“Imagine a world where there’s a URL for every chapter and paragraph in a book – every sentence even. Readers could point to their favore sections in a MySpace update or instant message or respond to an argument by copiously linking to the smartest passages in a recent best seller.” – The Future of Reading
I’m not sure I want to imagine that world. At a time where everything is going online, I tend to treasure the few things that aren’t. Books are one thing that I don’t want to read online. I cannot picture myself carrying around a kindle either. I love the pages. I love the smell. I enjoy highlighting and underlining passages and leaving notes in the margins. If I’m lending a book out, often I’ll leave a note on the inside cover. I can’t do that with a kindle.
Social networks are taking over the Internet. I’m not sure if I want my books to be included. I don’t mind sharing what I’m reading or writing a review about it on my blog. But a real-time comment feature on every sentence, paragraph and chapter? No thanks. How cluttered would that be? And would someone else’s comment change the way I felt about the book before I had a chance to finish it?
So I’m curious, are you a big reader? Would you be more or less inclined to read if the books are online?
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Ted and I have books in every room in our house. I love each and every one of them. I cannot imagine having a home without books. I already spend too much time staring at a computer screen or the television, so I really value the time I get to spend unplugged with my books. Online books and the Kindle hold no enchantment for me. I like my books old school.
Erins last blog post..Long Weekend Randomness
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I love the virtual world, but not when it comes to books. I’m a real puritan in that sense. When I get a book I like to read the blurb on the back, look at the cover. Read the first couple of pages. The idea of reading it online or via kindle? I can see why some people would be seduced by the ease of it, but I don’t like the concept myself!
Paulas last blog post..THE NIGHT IT ALL WENT BLACK . . .
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I don’t know how I’d feel about books being online. I feel like I’d be WAAAY too attached to my computer then! More than I am already!
Angelas last blog post..Blast from the Past
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I am definitely a reading fan. I do love the virtual world, but I would not be a fan of reading online. There is the old-fashioned enchantment of reading a book, turning the pages…I can’t imagine it even being the same experience online.
Katys last blog post..I heart Sundays with my sister
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While I’m all for social networking and technology continuing to advance, I draw the line on books via online and electronics such as the Kindle. You’re right – there is something to be said about turning an actual page, taking in the smell of an old book, actually handwriting notes. And if books cease to exist, what will happen to amazing libraries and bookstores?
Nelles last blog post..Excuses, excuses
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I’m like you. I love the whole experience of reading. The flipping of the pages, the smell of new books, the feeling of it in my hands. Bending the paperback to read with one hand while I drink a glass of wine. It’s just not the same virtually.
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I am an avid reader (and a lit major) but I only read actual books, not ebooks. I just don’t like reading on a screen very much. So I really hope books never stop being made.
Vivianes last blog post..Read this blog
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I prefer the real thing, too. Reading stuff online for too long makes my eyes hurt.
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Ugh, I agree! When I started downloading music, I wondered if that would be the future of books. No thank you! I want to hold a book, fiddle with a book jacket, turn the pages for goodness sakes. And the smell! I am in love with the smell of books.
The Dumbest Smart Girl You Knows last blog post..muh biz-nass
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I’m an old fashioned gal, I LOVE reading but I like books, not audio books or kindles, but good old fashioned books.
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I’m with you on this one! I love cracking open a fresh book. The smell of the pages. Writing my name in the top corner. etc.
I just kinda hate lending them to other people because then I don’t often get them back.
I’m also a library girl. I love leafing through the shelves of books, to borrow and then return. At the rate I go through books, even buying them on a kindle would be too expensive for mu budget.
Cazs last blog post..Monday Blues…
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I can’t read any extended reading online. It makes my head hurt, and I miss holding the book in my hand. Something about the digital way you can scroll through things (including the Kindle) kinda takes away some of the fun for me.
poodlegooses last blog post..My Hair, My Beautiful Hair!
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I actually really like listening to books on audio. It’s like a performance, but it still leaves a lot to your own imagination. Old fashioned books are always nice too, but it’s hard to read a real book while walking to work.
Allies last blog post..A Saturday Afternoon in the City of Chicago
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I’ve always felt exactly the same way. I obviously love the internet and my fancy electronic gadgets, but still, nothing gets me as excited as walking into a bookstore and taking it all in. You can’t cozy up with a computer the way you can with a book. It’s so much more than words on a screen or a page. There’s the feeling of progress, of seeing yourself go through the book, finally seeing more pages behind you than in front of you. It’s a whole experience that I really don’t think you can replicate with a kindle.
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When self-publishing my novella, I went back and forth on setting up a downloadable version.
And Aussie friend saying, “Stop being a dork. I don’t want to pay crazy ass shipping” convinced me.
I don’t mind reading things online, usually. Depends on the length, I suppose. (TWSS.)
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Im a huge reader, but never read books online, short stories maybe, blogs and tweet, but nothing beats the feeling of a real book to get your teeth into.
smidges last blog post..So she tells him she must go out for the evening, to comfort an old friend who’s feeling down, but he knows where she’s going as she’s leaving…
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I like the feel of a book between my hands too much to read one online.
A Super Girls last blog post..I have a blog?
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I love real books. I don’t think I would ever switch to digital book unless there was no other option
Ashleys last blog post..Girls Night Out!
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Less inclined, definitely. I love BOOKS. I don’t want EVERYTHING to be computerized. I don’t think I’d mind the Kindle for long trips, so I could save space and not have to pack the 18 books I’d likely bring, but I will never give up reading a physical book.
adrianas last blog post..Topanga Days!
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I love my books. Holding them, turning pages, dog-earing the corners because I never use a bookmark, and writing my name inside the cover of each new one.
I’m curious about the Kindle for the space-saving aspect in travel, but I can’t imagine curling up in my rocking chair with my blanket, my cat, and my plastic digital reading machine. Kill trees and make my real books forever.
Rebekahs last blog post..A bump in the road
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I like to read but I wish I read more; however, I find that when I do sit down I can’t do anything else until it’s finished…and that doesn’t work too well for my busy life. And I agree, I don’t want to read my books online, I like the smell too
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I’m with you. I can’t imagine reading a book on a computer screen. I like the pages, I like lending, I like borrowing. I like having stacks of books on a bookshelf. You can’t have that on a “kimble” (or whatever it’s called!)
I always have a book on the go. Sometimes two. I read and re-read my books. Over and over until they’re falling apart.
*sigh* books!
nuttycows last blog post..Quandry
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I like them more in traditional versions. Blogs are for the internet, books? Not so much.
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I read, though I’d be cautious about calling myself a big reader. Either way, I’d prefer a paper book. I use the computer enough. I need another electronic device like I need a helicopter accident above my house tonight.
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I’m a HUGE reader, and NO NO NO thank you to books online. This debate continues to come up that books will be obsolete, but I just don’t buy it. I am biased though since I’m a librarian.
Mollys last blog post..independence.
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My friends and I have an ongoing argument about the digitization of literature. My position basically states that “books” should and will remain just the way they are now, as a solid piece of work meant to be perceived by an audience in a specific way. Cover to cover. With pages.
I put books in quotes because I think LITERATURE is what is going to change, and probably wouldn’t mind going digital.
If we just take a look at blogging, I think literature actually has changed significantly. The diary? Public. The cost of publishing? Next to nothing. Syndication of information? I think we all know the state of that.
I can go on and on about this so I’ll stop here.
Awesome, short and effective post. Right up my alley.
nicopolitans last blog post..Escribitionism
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I love me some internet, but no no no no to virtual books. There’s something to be said for new book smell and turning pages and so on.
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I am so with you on this one. I don’t want a Kindle (or the new thing Google is coming out with) or to read a book sitting at my computer desk. I love holding books and I especially love gently worn books that have become that way through years of love. That said, I can see at least one situation in which online books could be a good idea — getting kids to read. If a child spends a lot of time online already but isn’t an avid novel reader, this could be a way to get them to that place.
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I consider myself a big reader and lately have been reading a lot more books on my Kindle app. I like the convenience of it and being able to carry it with me anywhere without the extra bulk.
missmarisol´s last blog ..I’m officially part of the Dirty Thirty
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