The question for this week is what would a world without books be like? This question reminds me of a few books actually. There is always Fahrenheit 451, where books were burned. The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick. It’s about a world where again, books are gone. And the third is a newer book that I’ve read, called Matched. In this dystopian world, there are only 100 books left. The government has decided to choose what are the 100 books, 100 pieces of art, 100 songs, etc. that are most important and should be saved. Everything else has been destroyed.
Other people lament the rise of e-readers, saying that they are going to ruin the book world. As a bookseller at a store that sells their own e-reader, I disagree. As many of those that we sell, and even I own one, there are still books I want. I will always want real books, the ones that I want to read over and over, I want those. Then there are books that you might call “coffee table” books. Those are ones that I can’t imagine just wanting to have on an e-reader. Years ago when the mass market size paperback came out, people then were saying it was going to be the end of the book world. Not true, if anything, it made books more accessible for the price and the ease of reading.
Now, what do I think a world without books would be like? Miserable for me. I can’t imagine not having a book to read. Before I started working at a bookstore, over 10 years ago, when I didn’t have money for a new book, or wanted something to read, I just reread something I had. Since I’ve been working at a bookstore, I hardly have time to go back and read all the books that I used to read over and over. But it’s okay, because I’m reading so many great books. I can’t imagine not having something to read. When I am stuck somewhere with nothing to read, I find something, a cereal box, the graffiti on the bathroom wall, whatever. What do you think a world without books would be like? I’d love to hear your responses.
And, to hear what the next blog on the tour has to say about this, go on to Jessica’s blog at Finding One’s Way. It’s a blog dedicated to shedding light on domestic violence and sexual abuse.
You have a lovely blog. I am with you I don't think e-readers will be the death of hard books. I wills ay they certainly making traveling with books easy! I mean if you're like me a read a couple of book at once then an e-reader makes sense.
When TV arrived folks thought radio would disappear! radio is probably more popular and lucrative than ever!
I am enjoying this Blog-A-Licious Tour!
Lisa – I always cringed at the thought of e-readers – you shed a different and interesting light on the issue – love being here as a part of the tour.
I am glad you are part of the tour. Glad you found the topic interesting enough. Hello! Good to discover other bloggers. π
I agree about finding ANYthing to read – I can never just stand around waiting and doing NOTHING. My mom set a good example by shoving Harlequin paperbacks everywhere – in the car door, in her purse, in the pocket of her raincoat – so that if she got stuck somewhere, she'd always have something on her person to pass the time π
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Really great post LIsa! Matched sounds interesting, I'm going to have put that on my list of things to read – it's growing longer and longer and as I go through the blogs on the tour!
That was insightful. Thank you Lisa for being a part of the tour.
Cheers – Dora
http://pandorapoikilos.com
Lisa,
I loved your post…Nice to meet you on the tour.
Here is my link to A World Without Books
Finding One's Way
xoxox
Jess
I donβt think we have anything to worry about when it comes to e books, as they are right now. It is down the road that is of concern when they start adding video. A person read and sees the story in his/her mind. What will happen to imagination? Will the story be as good as the book? That is the question to think about. Thank you for being part of the tour I enjoyed your post. Thank you and god bless
Wow, that book about the government picking what they think is essential to literature, art, etc., sounds pretty damn frightening. Great post, Lisa!
@Shelley, I'm kind of the same with books. I have one in my car so that if I ever go anywhere that I didn't think I'd need something to read, I have something. And in worst case scenarios, I have my Nook application on my iPhone, so I can read my books there, although, it's pretty hard, I have to constantly turn the page as you can only get like 2 paragraphs or less on each screen.
Hey Lisa — LOVE the Nancy Drews!! And I completely agree with you. I was anti-ereader until my mom got me one. I love it! But I'm also looking forward to two new books I ordered. So there you go! =)
Great to be on this touch with you , Lisa. You're working in a book store? Living my childhood fantasy you are π
Lisa – I love your bubbly spirit…it shines through in your writing. What a fun take on the topic! I got so tickled at the part about reading a cereal box or the graffiti on the bathroom wall – now THAT's a dedicated reader. I fully agree, both ebooks and hard copies will be around for a long time. My thoughts exactly – how would a coffee table book ever be as effective as an ebook? And on the flip side, I'm glad I don't have to pack all hard copies of the books I'm reading when traveling. I also think the ebook world has helped passionate writers who may never have been discovered, enter the "published" scene. Have a great Monday! ~Janet~ JLB Creatives