Kindle v.s. Print

The Kindle, Nook,and iPad are all the rage with readers today. In an on-line article dated December 28, 2010 the guardian.co.uk reported "Amazon e-book sales overtake print for the first time".  Wow !  That is  impressive.   In September when my friend Sandy C. and I traveled  to California ,   I thought I might want  one, too, and  even  considered putting it on my Christmas wish list, especially after a fellow passenger was gracious enough to show us her Kindle, allowing  us to  hold it up close and personal.   She  took great delight in telling us about the benefits of an e-reader - including free downloads -depending on author and story, and its many other fine features.  One of those attributes, the passenger pointed out, "No more stacks of books laying around the house."   After hearing so many positive things about the Kindle, I was ready to sign on.

But when I got home and walked into the study and saw all the books lining my shelves, I  began re- thinking  the e-reader vs print book .  I wondered  about city libraries and those row upon rows of titles and authors so carefully cataloged. What would happen to all those books?   Will our libraries now be changed to 'downloading' centers?    Then I thought  about inscriptions, and underlining and jacket covers.   Some folks , like me,   highlight  a sentence or phrase  with a marker because it touches our spirit in some particular way, and we want to find it again to read and re-read.   Not possible with an e-reader. And most importantly,  how does one inscribe something special  to another when giving an e-reader for a gift.  Can't be done.

Just this past Christmas my  son received a print book from his grandparents in Florida.   His Grandma Susie waited in line for six hours to purchase "Decision Points" and have it signed by the  former President of the United States, George W. Bush.  Gavin's Grandpa Cooney  took the time and effort to write a note describing the purchase of this book , where and when.  My  dad  wrote on the inside cover, " A piece of history, Grandpa Cooney".

I began looking at other books on my shelf.  Some with inscriptions from life long  friends, Susan and Phyllis. Others  from my mother, and grandmothers.  One book , " I've Got to Talk to Somebody, God"  by Marjorie Holmes dated 1974  is  from my brother, Walt. On the inside cover he wrote, " To my sis Kathy on her 1st Trip Abroad.  Luv Walt. Good Luck. hurry home.  As soon as possible, o.k. Sis.  Love Always .  The First of Many. (over)   Kathy, read 115 when you're on the airplane"

Walt knew I was afraid of flying, the words he chose to underline gave me great comfort then,  and  continue to  touch my heart deeply, especially now  since he passed away last May. The words he wrote to me in 1974 will continue to speak to me, as my dad's words will to Gavin - into the future.  One big advantage an e-reader doesn't have.