Take your Library to Bed

Library Books by CCAC North Library Digital or Print?  by Kate Thompson
I take my library to bed. I never leave home without it. Seven hundred books aren’t heavy. They fit in my purse. I started reading e-books the end of 2010. I was resistant in the beginning. I had a paper-book library big enough to wander through and after working on the computer all day, I wanted to pluck books off my shelves and thumb through the pages, not click or swipe on a reading device.
My reading life changed the day I received notice that a book I put on hold months before was ready for pickup. I dropped whatever I was doing and headed to the library.

I went to bed early that night. I fluffed the pillows and opened the book. I squinted. I brought it closer to my face. I shined the lamp on it. I couldn't read it. The library had sent me a “tiny-print” version! I didn't know they even made tiny-print books, large-print for old people, yes, but who would read this, a flea? 

I showed my husband. “What?” he asked. I pointed out the obvious and he read a paragraph out loud without moving off his side of the bed. I scowled and he shrugged and suggested checking out the large-print version. 

I bought a Kindle instead. When it arrived, I went online to buy ‘the’ book that brought me into the e-book world and it wasn't available. That’s right. I bought a 150 dollar Kindle and the 10 dollar book I wanted to read on it wasn't an e-book. However disappointing, it wasn't long before it became one and I learned the e-book world was far bigger than font size. 

Digital publishing is an evolving and growing industry. It has opened the doors for indie authors. New voices are being heard all over the world. Voices from the past are a download away. At Project Gutenberg, 3 million books are downloaded each month.     

But what would a life be without paperbacks and hardcovers? What would a town be without a library? What would a night out be without a bookstore? We don’t have to choose. We can have it all. Paper books or digital, no one can have too many. 

Originally published: Digital or Paper? 5 NW Authors Blog. 03/05/2013

Kate Thompson is the author of Bigfoot Hunters Never Lie. Spring 2014. A Seattle author and Hedgebrook Writers in Residence aluma, Kate lives in the Seattle area with her husband, cat Mitzi and Goldendoodle dog Ali. ©2012
©2012

Photo: Library Books. Uploaded by CCAC North Library on November 24, 2009
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