Blogomattic A Fine Line Between a Story and Reality

The Bookshelf

Until recently I was not an avid reader. There was the rare occasion that I would find a book that captured me, but it was one book a year at most. While I am sad for all of the good books I didn’t read sooner, I am glad that I encountered so many in the past 3 months. But as I have purchased more and more books, both physical and audible audio books, I have seriously considered getting an Amazon Kindle II to save space and make instant book purchases easier. But in the weeks I have spent mulling the decision over in my mind, and reading in the process, I have realized that switching will not be like moving from CD to MP3 downloads. I was very hesitant to make that switch not because of quality or experience issues, but because I had instant back-ups for my music collection via the disk. I’ll admit to missing cracking open a new CD and thumbing through the book while listening to the tracks in order, but it’s not a big loss. However, loosing the physicality of the book would ruin part of the reading experience, not to mention the trip to the bookstore, and placing the finished book proudly on a shelf.

I adore the sharply trimmed edges of a brand new paperback, the smell of the paper, and the tightly bound spine. Plus, to hold something in my hand that I can physically mark my progress in is such a rarity in today’s world that loosing it would almost be like surrendering fully to computers. Then there is the ultimate loss of going digital; the bookshelf. Sure, I can display my collection with the handy little Goodreads gadget at the side, but something is lost. My bookshelf, however limited it may currently be, is a reflection of me. There is a shelf for books not yet read and books I have completed. My books tell my story. The methodic layout of the books on the shelf reflect where I have been and where I am. In a way, they are everything a photograph cannot be; a true representation of me.

Something else will be lost in the switch to Kindle, the bookstore. No, I don’t particularly care for the drive in to the bookstores (I live 30 minutes from civilization), or the hassle of finding parking at either of my preferred Books a Millions or Barnes & Nobles, and I really don’t much care for the Twilight and anime fan’s setting up camp in the isles, but being surrounded by like people and all the possibilities of good stories, makes the experience fulfilling. With the Kindle you buy from the device. Sure, it saves gas, time, and effort but it would lack the experience.

At some point we each need to draw the line as to how far into the digital age we want to wander. I have abandoned film for digital, CDs for MP3s, and paper for drawing, but I do not see myself ever fully committing to eBook. That’s not to say I will not get a Kindle anyways, but some changes just should not be fully embraced.