The words “curling up with a good book” evoke cozy thoughts of finding a quiet corner of the house, the company of interesting characters weaving a story of intrigue, romance, or struggle, a crackling fire, and a cup of tea by your side. Or a vodka tonic. Your choice.
![Reading[Day12]*](https://i0.wp.com/farm1.static.flickr.com/142/355369679_236316a33f_n.jpg "Reading[Day12]*")
Like my new fuzzy slippers? Photo credit: Chapendra
“Curling up with an electronic device” doesn’t have the same power of imagery.
When Amazon announced the introduction of the Kindle and promised it would change with way we read books forever, I scoffed.
Yeah, right. Books a thing of the past? Never.
How could an eBook, made of plastic, glass, and radioactive electrodes, replace the feel, smell, and magic of the printed word? There is something comforting in the heft of a book in your hands. Or the knowledge that the dog-eared copy of your favorite book is on your nightstand to soothe you back to sleep in the middle of the night should a bad dream trouble your slumbers.
Well, I was wrong-o about my opinion of eBooks and their power to change our relationship with books. I own a Kindle Fire and love everything about it. I scoff no more.
Being the great and powerful oracle that I am, I also pooh-poohed the Internet the first time I used our painfully slow dial-up modem. As the prophet of all things technological, I said, “This will never catch on.”
Make note: Don’t listen to any of my predictions.
Now, eBooks are revolutionizing our beloved libraries as well. San Antonio, Texas is home to the first 100% bookless public library. By bookless, I mean nary a printed book to be found.
According to an article by the Associated Press, “Texas has seen the future of the public library, and it looks a lot like an Apple Store: Rows of glossy iMacs beckon. iPads mounted on a tangerine-colored bar invite readers. And hundreds of other tablets stand ready for check-out to anyone with a borrowing card.” Even the librarians are dressed in “that standard-bearer of geek-chic, the hoodie.”
I thought the hoodie was the signature style of Treyvon Martin, not techno-geeks. But I digress.
Back to the issue at hand . . . think the idea of all-digital libraries is pretty darn coolio. However, I have one caveat. Let’s not scrub real-book libraries. They are wondrous places that offer non-narcotic mind-blowing trips to magical places via storytelling on the printed page. Plus, Marion, Madame Librarian, doesn’t look good in a hoodie.
This post is for you, Audra!
Now that is what I call a library. The main reading romm of Graz University Library (19th century) Photo credit: Wikipedia
Robin Coyle 
I love my kindle…truly! But I do like the feel of a physical book in my hands as well.
Same here. Nothing beats the feel of a good book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Wine bottle opened with your shoe, of course!
On Wed, Jan 15, 2014 at 12:53 PM, Robin Coy
Hee Hee!
I love, love, love my kindle because it allows me to have as many books as I want. But I won’t be getting rid of any of my real books either. They are all precious. It’s good to see you online again!
It is good to be back on-line. I was away for too long. But the void created by not blogging was quickly filled with other matters.
There is always something to be done!
Seriously.
I can’t imagine a world without real books, or real libraries. What regression that would be.
Your techno predictions made me laugh because I was just as astute as you.
I said “Who will ever use this e-mail thing anyhow?” Then “No one will want to read books on screens!” Ergo, I’ve also warned my family not to listen to any tech predictions I offer!
And who would have thought that communicating via 140 character messages would take off! Not me!
I felt the same way you did until I got a mini Kobo for Christmas from my youngest son and I absolutely love it — I love it and books, and love that I have a very portable way to read more than one book–I am a bit addicted but love that I can get some of the classics free–Middlemarch being a favourite.
I hadn’t heard of the Kobo. I, too, love that you can carry a entire library of books on an eReader and if you don’t like what you are reading or when you finish a book, presto-chango, download a new one!
Well, Robin, it is so great to see your name appear in my email of new posts again! I have missed you, Dear Friend. I can’t even think of when the last time we electronically talked was. Was I published at all then? I have changed a lot; I know that. I imagine you have, too. Regardless, good to hear from you. I agree with the e-books thing. I love my Kindle and my PC. It is wonderful to have so many choices when I go out to eat and read. Even better has been the wonderful invention of the USB portable charger. Here is a device that is about the size of a lighter with a cord and will recharge my kindle for several hours when I forget! Love it.
I do still like seeing and touching books, though.
Scott
I think the last time we talked was over the summer. I have been absent for much longer than I thought I would be. Nice to be chatting again!
Wait, wait, wait! You are published? How awesome! Tell me about it! Traditionally or self?
About the whole charging thing and Kindles. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve trotted off to bed to read and my Kindle is out, or nearly out of juice. Maddening.
First, those chargers can be bought online at various online stores (nomorerack.com is one). They are only about $5-10 each.
As for the writing, 6 stories, 4 are traditional through Kevin Bufton from England (4 anthologies), 1 is a donation through one of our own), and the final is in an online magazine that is now out of business. As of the end of Feb, Kevin will no longer be offering the 4 books, sot hey will be out of print. Oh, yes, 4 are in both print / Kindle, 1 online, and 1 just book.
There you are caught up. I am currently writing a novella-type of horror entitled “Keeping Watch” and have devoted a page to it on my blog. Check it out when you have a moment.
Great to hear from you,
Scott
I love reading books, so it’s not a surprise that I also love our library. I can’t imagine our library without real books, it just makes me feel happy like I can go through them and touch them and take my time to feel the pages and see if that book is nice. I also read books on iPad, especially when travelling. But holding a book is totally different from reading on an electronic gadget.
I agree on your opinion, hopefully I still get to experience library filled with books and not technology until I get old.
Libraries have a magical quality to them for me. It is like time stands still and the world goes away when I walk though the door. I feel the same way about bookstores.
Bookstores, I agree too! I stay there for minimum of half an hour!
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Personally? I think Kindles and Books serve different purposes. I still love books, I love the feel of a great book sitting in my lap in front of the fire with a G&T by my side. Kindles on the other hand are wonderful on the plane, when traveling.
I would hate to see libraries without real books. But would love to see them with research access via Kindles.
So you are a G and T gal, not V and T? Excellent beverage of choice. I recently traveled by plane. I walked to the back of the plane and not one, NOT ONE person was reading a paper book. Everyone had some sort of eReader. They are so handy for travel.
I was extremely excited when I went to the local library recently and saw people reading their kindles there. It’s still a meeting hub and that made me very happy.
I do curl up with my kindle at night because it’s so much lighter than a book ( usually) and easier to roll around with. (OK that sounds dirty. 🙂 )
That made me laugh. It did sound a little dirty.
I love that I can read my Kindle Fire in bed in the middle of the night and not have to turn on the light. eReaders will become ubiquitous at some point (if not already) and I wonder if one day we will be saying, “Remember the old days when we read paper books?” It might be akin to when we watched a black and white TV!
Like the old radio shows. The younger generations will say “what!”
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I was exactly the same. Kicking and screaming was how I thought I’d join the ebook revolution, but I’m so glad I did. Not only so I could read books that were only available on Kindle, but after realising that even a 700+ pager weighed the same as a 50 page short-story. My poor arthritic hands could rejoice and cope with reading anything.
And your point about “Make note: Don’t listen to any of my predictions.” I’m more than willing for you to privately let me know of your concerns so I can go buy stock 😉
Just between us, Apple will never be big. Or Amazon. Shhhhh . . . don’t tell anyone.
I won’t 😉
I love libraries. They offer so much to communities. 🙂 I still like real books as much as reading things on the computer.
Remember when we were in high school and we would go to the library to ostensibly study. What I was studying was the cute boys who were also ostensibly studying. Now that is what I call a community!
lol. I do remember that. 🙂 I went to a small school so it was a small community.
I use both real books and my Sony Reader. Lately, I’ve read more real books. I just can’t get past the feel of a paper book. I do hope we never get away to nothing but electronic media. That would be a shame.
It would be a crying shame if paper books go the way of the dinosaurs. It can’t happen. There are too many of us book lovers around.
I was reading an actual book out in public, and someone had to make a nasty little comment about me being unable to get with the times. I replied, “No, I’m unwilling.” I have a Kindle on which I have downloaded only fellow bloggers’ books. I do not enjoy reading books on the Kindle. I think a huge reason is that I am on my computer so much of my day that reading a book on anything digital is not relaxing to me. I know many people love the convenience of having their own library on a portable device. I am not one of them. Call me the poster child for Old-fashioned. 😉
Good for you for single-handedly buoying up traditional book sales! Well, maybe not single-handedly. I heard from a lot of you that eReaders will never replace the warm spot we have in our hearts for a printed book. Have you posed for your poster shot yet?
Totally agree! I love my kindle and my local library equally and use them both, lots! As long as we all keep using the “proper” book libraries they will stay open.
One thing we haven’t talked about is audiobooks. Was there hew and cry when they first came out and outrage that they may replace printed books? No! All three have a place in our reading world.
I hope not. nice slippers. 🙂
Aren’t those slippers awful!?
Nope, I’d wear them.
I must be really behind, I’m still listening to audiobooks! 😉 I do love reading books on my phone kindle app though, it’s nice to know I’ve always got a book with me, as long as I’ve got my phone.
I recently drove from Sacramento to Portland and listened to audiobooks both ways. It made the 10 hour drive fly by! I wasn’t even tired when I arrived at my destination. I love being read to.
I do too! It’s so relaxing. 🙂
It’s good to hear from you again, Robin!
I do appreciate my eReader, but I cannot part with my print books. The idea of a digital library honestly does not sound appealing to me, because I always associate libraries with rows and rows of glossy spines just waiting for me to run my fingers over them. I doubt a digital library can offer the same feel!
Hello Zen! I agree with you. If I want to visit someplace high-tech, I’ll stop by my local Apple store. If I want to breathe in the wonderful comfort of books, it is the library for me!
Libraries allow for the tangible. One can take their time to read and reread, to make note of items of interest. There are plenty of books I can buy via the e-book stores, however the wonderful freedom and joy of discovering of paying a small fee to buy a book from the Friends of the Library sale wall provide better returns. Libraries with books on the shelves are not, nor will they ever be, a thing of the past.
Thanks again for the pingback. The thought of no libraries with books and only digital libraries sounds a little too Robocop-ish to me.
I spent some time last week in a library that I know will have paper books as long as it exists—the Library of Congress in DC. But I hate to think it would be one of the last places to find them.
My Kindle is fine for most reading, and you can’t beat the ease of carrying all those books in one device. But some books will always deserve good-quality printing, paper, and binding.
I’ve been known to love a book I read on my Kindle so much I buy the hardback version for my bookshelf. I’m funny that way about books.
My uncle took us to the Library of Congress. He said, “I want you to walk in, look up, and be prepared to be awed.” Wow. No kidding, Uncle Mitchell! What a magnificent space. I would love to go again.
Funny thing — I was there too at the Library of Congress last week. I’m planning a blog post on it soon. I wonder if I and jmmcdowell passed each other in a hallway or gallery?
I think there’ll still be the traditional libraries around. Too many people like traditional books, plus not every community will be able to afford to upgrade.
Quite the coincidence! My husband and I were there on Monday to see the Civil War exhibit in the Jefferson Building. It was his first trip there, and I enjoyed seeing his reaction to the mosaics. The Library doesn’t get the publicity of the Smithsonian Museums, which is really a shame.
That Civil War exhibit was great, wasn’t it? I was there last Friday & loved it. Great stuff, especially the contents of Lincoln’s pockets and Walt Whitman’s haversack.
Indeed it was. Seeing those artifacts gave me such a feeling of closeness to the event. Funny, we didn’t plan the holiday break this way, but we also saw the photographic exhibit, “Mr. Lincoln’s Washington,” at the Portrait Galley and took in “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s Theatre. A very Lincolnesque holiday now that I think of it.
I love it when conversations start between fellow commenters. Go ahead . . . talk amongst yourselves like I’m not even here. I’ll just sit in the corner while you ignore me. Sigh.
Hmm, I’m usually the one sitting quietly in the corner…. Come out this way to visit, and I bet we’d both love to meet up with you. 🙂
Wouldn’t that be fun! We could do the Library of Congress together!
That would be a blast! Although I strongly suggest not coming out here when the thermometer hasn’t risen above 12F and the wind is blasting at the windows. Brrr! 😦
Yeah . . . I’ll wait for the spring thaw. Stay warm and safe!
I find it not coolio at all! I own no Kindle. I cherrish the riffle of pages, the texture of paper, and the intoxicating smell of bound leather.
If this is the future of libraries, then I better make a more concerted effort to build up my own.
That said, I find your inability to predict the next big thing to be intriguing. What other trends do you think will not succeed? (I have my stock broker on speed dial.)
I predict that the iPhone will go nowhere.
I’m with you on loving how we use all five senses when we read a book. Well, maybe not taste unless you are a baby who gnaws on a board book while teething.
Another cool thing about the Kindle Fire is I can read it in the middle of the without turning on the light and disturbing my husband. While I was going through all the worries about my uncle there were a lot of sleepless nights around here.
Hi Robin!
Good to see you, and congrats on the stealth mention by BBC. I love my Kindle and have gotten so spoiled in using it. Point in fact, yesterday, I bought the Kindle version of a hardback book that I had been reading because the hardback is heavy, isn’t illuminated and I’ve become so accustomed to the ease of reading with my ebook, that the hardback was annoying (heavy and cumbersome). I’ll use the hardback for reference.
But I love libraries, too. Even have one in my own home. I agree with Audra. Libraries are magical places that honor the world of print. I think they are adjusting to the digital world with the ability to loan eBooks and the offering of computers and iPads for their patrons.
Cathy
Halllooooo Cathy!~
I’ve done the opposite. When I love a book on my Kindle, I buy it in hardback for my real library.
I love the ability to look up words on the Kindle and highlighting favorite passages to go back to reread. I also highlight bad passages so when it comes to discussing the book at book group or with a friend I can defend why I didn’t like the book! Or even to remind myself to not write like that!
I hope libraries aren’t a thing of the past. I think there can be room for ebooks and physical ones. There are still families out there who can’t afford to buy tablets or ereaders for their children. Those fertile minds need somewhere to go and explore…and their parents deserve the right to read, too.
Plus, where would we keep all the non “juicy” reading material? You know, encyclopedias, history books, philosophy books….research material for school papers? I don’t want to waste the space on my tablet with that kind of book… My ereader is purely for fun and pleasure. 😀
I understand that many students (at all levels) now have their textbooks on eReaders. So many benefits to that. Backpacks that don’t weigh 60 pounds, instant new editions, the ability to highlight passages, etc. This current generation is saved from years of back pain! But I am with you. I would never let the textbooks mingle with my pleasure reading. Two devices for me!
I’m sure that ereaders are probably causing a loss of income for the orthopedic docs & chiropractors.
Hey Ms. Robin. Well, I’ve been reading more with my Kindle app only because it’s handy, and I can buy a book without having to wait to get to the store. However, I read an article that said that it seems like ebook sales are starting to level off, and the old fashioned books are selling again. I’m not sure if the link I’m sharing has that info, but it does discuss a survey of young people in the UK regarding ebooks. Thought you might find it interesting. This doesn’t have to do with libraries, but I’m thinking it might turn out being 50/50 between hard copies and ebooks. So, hopefully libraries will offer both.
Good to see you at it again.
http://floridawriters.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/industry-news-uk-young-adults-prefer-print-a-really-expensive-book-and-an-intellectual-property-skirmish-worth-noting/
Thanks for sharing the link. That is very interesting. I would have predicted that the younger generation was eschewing paper for the digital book. I have heard about an anti-Amazon and chain bookstore movement. Independent book stores dropped like flies a few years ago and now people are refusing to bow to the powers of Amazon and supporting their local book stores. I like that idea. There is a similar movement against Starbucks where people are going to indy coffee houses. Nice.
Nothing compares to the hallowed halls of a library.
Nothing.
I love the atmosphere.
The feeling of being surrounded by hundreds of years of human creativity.
The sheer joy of the unknown waiting to be discovered.
Am I right?
As always, my dear Hook, you are entirely correct.
Our local library looks like a quonset hut. The building is so ugly. However, when you walk in, you are immediately filled with comfort and peace.
i do not have a kindle or nook. my concern: reading a book in bed helps me get to sleep, and i’ve heard reading from a screen has the opposite effect. what is your experience?
The screen hasn’t been a problem for me but I have heard the advice that you shouldn’t have any electronics in the bedroom . . . not even your alarm clock . . . as it can effect your sleep. Reading is such a sleep narcotic for me, I rarely get more than a few pages read.
Oh, I read this the other day and I thought it was very sad. Have you seen the movie Robot and Frank? It’s set in the near future and the local library gets rid of all its books to go digital. Just seeing it on the screen makes you realize what a sad world we would live in. I’m all for paperless in many circumstances, especially for magazines and newspapers, but I think many books deserve to be printed.
I should add we have a tablet at home. My kids use it for games but don’t like to read books on them. It doesn’t help that stupid Google often doesn’t display the pages right, especially for children’s books. I think my kids realize that nothing beats holding a large, colorful picture book in their hands, or putting a chapter book down anywhere they want. I’ve read a couple of books on that tablet and I don’t like it either. The ongoing scrolling on the page is ridiculous. It might be good for slow readers but it drives me nuts. When I read a paper book, I can scan 2 pages at once without having to scroll or flip. So much faster and more convenient.
OK, last part of my rant. You should take a look at “It’s a book!” by Lane Smith. In it, a donkey is given a book and doesn’t know what to do with it. He wants to know how to plug it in, how to scroll, download, etc. The last line cracks us up all the time, “it’s a book, jackass!” (remember he’s a donkey). Yeah, that’s how kids will be in a few years staring at a book. Some little kids already don’t know what it is and how it works, trying to swipe the pages (I’ve seen it with my own eyes). Sigh.
I have not seen the movie Robot and Frank. Perhaps it was filmed at the new library in San Antonio! It sounds sad.
When I was about 5-years-old, my mom didn’t let me spend the night at my friend’s house because it was a school night. So, being the rascal that I am, I ran away from home. Of course my mom knew exactly where I was and marched me home. My punishment? She refused to read me a bedtime story. I thought she was cruel to take that away from me! Cruel! I love how you have instilled the love of reading with your boys.
“It’s a Book!” sounds adorable. I should give it to my great-neice (6-years-old) who has her own iPad and doesn’t read real books. Sigh.
Oh, you should get your niece that book, along with “Goodnight iPad”, which I just read with my kids (we had a good laugh). And you should watch Robot and Frank, it’s a great movie, for many reasons.
While I too have a iPad, the library card is still used – one is just easier to haul around ebooks on trips.
Don’t weep – I know the librarians and libraries of San Antonio – it’s a very large system with many fine shelves of real books. They have been ahead of the pack with innovations and it’s smart to use e-libraries in some areas – easy access is important to the neighborhoods.
Yes, their literacy rate is low – check the demographics. Many new arrivals(and there is a constant flow) have little schooling – but they push their kids to learn. The library system was one of the first in the country to build a Spanish language collection for all ages: fiction and non fiction – with books from many different Spanish speaking authors, not just Mexican ones (it may all be Spanish, but there are differences in vocabulary and usage) Also the libraries function as a town center with special events/story time/ homework/movies sessions for the kids and while the parents wait, ESL classes – all free.
Get them into the library and you can make readers for life. That’s the goal of librarians – and they’ve figured out another way to encourage that with technology – which kids love and are used to in schools now.
Their main downtown building also has some amazing glass sculptures (donated).
Enjoy real books and know, they will be around for a long long time. (but that story makes great press – it’s about time for the big library conferences: ALA in Jan., Tx’sTLA is about April….now that’s a book lover’s dream event)
I saw in the article that San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the US but ranks 60th in literacy. That is really something! I meant to comment in this post about how the digital libraries will appeal to the younger generation and attract, as you said, “readers for life.” I wonder where California ranks.
I must ask . . . are you a librarian?
No, but at one time sold books to libraries with an international company that represented 99% of Spanish language authors/publishers. We were working to be the Amazon of Spanish language books.
Sadly the schools(worked with them, too – but they have different focus) are so into test driven reading skills, that read for enjoyment and love of reading is struggling to survive there.
San Antonio libraires were one of my favorites – great people, seriously love books and getting people in the doors. The big one is very near the river walk area…with a lovely patio. Outstanding bunch.
Libraries are a great places to hangout
Don’t get me started on test-driven teaching! Teach to the test is killing the American educational system and the children are the innocent victims.
I wired my jaws shut a bit back…still mumbles sometimes…people do not understand what is being destroyed and lost…no PE classes, no joy of reading, no creative thought valued…just multiple guess testing. Sitting down now.
No art, no music, no field trips, no fun. Rant all you want.
Funny thing. In the 70’s Japan sent many of their top educators to the US to try and figure out why US students became more creative/ inventive adults that built amazing ideas and products. They realized their polite regmented students who learned by rote, repetition, memorization and were terrified by testing which set career paths was not forming the adults who would create the products/life of the future. My parents hosted one school master for a couple of months while he observed schools.(He had little respect for the arts – even with a son who eventually ended up into photography much to his parent’s scorn and despair..we are talking suicidal – both father and son – My father stayed in touch with them both for a long long time and eventually visited them in Japan. He wrote many letters on the validity of art and creative people)
Now look at who’s students are at the top? Interesting?
And taking all the slots in the universities. At least in California they are. Not to sound racist, but that they earned the place because of academic merit.
Uh, yeah…pretty much everywhere…top spots in high schools, med schools. Our “kids” are being told everyone’s a winner, don’t have competitions because someone might get their feelings hurt..just share and play nice ….no reason to risk or explore.
Sounds like big trouble to me
I have to be honest , I cringed at that article about San Antonio library. My God what would happen to me? Where are my lovely books… I love technology and ebook but a library encompasses print… In all forms. It’s a place to sit, ruminate and harass your local librArian. Thanks lady. You’ve made me smile !!
What would happen to you is you would become even more of a techno-wizard than you already are! Or, you could take all books and giving them a loving home. I’m sure you have room. I’ll take a few myself to help you out.
But getting lost in the stacks, thumbing through the books, hearing them whisper to me in the confines of the library… Oh they must stay
They have a good home in the library under your watchful eye.
I hope so. Good post lady. Good to see you again 🙂
Thanks, Madame Librarian.
Nice slippers, BTW. I got a pair of leopard fuzzball slippers for Christmas.
How stylish we are!
How sad it would be if we actually see the demise of the book. And will our stories be written with emoticons and acronyms and short forms such as “how r u?” Oh lordy I hope not. Maybe they will have scratch ‘n’ sniff kindles that provide the smell of old books – ?
I’m sure Kindle and Apple are working on a scratch-n-sniff app as we speak! I read a book recently that had “OMG” in the dialog. I set the book aside and moved on.
I am in awe of the hallowed walls within a library. The photo above is especially breathtaking and I can smell the peace within, like the incense in a church.
With my new iPad I shall be transferring about two dozen books I’ve collected on my PC Kindle. Hope I’ll get used to reading this new hand held reading device. I don’t need to hope because I know we adjust no matter how we fight at first.
I would hate if all the brick and mortar libraries and paper bound books disappeared,
Nice to see you back.
I love the smell of libraries too. An electronic device will never stimulate our sense of smell unless there is a short and it starts a fire.
I thought I would have a hard time adjusting to my Kindle but took to it immediately.
Nice to be back!
Nice to see you back.
The Kindle does have its advantages… 😀
I love both! Kindle is great for carrying a book with you wherever you go, and Carrie is right about the treadmill (not that I would know, hahaha). But I still like to curl up on the couch with physical books of my favorite authors . . . It’s like having an affair without all the trouble 😉
As I said to Carrie, one of the best thinks about the eReader is the ability to take dozens of books with you when you travel without the need to hire a sherpa. In my case, my sherpa is my husband, so he is grateful. Maybe that is the reason he gave the Kindle to me for my birthday!
I love your affair analogy. What author are you currently flirting with?
And then there’s the discussion that revolves around researching “original sources.” Just what is an “original” if all is digital?
Another excellent point. BTW, I was a grant writer too. We have something in common!
As someone who’s written and edited grants focusing on the “have nots,” it’s scary to think that this is coming to pass. Public libraries attempt to level the playing field for those who have limited access to resources (and I use the word “attempt” because I know how people have to queue to use the Internet and other digital resources at the library, or wait for books to become available, or worse yet, find that the book they’re looking for is MIA). And if owning a digital device is becoming an additional requirement for access, then there will be millions whose access will become even more limited.
Well, that is an excellent point. They have eReaders to check out, but only so many. What if a kid has a research report due but can’t get a eReader because they are all gone? Hmmmmm. That is a problem.
Story makes great press for people who don’t tealize that libraries offer FREE downloadable ebooks and perhaps the demand will give libraries a little leverage to push back to the publishers and their pricing models.
Why did my comment post twice? Delete! Sorry
I have a Nook. It’s fantastic. Does tons of stuff. I’ll take a real book over it any day. Glad to see you back!! 🙂
Hi Jenny! Did you see my post from the day after New Year’s? I think you will get a kick out of it. Hope you are well, my friend!
Yup. A real book bets out a Kindle or Nook every time. It is hard to curl up with plastic!
I love using my e-reader when I’m on the treadmill or eating. Don’t have to worry about the pages flopping shut. But I still enjoy curling up with a paper book, too. I can’t imagine a bookless library. I think there’s plenty of room for both. 🙂
The notion of an all-digital library fashioned after a sleek, high-tech, all white Apple store doesn’t sound very cozy. When I think library, I think dark wood, comfy chairs, and the musky smell of old-books. I hope it isn’t a trend to sterilize libraries.
One of the best things about the eBook is the ability to take dozens of books with you when you travel without the need to hire a sherpa!
You’re such a cute writer. I blame it on all the reading you’ve done in my lifetime. So inspiring! I agree with your opinion about eBooks.. But knowing you, you will ALWAYS have an amazing collection on the book shelf!
Aw gee, thanks honey! I will never let go of our books. I’ve been known to love a book on my Kindle and then buy it in hardcopy for the shelf! I’m silly.