Happy August 9, Book Lovers! The day is ours! I do love books. It's a strangely emotional attachment. We've moved a lot and replaced possessions many time over. We even got rid of a piano once, only to buy another later on. But I am loathe to let my books go. In fact, I've mentioned to Joseph several times that if we do ever move again, wherever we go and however much we might downsize, I would want to take my books with me. And I've noticed that our elder son Bashir, while leaving almost everything behind in his various moves across the country, has also held onto his book collection. And he's remarked upon it -- that he just can't let go of his books. And I'm so very proud that our younger son Raji and daughter-in-heart Julia have books all over their home and that their little ones -- our dear little grands -- are great readers. God bless them. You see? Emotional... In wishing our children and grandchildren well, I wish them an enjoyment of books and I'm thankful that they appreciate them. If you know me, you know that I love ebooks and audiobooks just as much as hard and softcovers. There's room enough in my heart for all. I'm not one to wax poetic about the smell of books, the tactile pleasures of holding a book in your hands, turning pages... In fact, I prefer an ereader under a wide variety of circumstances. But not only is there more to a book than its cover or even its content. They can remind us of loved ones, of good times, of weathered storms, and that we can always learn. And always hope. I'm a big fan of coffee table books, especially well-written ones. I enjoy gifting them when I find one that focuses on a loved one's hobby or passion. For myself, books are amongst my favorite souvenirs, which goes back to reminding me of a happy time. There are some types of books that are just better as soft or hardbacks. Cookbooks, for example -- oh, there are so many gorgeous cookbooks. I prefer them to online sources, although I certainly appreciate both. Books with beautiful illustrations, travel and gardening books, certain how-to books -- I prefer these as hard/softcover volumes. I also like to have very important books like the Bible in hardback. Prayerbooks, so personal to me... I like to have favorites in both ebook and bound. We have plenty of bound volumes. But there is a lot to be said for ebooks. I absolutely love them. I appreciate that they can be stored on multiple, connected devices. I can carry my library of around 1000 ebooks times two in my purse with ease -- one library in my kindle and the other on my phone. To be clear, I do understand that the library is on "a cloud" somewhere -- and that's even better. It's safeguarded.
As I've already mentioned, I'm not very sentimental about the tangible attractions of hardbacks, although I have to admit that my bookshelves would look pretty empty without them. But my point here is that I find it easier to read a novel on my kindle, especially in bed or by the pool or at the beach. A kindle is also much more convenient for travel, especially when I hope to read more than one book on a trip, which is often. And the access to more, more, more and instantly is wonderful! And then there are so many free ebooks introducing me to great, new-to-me authors. It's fabulous! And allow me to confirm for you -- audiobooks are books! Yes, they are. And listening to an audiobook equals reading a book. It's not the same as watching a movie based on a book. Whether you are reading or someone is reading to you, you are still getting and interpreting the words from printed matter. It's not a short or altered version of the author's words. It's ALL the words and if you don't know some of them, you'll have to learn them. If I'm not working at my computer, or eating, or sleeping, I am probably not sitting down. I am so glad to be able to listen -- and I listen to a lot. I guarantee that I know those books just as well through listening as those who read them themselves. This brings me to an important point, more than all the rest of my philosophizing. Those who might not have the best eyesight or leisure time to sit down and read a book but take the time and/or effort to listen have effectively read those books. The words -- from the printed material -- resonate all the same. And you can get distracted either reading or listening, so don't bother going there. It offends me that anyone should think themselves so superior as to deny a book lover the satisfaction of declaring they've read and loved a book just because they chose a narrated version. Whoops! Getting angry over here! And I shouldn't. It's National Book Lovers Day, after all. Enjoy your books, you lovers, and let everyone else enjoy theirs! Happy reading!
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A Little of This, a Little of ThatKeep me away from the wisdom that does not cry, the philosophy that does not laugh, and the greatness which does not bow before children. – Gibran Khalil Gibran Archives
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