“RealBooks” or E-Books
Placing a multitude of books back upon our shelves, I ponder whether or not these books held in my hand will someday be considered collector items or just "trash" to be disposed of when Husband's and my days are over. A recent evening of a Thank You Celebration is also on my mind. Youngest Son, most grateful for his published novels, invited some families who had read the rough drafts of his books before publication and had given honest and helpful criticism. A book theme was used to give structure to our evening and our guests were asked to bring a book or two to share with the rest of us. The idea was to elicit how these books had taught or entertained each participant in some way.
The evening was magnificent and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Husband and I decided our decorations would be the books that most influenced our lives. I had a grand time the morning of our celebration placing different piles of our books around the house. Those classics that have inspired our walk with the Lord, great literature, how-to books, thrifty tip books, and our favorites read to our children not so long ago.
Now as I hold these volumes in my hand (Husband said the day was like walking around with our best friends), I revel in the pages as I place them again upon our bookshelves. Some of our books show much use and bring back many a memory. Firstborn Son commented the evening of our celebration about his memories of our reading The Little House on the Prairie series under blankets in our drafty house and my heart remembers too.
Now I wonder though with all the emphasis on e-books and Kindles and Nooks and contraptions of that sort, if my books will someday be obsolete and I feel sad. One of my most wonderful childhood memories is entering the basement of my childhood library. It was an incredible building of stone and slate and the basement was the keeper of the children's books. Oh, the smell of the books and damp basement was like perfume to this reader's heart!
I look at these machines that now "house" books and I must confess I wonder about the future of what I call "real books." I tell my children this Nonna will not be reading books on those machines to her grandchildren. I want pages to flip through, covers with pictures to examine and books that show the wear of love and appreciation. Yes, I can see the frugal benefit to these e-readers and how the cost of books is less. And please don't get me wrong. I really appreciate the DHM who so graciously blogs here with free e-books for our consideration. I will confess that there is a nice collection of e-books on my laptop that I do scan from time to time.
It just seems to me that I do not read e-books the same way as "real" books. I love to highlight my books, fold down the pages I want to go back to, and even keep some of my most treasured books close. You should see my Bible! Notes and dates fill the pages as I cherish certain verses and make them my prayers.
Yes, I can see the handwriting on the wall. I have lived through many incredible technological advances and years ago would have marveled at the thought that I would write more with computer keys than my beloved pencil. I just wonder though if I will ever approach books on screen the same as I do those on paper.
So here is my question: Do you find that you read e-books with the same enthusiasm and retention as "real" books? I really would like to know.
Also, I am including a link that really has nothing to do with this topic but is an incredible resource of frugal ideas. Enjoy!
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13 Responses to ““RealBooks” or E-Books”
February 19th, 2013 at 8:07 am
Good Morning,DL!
I enjoyed reading your take on books vs. digital or e-books.
I was given a Kindle for Christmas, from my youngest son; the most avid reader among my own kids. Like you, I read lots of great classics to them when they were younger.
I love a real book- and the summer before last spent some time reading The Little House series as an adult; because I didn’t read them all as a girl.
But–since my kids have grown and my shelves are full of good to GREAT literature–I’ve not emptied them or gotten rid of them. They are part of you…some still waiting to be read the first time and I do, I pull them from the shelf on occasion and read something NEW! I have an extensive library.
I also have books and some classics on my Kindle. I’m learning to utilize that little contraption for road trips and down time. I like it–don’t love it, but enjoy it.
When I first got it, I found myself ‘licking’ my finger before touching the screen! eeew! I know.
I’ve cleaned it since then and broken the habit. But it did make me laugh.
This is getting long–and I don’t want to get political here; but I wanted to say, I will keep my books, because I’m afraid there is coming a time when the books we have will not become so much obsolete …as Illegal.
I read lately how certain history is being rewritten, words removed from our language and labeled “hate”; the Bible of course being one …it is scary.
I will probably be breaking the law one day with how many books I have on my shelves.
Just a thought, or two…:) Pat
February 19th, 2013 at 8:33 am
I do not enjoy e-books near as much as I enjoy a “real” book. For example, I love recipes. I probably have 500 recipes in my binder and try a new one every week. So, while I don’t have an e-reader I’ve bought 2 or 3 ebooks of recipes but they just aren’t the same. I love to sit down with my Betty Crocker or Better Homes and Gardens and just open it up, look through it, explore.
It almost seems like opening up a book is more of an active activity and reading online seems rather passive to me, if that makes sense.
One of my favorite things to read each day is reading a book to bed for my toddler. I couldn’t imagine doing that with an e-reader.
February 19th, 2013 at 9:34 am
Pat:
Your perspective on certain books no longer being “legal” is an interesting one to consider. I agree history is being rewritten and I am so grateful that my shelves house books and audio that focus on what I would call “original history.”
Shannon:
I am with you regarding recipes!
February 19th, 2013 at 10:09 am
I am personally very thankful for the rise of ebooks. As a child, I was raised by non-readers and so books were a treasure because they were so hard to come by. Now you can find countless volumes to read for free online with only your computer if that is the only reader you happen to have.
To my surprise I find I am able to read ebooks faster than their printed counterparts but with the same amount of comprehension. Ebook readers allow you to highlight and bookmark your favorite passages as well as search for your favorite passages with a touch of a button or a click of a mouse. My daughter reads more now since she has an iPod Touch than she ever did with print books cause she can take her favorite volumes and keep them in her pocket to read whenever she has a spare moment in school. I love hearing about the interesting things she has discovered in the latest book she has read!
I love having a whole library on a single device ready to slip in a pocket or purse; years ago I used ebooks on an ancient PDA to continue my education whenever I was waiting in line or on break at work.
In gratitude for this blessed gift I try to only purchase books now in digital format; I will only consider a used print edition after all other options have been considered.
February 19th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Annie:
I really appreciate your sharing your perspective. I must admit I have only read e-books on my laptop and have not tasted the experience of reading on e-book readers. I can see the advantage of having your library so easily contained but then again cannot imagine my home without our bookshelves.
February 19th, 2013 at 10:43 am
Thank you for your reply! Up until a few weeks ago I read ebooks mostly from my laptop (my PDA was not compatible with Kindle). I finally splurged on an iPad mini and it is wonderful! I enjoy it much more than either the laptop or the old PDA.
I am glad that schools are taking the initiative to provide ebooks for students instead of print now-the size and weight difference is astounding! I’ve one app that provides access to over 23,000 books, not including any books available in the Internet archives, on Amazon or the other ebook retailers.
Another thing to consider is the cost of moving all of those physical books. When I left my husband I was forced to leave almost my whole library behind due to financial, space and safety concerns (I had to move quick). With ebooks you just pack up your computer or ereader and you are set!
Some books no longer considered politically correct can be found online where they are no longer available in print form. Many of the stories told to me during my childhood fall under this classification. It is much easier to hide a simple text file than a big book if censorship comes to play.
I only wish the younger generation understood the incredible blessing that they have available of books and knowledge from countless generations all available at the click of a mouse but as they say, things are rarely appreciated until their lack is experienced.
February 20th, 2013 at 7:24 am
Yes, I do, because some of the free books I’ve downloaded are really old, out of print, unavailable to me in any other format unless I were to borrow them from a university library. I remember having to do exactly that during school, about twenty-five years ago–sitting for a whole week of afternoons in a library reference section, working my way through a particular dusty book and not even being able to bring in a coffee or something to improve the mood! And that particular book is now free for the downloading. So I have no complaints!
But I do prefer children’s books to be real books, when possible.
February 20th, 2013 at 8:53 am
Mama Squirrel:
You too give me a better perspective on how electronic downloads can be useful. I must say though that I am pleased you enjoy reading children’s books the “old-fashioned” way.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
I love both options. I love the feel and smell of a book, I love the ACTION of reading a book. But my Kindle is useful in other ways, being smaller/lighter/easier to pack for travel; and it has the advantage of being able to store pdf files which means I can take a knitting pattern with me, without having to take the book said pattern is in. (my opinions only!)
February 21st, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Cherie:
Thanks so much for your perspective. I am so grateful for all who shared in the comments how e-readers can be a useful tool. I doubt I will go out and purchase one,but you just never know.
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:27 am
It doesn’t have to be either/or, ereader or real books. I have two Kindles, and a house full of very full bookshelves. I love my real books. But I love being able to take fifty books with me on a trip and fit them in my bag without adding weight to it. I like my kids being able to read their schoolbooks in the Kindle, bookmark it, and not lose each other’s places. I love being able to look up the meaning of a word in the text immediately. I like the text to voice feature so I can hear the book being read while I drive. I like being able to have my teens read some very old, obscure text without damaging my real, actual, very old and fragile copy. I like being able to email myself a copy of my friend’s collection of children’s bible songs (stories from the Bible, in song, in chronological order), and then send it to my Kindle so I can use to help me sing the Little Boys through the Bible at bedtime without having to stop and hum in the places where I forget the words.
Now, I did pay a total of fifty dollars for these two kindles- one was given to me in exchange for some very light writing work, and the other I bought from a friend for 50 dollars.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Hi, I mentioned this under a recent comment of yours at FIMBY but I’m not sure if you’ll get it there. I just wanted to let you know that I had hoped to purchase your son’s books for my church library but the shipping costs to Alberta would run between $38-$54 using the only two options provided. I was hoping you could pass along my request for a less expensive shipping option to make it a more feasible purchase. Thank you:)
March 15th, 2013 at 8:28 am
I have a 1st gen iPad from craigslist with apps from all the popular e-readers: Kindle, Nook, Overdrive (for library e-books), Kobo. And, of course, a house full of books. I say if you come across a used iPad that’s affordable for you (few and far between, but look out for it), it’s definitely worth it to be able to access different e-book formats. I wouldn’t like to be locked into a specific brand of e-book, though.
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