Colin recently got a Kindle for his birthday. Homeboy is all about electronics and gadgets, so the Kindle is great for him--I think it will get him to read more in the end. He loves the gadgety part of it--but I would miss the physical-ness of holding a book in my hands while I read.
I love the feel of the pages of a book and my snappy collection of bookmarks. There is just something about moving that Tazzy bookmark I have from our pally, Tracy, that lets me know that I'm moving along in my book. And it makes me laugh. I have a few bookmarks, and depending on the book, I have to chose my bookmark ever so carefully. Really slow reads get a scrap of paper, while a good book earns the Tazzy.
And at any time, my bookmark selection can change as my opinion of the book changes. It's serious stuff this bookmarking.
I'm a tactile gal and anything I'm interested in usually involves my hands and the sense of touch. Heck, I even have to blog on the desktop for the feel of the keys and the little clicky sounds they make.
For years, I quilted which was huge with the tactile me. I still have boat-loads of fabric that I love to look at and.....well....touch. While I don't quilt as much because of my work schedule, I still pull out the fabric collection every so often and dig through it, dreaming of possibility and future quilts with that lovely cotton. And I can't bear to part with it--I love the feel of it all.
So, with the closing of Borders, I wonder what is going to happen to all these books and what exactly is going to be the outlet for authors and touchy-book people like me? Is everyone into the electronic readers or do you like the "feel" of a book in your hands? And are books going to go the way of the vinyl record? Gosh I hope not.
Why is it that the world has to "improve" everything like HD TV? I happen to like my newspaper on Sunday mornings and a book stuffed into my purse. I like an old scratchy record or even a CD--I miss album covers that we used to hold and look at while we listened to the music. All this new-fangled technology is missing touch in so many ways.
Sigh.. I sound like my grandpa, don't I? But watching books disappear is something I am not ready for. And Borders closing is a scary sign of what is to come.
23 comments:
Yes, books are nice to hold. I had the chance to try an older version of what I think was a Nook (B&N's version of the Kindle). Considering how much you can load onto one of those babies, I can understand the attraction. Sometimes, my hands have trouble with turning pages. Maybe that's why I prefer audio books these days.
My lovely Kindle is a pain. Great to carry loads of books but has other issues. I loved walking around the bookstore and seeing the newest ones on the tables up front.
I read books on my iPad. It has a Kindle app that works just like a Kindle gadget, and I LOVE it!!! I don't like the weight of books, holding them up and close to my face... with the gadget, I can adjust the font to any size I want, and adjust the lighting, too. It's very enjoyable.
But I LOVE perusing bookstores. It is so hard to buy books electronically, because you can't really flip through it and see what you're getting.
I am the same,my son will never convince me that a kindle or the like is better than a real book.I think this generation is missing out on the realness of a lot of things. I already know the world has left me behind...and I do not care,lol!
Nope, no more electronic gadgets. I have one of the e-book thingies which lies collecting dust. Why? Because it works like all my other e-stuff: erratically, frustratingly, aggreva... you get the idea.
And it pleases me to know there is a young person who still prefers "real" books.
Sincerely,
"Grandpa"
I love books...seriously do...they are like my friends. I have books that I can't bear to part with because what if I want to read them again and they aren't there? ;)
But, I have to tell you that I am also in love with my daughter's Kindle. In fact, I want one of my very own! But, that is just because I love new technology!
I just discovered someone else thinks the way I do about bookmarks! Yay! As for books vs. Kindles, I love reading from a book and always will but those Kindles are sure tempting for travel. It'll be really sad if books all go online since seeing them on the store shelves was part of the excitement in getting them. Hope the library books don't give way to electronics too!
I blogged about reading on my nook. It's cold. I don't really like it but so many review opportunities are coming out in e-book I almost had to get one. I will never prefer it. I will always love the feel of a book in my hands.
And I am forever trying to turn the page of the nook. My hand reaches up and....*sigh* The hubby just laughs at me but I have been reading since I was 5 and the movement is so ingrained.
There's nothing like the feel of a good book in your hand. Hugs!!
I'm a real book person too. They don't need batteries or to be recharged.
I saw that about Borders, so sad! Of course, I haven't been in a bookstore in years so I'm partially to blame. We just got the Droid Transformer and it has a Kindle-like reader which seems awesome. Now if the kids would just let me read...
It's very hard for bookstores these days to make a go of it. I'm surprised they lasted this long, really. I like books and would not want a Kindle or any other reading gadget similar to it. We use the library.
What's REALLY scary is realizing the e books all come from ... eh ...over there. Fran's Dad
My Mommeh has a Kindle, but she prefers real books. But it's nice to read about a new book and have it instantly if you want to read!
the Borders here already closed a few months ago. One of the girls that I work with is a huge reader. She recently bought a kindle and I told her that it's her fault that Borders closed. :)
I have an iPad and my husband has a nook and I have never bought a single e-book and doubt I ever will. I HATE reading on the machines. I too like the feel of paper in my hands. Plus I am cheap - e-books are not cheap and after you read them, then what? You can't give them away, you can't put them out at a yard sale, you can't donate them - all that money just thrown away - especially since most of the books people are buying are pop fiction - who reads that stuff twice? The public library is the place for those kinds of books (unfortunately our two local libraries carry crapola books).
And I can't read a newspaper on-line either - we get ours delivered - put through our mail slot by 5:30 every morning - I'm still working on last Sunday's book review section!
I have mixed emotions about this subject. On one hand the electronic books "could" save a few trees and maybe some space. On the other hand....an electronic book reader an't the same as reading the real thing. I have always loved wandering though bookstores and owning "real" books.
Chuck--I see the benefits--the storage (especially if you travel), the font size, etc., but I would prefer a book if I have the choice. I love a beach bag full of books for vacation. I dunno, there is something happy about that for me.
Helene--There aren't going to be book stores anymore, Helene! That's what makes me sad. :(
Rebecca--I recently bought a bunch of books on Amazon and yeah, it's hard to flip through to see what you are getting. Also, I don't find myself picking up sale books that just happen to catch my eye. I can't do that at the library either--all I see are spines. I'm really going to miss Borders.
Melodie--We are losing our sense of touch. Everything is geared toward plastic and metal electronics now. I agree--I think our kids are going to miss out on some good stuff in life.
Vanilla--Emma still likes books too and has no interest in the Kindle. What makes me sad is that when the kids would get good report cards, I would take them to the bookstore for a new book or two--it was a major outing for us. Now, there is none of that. It's sad.
A.Marie--There is comfort in a stack of well-loved books, isn't there? I have a stack like yours too--that I love and re-read. It's a shame that they will all go the way of the Kindle/Nook. And while it is cool now, it's just sad where it will lead us.
Beaded Tail--I like the Kindle for traveling--it's a great idea. But don't you love a little beach bag for a bunch of books on vacation?? I do! I guess we won't need libraries either then, will we??? Gasp!
Pricilla--Hahaha! I like your phantom page turning!! :) That would be me too.
Katherine--I agree! And I love the idea of one stuffed in my purse for doctors visits and lunch time.
Mary Ann--And they don't break and need to be replaced in a few years. Sigh. I'm just not into electronics for everything.
Casey--Stupid kids. They ruin everything!
Karen--I don't like the library because I can't just peruse the books--all I see are spines. I love all those stacks on the tables and shelves as a display at book stores. I always end up buying more than I intended.
Fran's Dad--The world is e-everything. Ugh.
Daisy--That would be nice to get them quickly, but I love getting a book in the mail from Amazon every now and then. It's a double bonus--a package AND a new book!! :)
Ann--Yeah, no guilt co-worker!! hahaha! Tell her I said "thanks a LOT"!!
Grace--Our library sucks too--and I told them that when Colin was 4 and they wouldn't allow him to have a library card. He was reading at a high level and we needed books to keep him busy. I haven't been back there since. I like a newspaper on Sundays when I can sit and enjoy it with my coffee, but during the week, it is online reading for me.
Jean--I love the stacks of books at the stores, finding books that I otherwise would not have found. We can't do that with e-readers. I never thought about saving trees--hmmmm....good point.
I refuse to go to e-books - I will hang on as long as I can! There's something about the smell of a new book, the way the pages feel in hands... Kindles are not the same!
We are so visual anyway, and now we all just stare at screens. (Says the girl who is here typing on the computer and watching tv at the same time) But in my defense, I did a lot of other stuff during the day.
I've read some short ebooks on my iTouch if you can believe it. Can't get a smaller screen than that! I like it because of the portability. If I'm waiting somewhere, I can whip it out and don't have to lug a real book around. But I do still like the feel of a book in my hands, propping it up on my legs as I read on the couch. RIP Borders. And Barnes & Noble? Watch your back. Doesn't look good.
Awesome quilt, love the colors. We went to Borders but the other day but there were not any good deals yet. I'm too poor to shop there anyway. Maybe people will start to support their local libraries now and the smaller independently owned bookstores which I find way more charming.
Storm--I'm with ya, Pally!
Sharkey--I stare at a screen all day and then I come home to do more of it. Ugh. I'm fried on electronics and gadgets. Give me a real book!!
Kathy--I know people like them, but I'm not there just yet. It's sad to see these book stores leaving. I wonder how the mom & pop places can keep going too?
Jennifer--I'm not going there to get bargains as I hate fighting everyone for the bone-picking. My local garden store is closing too--and everyone who never shopped there is rushing in for the deals. I can't bring myself to go. :(
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