Today, I was flipping through a Real Simple magazine and saw a full-page ad for Kindle, a wireless device available from Amazon that allows you to download books, magazines and newspapers. It’s sort of like an iPod for your reading material.
I get it. The Kindle seems really cool. I understand why some people would love it. And I’m not saying that I would never, ever, ever buy one for myself…
But…
Am I the only one out there to who prefers to hold a book in her hands? I want to feel the pages between my fingers. I dog-ear, underline, flip ahead and flip back. I can see where I am in the story, where I’ve been and how far I have left to go. I’m obviously aware that blogging allows me to publish my writing in an instant (so awesome) but many times, I start with pen and paper… I have to step away from the keyboard and computer screen to get in the creative flow and allow the muse to take shape.
I am not anti-technology. I’m a big fan of finding new ways to save time, energy and space. But the Kindle makes me wonder what’s to come. I remember feeling a hint of sadness when Millennium Music in downtown Charleston closed. They’re now doing business as an online store. No more standing in the aisles wearing a set of huge headphones, listening to CD’s and contemplating the purchase of the acoustic version of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. So sad.
Are bookstores the next to go? I understand times change. I no longer sit on the floor of the neighborhood Book Bag browsing through Judy Blume books. Instead, I sip on a latte and cozy up in a comfy chair at Barnes & Noble.
I buy books online, too. And if I had a Kindle, I could download my purchase in about a minute. But, really, I don’t mind waiting a couple days for the hard copies to arrive. When I hear the delivery truck, I rush to the door. I tear open the cardboard packaging like it’s Christmas morning.
I’ll never forget the day I stood in line holding a stack of books written by Sue Monk Kidd, happily waiting for her to scrawl her signature across the front pages. I wonder what she would do if someone said, “Hey Sue, would you sign my Kindle?” I imagine she’d ask if anyone had a Sharpie. But it’s not the same.
I commented to my husband, “What’s next? Wall art and famous paintings rotating on giant plasma TVs?” He told me Bill Gates has something like that.
Am I a member of a dying breed? Am I becoming one of those people who will say, “Back in my day we had BOOKS! You young people don’t know what you’re missing!”
Speak to me, friends.
Oh, one more thing– coming up this Tuesday (Wednesday if you get updates via email)– my conversation with author Katherine Center. You’ll love her insights on finding the beauty in life’s imperfections. Stay tuned!
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Actually in my opinion I think books will be around forever. You can only look at a computer screen for so long or a an e-reader so long at a time without some sort of eye problems. Now e-books are so much the more accessible from great distances away from us. I expect one day they may decide to colonize on the Moon or Mars
and there may be beaming transmitters going back to the Earth to receive e-books from the Earth instead of so much mailing them. I think it is possible that cassettes
may be on the horizon to become obsolete eventually.
I don’t think I could read a whole book from a small screen. I look the feel of the book-the turning of the pages and even sometime, peeking at the ending…so I will continue to buy BOOKS!
I think if books were going to go the way of the 8-track, it would have happened already. I have a few friends that have the Kindle and they say it’s great for traveling (you only have to bring the Kindle and not five books), but they still read “regular” books. I remember when Amazon first introduced downloadable books (pre-Kindle) and people didn’t jump on that bandwagon. For true readers and those who love books, there’s nothing like holding the book in your hand, being able to make notes in the margins, etc. And I love the way libraries and bookstores smell. Of course, I’m the one with a box of old LPs carefully tucked away in a closet…
Love the post! You made me laugh out loud twice as I read it on my Motorola Q. Can’t wait to hear your first audio book.
Kelly Love and Shawn, you both have proven that “old school” and “new school” can continue to peacefully coexist! There’s hope.
Funny that you wrote this. I am comptemplating getting a Kindle. Working on my PhD requires lots of books. A lot of them can be downloaded to the Kindle. This will save me lots of space in my suitcase when I travel to Hawaii especially since they are now charging to check bags. Also some of the books have the text to speech feature. Yes, the voice is sort of tinny, but I can imagine it saving me some time. I can be read to as I wash the dishes or while driving.
I have bookcases filled with books. I will always buy them. There is just something so comforting about allowing a book to transport me to another place and time.
Hi Angie! I too love to hold a book in my hands for the reasons you listed, but when your eyes get old and tired like mine and you have to squint through contact lenses AND reading glasses this new technology sounds good!
This was both funny and thought-provoking. Lots of people love Kindle and I can see why. But I’m totally with you on this one. I’m pro-tech, but I’m also love to hold a book in my hands… I suppose someday they will invent a book-chip that looks like a tic tac. No reading involved. You just swallow it and voila! That would be weird.
I’ll stop rambling now. (See, I said it was thought-provoking!) Great post, Angie!
Angie, you seem like a person after our own hearts here at Bright Sky. We are trying really hard to prove that old school books and new school technology can not only peacefully coexist, but actually enrich each other. We are all in such uncharted territory, and it is like exploring any new frontier–exciting, scary, and filled with black hats as well as white hats! So glad to hear a friendly voice out there supporting the joys of just holding a beloved book. I’ll stay tuned.
I am wondering the same thing. I love my books. I am a Mac user so the new Apple iPad looks cool and fun and has the book reader. I will eventually get one I am sure. However, I will use the the book reader when traveling or away from home. Nice to read in waiting rooms and such for conveinence. But at home I will Never give up those wonderful hardbacks and the excitement I feel when I purchase a new one. Yes bookstores in America are dying. Since I have been in Seattle area I know of two who have closed their doors. I’ve only been here a few months. Hold on to the Dinosaurs for dear life.