Then again, some things have changed. For instance, for Christmas I received a Kindle. Some people have had a Kindle for years, but up until now I’ve resisted such a device.
To me there’s nothing more relaxing and satisfying than going in a bookstore, checking out my favorite authors and seeing if they have anything new. If they do, my choice is quickly made; if they don’t, I like to wander between the racks, browsing what’s on offer.
A new book is savored: the look and feel of the cover, the scent of the paper and the ink, the start of a new adventure.
For this reason a Kindle never appealed to me. There’s no feel, there’s no scent, and the reader can’t turn pages. And how does one mark a particular page for future reference?
Still, I received a Kindle for Christmas, and I had to at least give it a go. And I have to admit, it’s not as bad as I thought.
For me, the biggest advantage is that it’s small and light. It’s fits in my bag without hardly taking up any space, and because it’s light my bag doesn’t weigh as much as it did with a real book (better for my shoulder and back).
An e-reader also comes in handy for people who have trouble sleeping. They can read a few pages of their book without having to switch on a light, disturbing their partner.
It’s also convenient to shop for a book from home. Personally I enjoy visiting a bookstore, but I can imagine that for some people it’s a hassle. Who wants to go out when it’s blistering hot, freezing cold, raining cats and dogs or the roads are treacherous?
Another advantage of an e-reader is the availability of new books. I’m always frustrated that when my favorite British authors release a new book, they tell me that I’ll have to wait a few months before it’s available in Canada.
Last but not least, how much longer will it be before printed books and bookstores all but disappear? Just last month the World’s Biggest Bookstore was demolished. Chapters Indigo didn’t think it profitable enough and so they did away with it (no doubt for a handsome profit).
Change is good, so they tell me, but I can’t help feeling sorry for future generations who might never experience the joy of feeling and smelling a real book.