GEEKERY  
ADVENTURE  
CONTEMPLATION  

20090917

Electronic books. Bah.

Real, tangible, books will never go out of style. Even Google realizes this. There's just something awe-inspiring about a floor-to-ceiling library, piles of books in a used book store, or a single copy of an old hardback tome. Something about propping the book open by sticking it under the lip of your dinner plate, using your finger to hold your place, licking your finger to turn a page. Something about getting mad when it gets wet, crying when a page falls out, or finding someone else's notes in the margin. I love the way the pages feel, how the binding glue smells, and how you can feel the weight of it. There's a history to physical objects, and a surety of your ownership. Admittedly, I wouldn't have minded a kindle for my textbooks in College, but even still, I'm glad I still have them. I'll always have them. I love my books.

10/21 update: Okay, I admit, this is cool. Sharing ebooks? Thank heavens. So I can see a world in which we aren't burdened by as many physical objects. Less clutter, less hassle while moving. There are definitely some advantages. It would still make me sad not to have a big ol' library, not to smell the books, but I could deal. In order for me to convert completely, there are a few rules. 1) The must sell obscure and out of print books like "China Court" and "Mormon Sisters." eBook selection is still severly lacking. 2) They must sell books for as cheap or cheaper than I can get them at used book stores and library sales. I can get 50 cent paperbacks and dollar hardbacks easily. I'd settle for $1.50 for a novel since electronic format would last longer, but the current prices are nowhere near that low. Anyone see a market niche for a book selling equivalent of iTunes? iBooks, maybe? Or are we moving away from the app world?

1 comment:

JBB said...

Remove that one off your Christmas list.