for the books that are only released as e books and there are a few these days they are easy to read but I will always love the smell feel and look of books.
Have Fun
Helen
I too love my books and will always have them but I do have an e book reader as well mainly for the books that are only released as e books and there are a few these days they are easy to read but I will always love the smell feel and look of books.
Have Fun
Helen
I too love my books and will always have them but I do have an e book reader as well mainly for the books that are only released as e books and there are a few these days they are easy to read but I will always love the smell feel and look of books.
Have Fun
Helen
There is nothing like the smell of a new book. (or an old one) I often will bury my nose in the pages of a new book just for the smell.
Just getting started with the e-mail books with Kindle for PC. Have about a dozen or so books so far. I do think that “real” books will never go away. Somebody will always want a “real” copy.
There is nothing like the smell of a new book. (or an old one) I often will bury my nose in the pages of a new book just for the smell.
Just getting started with the e-mail books with Kindle for PC. Have about a dozen or so books so far. I do think that “real” books will never go away. Somebody will always want a “real” copy.
There is nothing like the smell of a new book. (or an old one) I often will bury my nose in the pages of a new book just for the smell.
Just getting started with the e-mail books with Kindle for PC. Have about a dozen or so books so far. I do think that “real” books will never go away. Somebody will always want a “real” copy.
There is nothing like the smell of a new book. (or an old one) I often will bury my nose in the pages of a new book just for the smell.
Just getting started with the e-mail books with Kindle for PC. Have about a dozen or so books so far. I do think that “real” books will never go away. Somebody will always want a “real” copy.
There is nothing like the smell of a new book. (or an old one) I often will bury my nose in the pages of a new book just for the smell.
Just getting started with the e-mail books with Kindle for PC. Have about a dozen or so books so far. I do think that “real” books will never go away. Somebody will always want a “real” copy.
As you put it so well, I have my feet firmly planted in both camps. I love real books, I love my Kindle- basically I just love to read. They each have their advantages and I like them both!
As you put it so well, I have my feet firmly planted in both camps. I love real books, I love my Kindle- basically I just love to read. They each have their advantages and I like them both!
As you put it so well, I have my feet firmly planted in both camps. I love real books, I love my Kindle- basically I just love to read. They each have their advantages and I like them both!
As you put it so well, I have my feet firmly planted in both camps. I love real books, I love my Kindle- basically I just love to read. They each have their advantages and I like them both!
As you put it so well, I have my feet firmly planted in both camps. I love real books, I love my Kindle- basically I just love to read. They each have their advantages and I like them both!
It’s got to be real books for me too! I love seeing them lined up on my book shelves, love holding a new one in my hands. A house without books doesn’t seem like a home to me – it’s naked, soulless!
I’ve been collecting books for years and my dream is to have my own library (with mostly romantic books of course, although since my DH loves reading too, there will be other genres). I finally have the perfect room for it, all I need now are those lovely old-fashioned shelves …
It’s got to be real books for me too! I love seeing them lined up on my book shelves, love holding a new one in my hands. A house without books doesn’t seem like a home to me – it’s naked, soulless!
I’ve been collecting books for years and my dream is to have my own library (with mostly romantic books of course, although since my DH loves reading too, there will be other genres). I finally have the perfect room for it, all I need now are those lovely old-fashioned shelves …
It’s got to be real books for me too! I love seeing them lined up on my book shelves, love holding a new one in my hands. A house without books doesn’t seem like a home to me – it’s naked, soulless!
I’ve been collecting books for years and my dream is to have my own library (with mostly romantic books of course, although since my DH loves reading too, there will be other genres). I finally have the perfect room for it, all I need now are those lovely old-fashioned shelves …
It’s got to be real books for me too! I love seeing them lined up on my book shelves, love holding a new one in my hands. A house without books doesn’t seem like a home to me – it’s naked, soulless!
I’ve been collecting books for years and my dream is to have my own library (with mostly romantic books of course, although since my DH loves reading too, there will be other genres). I finally have the perfect room for it, all I need now are those lovely old-fashioned shelves …
It’s got to be real books for me too! I love seeing them lined up on my book shelves, love holding a new one in my hands. A house without books doesn’t seem like a home to me – it’s naked, soulless!
I’ve been collecting books for years and my dream is to have my own library (with mostly romantic books of course, although since my DH loves reading too, there will be other genres). I finally have the perfect room for it, all I need now are those lovely old-fashioned shelves …
From someone who put a library in her home before kitchen or second bathroom (I still don’t have a stove 20 years on!), I would not be without my Kobo. It is so portable and light, every book I want to read is in there and it goes everywhere with me. I agree that e books will revolutionize the world of books. If only there was a bigger catalogue available.
From someone who put a library in her home before kitchen or second bathroom (I still don’t have a stove 20 years on!), I would not be without my Kobo. It is so portable and light, every book I want to read is in there and it goes everywhere with me. I agree that e books will revolutionize the world of books. If only there was a bigger catalogue available.
From someone who put a library in her home before kitchen or second bathroom (I still don’t have a stove 20 years on!), I would not be without my Kobo. It is so portable and light, every book I want to read is in there and it goes everywhere with me. I agree that e books will revolutionize the world of books. If only there was a bigger catalogue available.
From someone who put a library in her home before kitchen or second bathroom (I still don’t have a stove 20 years on!), I would not be without my Kobo. It is so portable and light, every book I want to read is in there and it goes everywhere with me. I agree that e books will revolutionize the world of books. If only there was a bigger catalogue available.
From someone who put a library in her home before kitchen or second bathroom (I still don’t have a stove 20 years on!), I would not be without my Kobo. It is so portable and light, every book I want to read is in there and it goes everywhere with me. I agree that e books will revolutionize the world of books. If only there was a bigger catalogue available.
I love real books, Susan, but I suspect I am slowly being won over to ebooks. For a start the TBR pile won’t take up so much room. Nor will my luggage be so heavy when I travel. But I think with books I really love, I will want them in hard copy.
My other worry is that e-reader formats will change, and just as I’ve had to spend money to rebuy all my old vinyl records and no doubt will have to do it again for my cds, a book remains readable no matter how technology changes.
I love real books, Susan, but I suspect I am slowly being won over to ebooks. For a start the TBR pile won’t take up so much room. Nor will my luggage be so heavy when I travel. But I think with books I really love, I will want them in hard copy.
My other worry is that e-reader formats will change, and just as I’ve had to spend money to rebuy all my old vinyl records and no doubt will have to do it again for my cds, a book remains readable no matter how technology changes.
I love real books, Susan, but I suspect I am slowly being won over to ebooks. For a start the TBR pile won’t take up so much room. Nor will my luggage be so heavy when I travel. But I think with books I really love, I will want them in hard copy.
My other worry is that e-reader formats will change, and just as I’ve had to spend money to rebuy all my old vinyl records and no doubt will have to do it again for my cds, a book remains readable no matter how technology changes.
I love real books, Susan, but I suspect I am slowly being won over to ebooks. For a start the TBR pile won’t take up so much room. Nor will my luggage be so heavy when I travel. But I think with books I really love, I will want them in hard copy.
My other worry is that e-reader formats will change, and just as I’ve had to spend money to rebuy all my old vinyl records and no doubt will have to do it again for my cds, a book remains readable no matter how technology changes.
I love real books, Susan, but I suspect I am slowly being won over to ebooks. For a start the TBR pile won’t take up so much room. Nor will my luggage be so heavy when I travel. But I think with books I really love, I will want them in hard copy.
My other worry is that e-reader formats will change, and just as I’ve had to spend money to rebuy all my old vinyl records and no doubt will have to do it again for my cds, a book remains readable no matter how technology changes.
I do not have an e reader and probably will go to my grave without one as long as publishers keep producing paperbooks. There’s nothing like holding a work of art. And even better is going into bookstores – new and used – where ever I might be. My family spent the last week in Maui. As we strolled through Lahaina, there was no question if we would browse through the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. We found a vintage book about Hawaiian culture that now doubles as a research tool and vacation souvenier.
My preference for paper books is also fed by my volunteer work at the base thrift shop. I sort through the books to determine which would sell in the thrift shop or should be donated off base. I often find “treasures” of books that are 100 years old – books that military families may have lugged around the world but now decided to discard because their household goods exceed their weight limit. I also find books locally published – the “Revealed” series is the best travel guide for the Hawaiian islands. But the series is difficult to find outside Hawaii.
I do not have an e reader and probably will go to my grave without one as long as publishers keep producing paperbooks. There’s nothing like holding a work of art. And even better is going into bookstores – new and used – where ever I might be. My family spent the last week in Maui. As we strolled through Lahaina, there was no question if we would browse through the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. We found a vintage book about Hawaiian culture that now doubles as a research tool and vacation souvenier.
My preference for paper books is also fed by my volunteer work at the base thrift shop. I sort through the books to determine which would sell in the thrift shop or should be donated off base. I often find “treasures” of books that are 100 years old – books that military families may have lugged around the world but now decided to discard because their household goods exceed their weight limit. I also find books locally published – the “Revealed” series is the best travel guide for the Hawaiian islands. But the series is difficult to find outside Hawaii.
I do not have an e reader and probably will go to my grave without one as long as publishers keep producing paperbooks. There’s nothing like holding a work of art. And even better is going into bookstores – new and used – where ever I might be. My family spent the last week in Maui. As we strolled through Lahaina, there was no question if we would browse through the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. We found a vintage book about Hawaiian culture that now doubles as a research tool and vacation souvenier.
My preference for paper books is also fed by my volunteer work at the base thrift shop. I sort through the books to determine which would sell in the thrift shop or should be donated off base. I often find “treasures” of books that are 100 years old – books that military families may have lugged around the world but now decided to discard because their household goods exceed their weight limit. I also find books locally published – the “Revealed” series is the best travel guide for the Hawaiian islands. But the series is difficult to find outside Hawaii.
I do not have an e reader and probably will go to my grave without one as long as publishers keep producing paperbooks. There’s nothing like holding a work of art. And even better is going into bookstores – new and used – where ever I might be. My family spent the last week in Maui. As we strolled through Lahaina, there was no question if we would browse through the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. We found a vintage book about Hawaiian culture that now doubles as a research tool and vacation souvenier.
My preference for paper books is also fed by my volunteer work at the base thrift shop. I sort through the books to determine which would sell in the thrift shop or should be donated off base. I often find “treasures” of books that are 100 years old – books that military families may have lugged around the world but now decided to discard because their household goods exceed their weight limit. I also find books locally published – the “Revealed” series is the best travel guide for the Hawaiian islands. But the series is difficult to find outside Hawaii.
I do not have an e reader and probably will go to my grave without one as long as publishers keep producing paperbooks. There’s nothing like holding a work of art. And even better is going into bookstores – new and used – where ever I might be. My family spent the last week in Maui. As we strolled through Lahaina, there was no question if we would browse through the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. We found a vintage book about Hawaiian culture that now doubles as a research tool and vacation souvenier.
My preference for paper books is also fed by my volunteer work at the base thrift shop. I sort through the books to determine which would sell in the thrift shop or should be donated off base. I often find “treasures” of books that are 100 years old – books that military families may have lugged around the world but now decided to discard because their household goods exceed their weight limit. I also find books locally published – the “Revealed” series is the best travel guide for the Hawaiian islands. But the series is difficult to find outside Hawaii.