This Old Dog Just Learned A New Trick

I'm not entirely sure what triggered this whole process.



Perhaps it was the stack of 15+ large plastic bins of books in our storage area.....



Could have been the fact that I listened to multiple podcasts discuss the topic in the last week or so....



Probably combined with the growing list that one of those podcasts has created for me....



Or the conversation I had with my BKB....



Certainly the call for feedback that I put onto Facebook was very influential...



As was the craziness surrounding packing for the failed vacation...



And a recent discovery on my library's website.



Irregardless of the reasons, in the last week I have completely changed my mind about something I once held sacred.



Friends, I want an e-reader. Specifically, I'm going to start saving up for an iPad.



I love books. I love everything about them - from the smell of the paper (which is why I can't do used book stores - they smell of old and unwanted) to the artwork on the front to the words inside. The physical presence of a book has always only meant good for me. I confess that when e-readers came out I scoffed. Why on earth would anyone want to sacrifice their reading pleasure for the sake of a gadget? I even laughed when Mom bought Dad a kindle for Christmas. Those silly things could NEVER take the place of an actual book.



Oh, how silly I was.



When I found myself starting to research the options a couple of weeks ago I knew that one thing stood in the way of me taking the leap...and that was serious doubt as to how I would feel actually reading a book in such a format. Thanks to my parents, who loaned me that kindle, I now have an answer to that. I had expected - hoped even - to hate it. To my great surprise, I discovered that not only was the experience undiminished by the switch, but in some ways it was even better. A world of possibility is starting to open up.



To keep a long story short, I have spent a lot of time in the last couple of weeks researching my options. When I started, my husband made the comment that if I bought a Kindle or a Nook I would quickly regret it because I would want so much more. He was right, and that's why I've decided that the iPad will be the way to go for me. This isn't going to happen anytime soon. (Seriously, we have to fix the kitchen floor and get a new dishwasher before any fun stuff can even be considered!) However, I am getting excited thinking about the fun I will someday have...and I'm also going to stop buying books until that can happen.



Now I just have to start saving!



PS. There is a caveat. I will always feel the need to own some books in physical form...and that's ok, too. This is meant to add to - not take away from - my reading life.

Comments

Paula said…
I agree. I have both the Kindle and the Nook but there are still certain books that I would rather read/own in hard copy. I'm sure it is just a matter of time before I get an iPad but I'm happy for now. You will enjoy it!
Leciawp said…
I've been thinking about getting a kindle/ipad for a long time...to supplement reading the printed word, not to replace it.

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