This is a continuation of my last Wordless Wednesday post, the words to go with the picture.
As an ex librarian I have never been very keen on the concept of eBooks! I was never going to want to read one.
Then I was offered the chance to review a book offered in this format. I nearly turned the opportunity down as I do not like the idea of reading books on the computer and this would have been my only option!
It was therefore a surprise when my husband offered to buy me a Sony E Reader for my Birthday.
The Sony E Reader actually feels like handling a small book so I am finding it much more reader friendly than I expected it to be.
I have also realised how useful it is going to be when we are travelling. No more trying to squeeze extra paperbacks in the suitcase. I am sure we will still take real books with us, but the extras I have always packed in the past, just in case we run out of reading material can now be in eBook format.
It must be obvious to you all that I love books, otherwise why would I be here writing this Blog? I always thought I tended towards the viewpoint that reading was all about the book. It was only when I started to think about this new to me concept of digital books that I realised that this is not actually true. For many years I have actually been listening to novels first on cassette tapes, then CD's and enjoying the experience. So it is time for me to embrace 21st century technology and start listening to more podcasts and reading eBooks. Which ever way I choose I am still going to be able to discover new characters and places.
I have learnt that my love of books is just as much the physical handling of books as the stories or facts they contain. When we lived in the UK I had a vast collection of books which I trimmed considerably when we moved to Italy. Thanks to sites such as Bookcrossing and Bookmooch I have learnt to be far less possessive about my books, especially paperback fiction. Of course that raises a downside, as eBooks cannot be passed on to others via sites such as these.
I will never part with my non fiction library either though, as for me using the computer to look up facts is just not the same as browsing the pages of a real book!
I have already discovered a couple of other advantages to owning one, besides travelling which I have already mentioned. It is easier to hold in bed which is a bonus. Secondly it takes up less room in my handbag for those times when I am waiting somewhere!
There is also of course the green issue to consider in that more eBooks means we are saving paper. I am concerned though on the impact eBooks will have on the future of libraries and book publishing in general. I am torn on this one as I do like to think I care for the environment!
Although my Sony-reader is never going to replace my beloved books it is a gadget that I am sure I am going to enjoy owning.
What do you think?