The allure of holding a new book in my hands is addictive. I love my books. I eagerly anticipate going to the bookstore, be it the nearest Barnes and Noble or the Sam's club and searching for that book cover that catches my eye or that new release I've been dying to read. The drive home with my new book requires my windows to be down and the radio to be turned up as a reflection of my uplifted spirits. No matter how hard of a week I've had, a new book can always lift me out of my funk.
Once I've arrived at home, cleaned the house quickly, done the dishes, wrangled my youngest into the bath, listened to the drama of my two older girl's lives, and watched a few innings of my husband's latest sports passion, I finally get to lay back and crack open the new book. I can honestly say that there are few other things in life that can compete with the crisp pages of a new book and reading that opening paragraph. Okay, books are my vice-my only vice. Okay, okay, after Diet Coke and Twizzlers.
As I watched another mother at my daughters' cheer practice last week, I couldn't get past how pleased she looked with her Kindle. Technically it is a book, but is it? Hmmmmmmm. I watched her as she smiled at parts that she read, but she never turned a page. The lady next to her asked her what she was reading and when she told her they both gushed about how wonderful the story was. Hmmmmmmm.
It seems cold and impersonal to me. This ebook/digital book thing. I know it is the thing of the future, but I just don't think I could ever give up that feeling of owning a new book. Is it the same to purchase the story electronically as it is to drive out and pick up a copy that you can hold in your hands? The book jacket making you wonder how it relates to the story inside. Hmmmmmm.
I just had to know so I asked her the above questions. Surprise of surprises she agreed with me! Not only does she love having the actual book, she is addicted to buying books as well. The only difference is that she buys books that she's not sure she will like electronically. If she loves the story she will then go out and actually by the book. If not, then she's saved the trouble of having gone out to get it. Makes sense to this busy mom.
Things in the publishing/book industry are changing rapidly to keep pace with this world that are changing at breakneck speed. I guess I've finally realized that ebooks and digital options are not the threat and the enemy I had painted them as. Instead they are options and who doesn't like options?
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