I have always had a romanticized view of books. I surround myself with them. I decorate around them. Reading Linda Grant's Kindle single I Murdered My Library has caused me to rethink my relationship with the physical book.
In I Murdered My Library, she explains how she accumulated a massive private collection of books, only to later find it valueless beyond personal and sentimental value. She thought she was building a collection of treasures her family would love, but only a few coffee table books were accepted when offered. As her sight and willingness to lug heavy books around decline, she embraces the e-reader.
Much like Grant, I have decades of books. I love the cover art. I love the stories. When I think of some of my favorite books I remember how they felt in my hands. I don't have to picture their worn jackets and spines, because many of them are in a bookcase inches away from me. I have rooms full of books and boxes of them in storage.
Books aren't just things to read. My imagination imbues them with magic powers. Sometimes I still imagine that books are a proof of one's character. I know my personal library no more accurately describes me than the 4 letters of a Myers-Briggs test, but I've fallen for girls over their book collection. Typically, I'm left with a few new titles.
I love ebooks, however, and I love my ereader. It has a certain weight and feel to it that suggests to me while it is not A BOOK, it can be ALL BOOKS. There is something mighty but also elegant in the simple touch interface and limited ability to do much beyond be a fantastic reading platform. I love re-reading old classics (mostly science fiction) on it and do not miss the hard copies. I also love finding new, amazing self-published work. I think the Kindle Single format is fantastic and I like paying indie authors for the chance to try their stuff. I am really impressed with their work and know I'd likely never have had an opportunity to read them otherwise.
Linda Grant's I Murdered My Library certainly got me to thinking. Not bad for a 20 minute read.
Whatever I decide, you may not have my collection of books on card magic.
