Eons: View message "Love of Books, Pt. II " in The Deeper Thinkers Group

Message 883 of 1587

Love of Books, Pt. II

Okay, so we all love books. What are your thoughts/feelings about the Kindle (or the Sony version of the same thing)? Before you insist that nothing can replace a physical book (which is true), you should know that the Kindle has a lot of very cool features. Among other things, you can highlight, "write" in it, copy and paste from it, and "search" for words or phrases (very helpful if, like me, you occasionally put a book down for too long, and can't remember who the hell "Phil" is when he shows up again in chapter 22!). So, would you have any interest in a Kindle? Does anyone have one? Hey, think of the space it would free up in your home and the trees it would save!

posted by perpetualstudent

I was about to say that nothing can replace the feeling of having a book in my hands, or the smell of the paper, etc. But nothing can replace the taste of a good tender steak, cooked medium rare, etc., but I have been convinced to "give up" meat by the moral arguments for vegetarianism. So, could I give up books for Kindles? Only if you can save the books on separate drives/disks. I could still keep a hardback copy of my absolutely favorite books (see my blog for the "Top 10"), and I would still have instant access to all my books, just on disks. My wife would love it.

posted by searching1
3 months ago

I briefly considered buying one earlier this year. I agree that they are amazing instruments and would prove very helpful to someone like me who reads a lot.

Still, there is something about books that is magical; the smell of the paper and ink when you first open a new book, the heft of it in your hand or the crisp sound when you turn the page.

I'm probably not the best person to respond to this post since books and I go back before my ability to read. My love for them is rooted not just in the books themselves but in the first words I learned sitting on my father's lap or the soothing sound of words I didn't yet understand from my mother's lips.

I'm certain that the Kindle will be a lovely addition to someone's stash of tech items but I'm resisting adding it to mine just yet. My books and I have a very personal relationship and adding a Kindle to the mix would be akin to taking a lover. I'm just fine with things the way they are.

posted by merlinsflame
3 months ago

Merlin: "My books and I have a very personal relationship and adding a Kindle to the mix would be akin to taking a lover." I love that!! I think it would be best if you kept them as far apart as possible; who knows how a really heavy book my react if it got insanely jealous?!

All: I forgot to mention--books on Kindles are cheaper, too! They're about 9.99 for most titles, I think.

posted by perpetualstudent
3 months ago

My opinion - Yuck. Does that make me philosophically tense?

posted by KaiS
3 months ago

I agree with what all have said about the importance of books in our lives. Have been toying with the idea of a Kindle. The space thing is becoming the tipping point for me, plus the fact that I have a hard time letting go of a book even if it's just light entertaining reading. FYI, I got an email from Amazon that Kindles are "on sale." Haven't checked it out yet but may be joining the ranks of Kindle users. Will be sure to keep it away from my other "loves." Don't want any jealously between the the e-pages and the paper ones. LOL!