Read a Book - A Real One

I don't understand why books, that have existed in printed format since the 15th century, have suddenly become the subject of a mass debate surrounding their very existence.

Many people believe that e-readers will simply replace printed books, just as hand-copying of religious texts by monks centuries ago was superseded by the printing press.

Still, with the advent of the printing machine, handwriting wasn't exactly annihilated, was it?

Books aren't just words organized into sentences, paragraphs and chapters. They're objects. I love having the feel of a book between my hands; I even love the smell of it, and the memories it evokes. Try to smell your Kobo, and I guarantee you'll get strange looks.

Most of all, I can't imagine reading without turning the pages. That's just not a book, in my opinion. And is there anything better than sitting with a great book and a glass of wine on a chilly winter's night?

I have a friend who reads e-books almost exclusively. One time we decided to read A Game of Thrones and share our reactions as we progressed through the story. About halfway through the book, she said, "I have a hard time keeping up with the characters - there are so many of them, I get mixed up!"
"I know," I said. "Why don't you check the Appendix? They're all listed there."
There was a pause.
"What appendix?" she asked.
"Well, just flip to the back of the book …" I broke off. "Oh. You're reading the electronic version, aren't you?" I will confess I chortled; I couldn't help it.
After a bit of tip-tap-tapping, she found it.

I asked her later why she preferred the e-book option. "It's more practical," she said. "I can take it anywhere."

I would argue that I have no problem carrying the latest 1000+ pages-long George R.R. Martin novel in my bag, but I usually get the one-eyebrow-lift reaction when I say that.

I can't deny that e-books are practical and easy to carry. But I will always stick with a paper book. And if you're a Kobo fan, I suggest you read a paper book too, at least from time to time, just to remember what it was like.

With that in mind, I also suggest we keep both options open. Why should one mean the death of the other?

But for now, why don't we let these two fight it out?

Which do you prefer: e-book or paper book? Please leave a comment.