Photo courtesy freedigitalphotos.net
A room without books is like a
body without a soul.
-- GK
Chesterton
E-reader vs. book is an area that greatly concerns me. I was disturbed by a recent commercial in which a mother, snuggled up to her toddler in bed was reading from an e-reader. Yes, I own a Kindle and I admit it is oh so convenient. It’s hard to not love something that takes up less room than a small paperback yet holds thousands of books, magazines and articles available in just seconds. Yet, I have found that I continue to add to my book collection. Call me old-fashioned, but there are just some things I prefer not read on the Kindle and Children’s books top that list.
My reasons lie within tradition and love. I love books! I don't mean that I just love to read them; I mean I actually love books. The simple act of reading for me is a tactile experience. I love the feel of the paper between my fingers, the smell of the ink, and the beautiful illustrations within the pages. All things lacking when you grasp a piece of machinery between your hands and gaze at a screen. I have an entire room of shelves filled with books that cover an ever increasing variety of subjects. I've been known to spend an entire day in Barnes & Noble, soaking up the atmosphere and searching for that new treasure to add to my collection. You will find baskets full of books and magazines all around my house. I simply love books!
One of my earliest memories is of being snuggled up next to my Great-Grandmother as she read to me from Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes; I still know many of them by heart. Bedtime stories were a nightly ritual for my son, one which we both looked forward to. It was a memory being created, a reader being born, a love of books being ignited and it would not have been the same had we read from a screen, pushed a button or swiped to turn the page.
Many Saturday afternoons were spent, son in tow, within the walls of the local library. This was a much anticipated outing, one filled with adventure and untold treasurers for the taking. Often we would time our trips to catch storytelling hour. I can tell you that the storyteller did not read from a small computer screen. How terribly disappointing that would have been.
These traditions I plan to carry on with my grandchildren, hoping to instill in them the love of reading and the memory of an experience shared. I believe there is time “later” for technology, I suspect it will come sooner for my grandchildren than it did for my son. For now, in my house, Good Night Moon will remain a tactile experience.
Happy Gardening!
This post linked to Family Home and Life - Grandparents Say It Saturday
Grandma's Briefs-Grand Social
5 comments:
Loved reading this (even though it was on my iPad!). I love the feel of a book in my hand with the slight smell of the paper rising up! Funny to read this just now, as mt son-in-law just posted a FB picture of my seven year old granddaughter with her first library card and she was thrilled that they would "let" her check out more than one at a time!
Thanks for your comment on my blogpost about letter writing!
Terry, there's nothing like that first library card! At 19 months, my grandson is just a bit young still-but I can't wait to introduce him to the library. I'll forgive the reading on your ipad..lol It's the nature of blogs after all :) Your very welcome about the comment, I love a post that makes me stop and think as yours did.
Books are one of my very favorite things to share with my grandsons. I like to do crafts. I like to watch movies with them. I like to walk and play outside all those other things. But books I LOVE, love, LOVE. You sound very much like me in your adoration for the printed word. My bookshelves are overflowing, my magazine racks bursting at the seams. Cookbooks? Oh, we won't even go there.
Thank you for sharing with delightful post in the GRAND Social. So glad you've joined us!
Books are absolutely one of the best things ever and I am so thrilled that my granddaughter shares this love of books with all of us. One of her favorite places to go is the used book store. Like you I love my Kindle but there is just something about holding a real book -- and children's books need to be the real thing!
Just stopping by from the GRAND Social Linky Party. Hope you get a chance to do the same!
http://amaraland.com/memories/2011/amaras-pink-and-purple-gown/
Lisa & KC- I'm so happy to meet other book nuts :) Lisa-I also have a ton of recipe books-I love to thumb through them but find I haven't the time to prepare everything I'd like to try. I keep adding to the collection though because I'm sure that one day I will actually have that time..lol KC-I have actually been following Amaraland for the last few weeks and have very much enjoyed it.
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