We all know that technology has altered the way that we live, communicate and understand the world around us. One of the biggest innovations in the world of books has been the advent of e-books. No longer do people have to carry around huge bags full of books that weigh heavily on the back as we struggle to haul them about. Now we can carry hundreds of books on one small tablet.
If we choose to, that is.
Many readers prefer to remain with the world of printed novels and I'm sure that none of us would deny that there is something special about picking up a beautifully bound new book. The feel, the weight, the smell and even the sound as you open it up for the very first time... It all adds up to something truly special. And yes, I know, spoken like a true book-worm!
But however special a printed novel is, even I have to admit that there are a few problems. The biggest for me, is storage. I have around eight hundred novels on my kindle at the moment, along with five audiobooks; most of those books are novels that I do not own printed copies of. While I am sure that the elite in our society would not have a problem finding space for an additional eight hundred novels, I definitely would.
Living in a two bedroom flat, there is not the room to house an additional eight hundred books so in that way my kindle has been invaluable in allowing me to read novels I would not have been able to, otherwise. I do, of course, use my local library quite extensively - as we all should if we want to keep the Government from removing them from our locale. But I can't suddenly change my mind in the middle of the night and read a library book that is not already in my possession.
Having the kindle means that I can flick to a different novel with a couple of presses of the keyboard. For me, there is also the additional benefit that the light weight and size of the kindle means that it is less painful to hold. I can only read printed novels on rare occasions now, even with my book stand, as not only are they painful to hold, my eyesight can vary while I am reading. It is much easier to alter the size of the text on an electronic book; something that is impossible on a printed novel.
So, yes, I am a fan of e-books and I do believe that they have a place. However I still love - and always will - printed novels. I have a number of limited edition signed books that mean a lot to me simply because they are beautiful items that deserve a place in my home.
Oh - plus in all honesty I really wouldn't like to troll through an e-book version of some of my academic text books. I have just glanced to my right and my copy of The Oxford Classical Dictionary, third edition revised (Hornblower and Spawforth) looking back at me. I paled slightly at the thought of an e-book version of that.
Ebooks are useful when travelling, especially when on a long trip. However, I am increasingly reading books on personal development and this means I am now doing the one thing that always horrified me! I am writing in my books, scawling in them and highlighting passages.
ReplyDeletePart of me wants to stand me against the wall and be shot!
With an ebook it is not as easy to make notes etc. and until this is addressed I will continue to plague my wife with my ever growing library.