Can I remain old school and only read printed books for the rest of my life? The whole world is going digital. I love the feel of the pages pressed between my fingers, love the smell of the binding and the look of the glossy covers. I love being able to clutch a book as I drift off to sleep, knowing my husband will come along and put the bookmark in my place before he clicks off the lamp. My fondest childhood memories are reading aloud to my dad before bed, and ripping open the package of my latest book-of-the-month club arrival just come in the mail. (Danny the Dinosaur, anyone?)
But there are gadgets and gizmos out there, being invented for those high-techies that love them. I admit, I covet an iPhone and have for a long time. But, I still love my books printed Gutenberg-style, thank you very much!
For those navigating the publishing maze, our cheese has been moved. Publishing has become more and more digitized, and if we're to make an influence as word smiths, we have to learn new ways of marketing our work. We have to put it out where readers will buy it. Who am I to stand in the way of progress?
As for me, I'm still going to hoard my personal library. When my great-grandkids come to my house, we'll sit in the rocking chair together and read real books, like Sammy the Seal and Moe Q. McGlutch, He Smoked Too Much.
One of my favorite treasures is The Riverside Sixth Reader, published in 1912, given to me by my great-grandma, for whom I was named. I must have been in the sixth grade at the time. I have no idea how it survived so many moves and life changes, but I cherish it. No way could a Kindle edition compare!
What's your personal preference? Printed page, or digital gizmo?
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