By Angela Schroeder
The other day I received a package from one of my publishers. It was filled with my copies of Love Overcomes. Seeing the paperbacks there and hearing my daughter exclaim, “I want one!” got me thinking about paperback versus the ebook.
I have heard so many arguments about why the electronic book is better so I am not going to go over that today. We all know it is cheaper and more convenient. I think the paperback has lost its voice so today I’m giving it one.
It won’t crash on you. You’re reading a book, you’re on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next when your device suddenly flashes “kindle app not responding”. That is so frustrating, I can’t tell you how many times that has happened to me. Then it takes forever to get it open to the book once again. With a paperback there is no need to worry about that.
No battery needed. There is no need to wonder if you brought your car charger with you on that trip. If the wait for your appointment is running longer than anticipated don’t worry. A paperback does not need to be plugged in. You can enjoy without having to be connected to a power source.
Your eyes will thank you. There are times that harsh glare from a screen bothers me. My kids have complained of headaches but during the school day they cannot avoid that screen since the middle school and high school switched to electronic text books. When they get home they cuddle up with a physical book and enjoy without wondering if they’ll be needing something to ease the headache.
The smell is wonderful. Have you ever walked into a library and inhaled deeply? That smell, it is hard to describe but there is nothing like the smell of books. The mix of leather, paper, and ink. I think it smells better than a bakery. I’ve had friends call me to inform me that they were on a tour of an old home. They walked into the library to see it was filled with old books. She said it smelled musty to her but she thought of me and knew I would be in heaven. Seriously, somebody needs to bottle the aroma of books and market it as perfume.
Holding a physical book in hour hands is a wonderful thing. Seeing how worn the pages and binding are tell a person how loved that book was. I’ve read books until the binding wore out. Then bought a new one so I could read it again.
So stop by the book store or visit the library because the paperback lingers. It is not going anywhere. Technology changes constantly but that paperback will still be there ready to tell you a story.
What’s the last paperback you read?
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
I’ve always got at least two or three paperbacks running. Currently wrapping up one by John Berendt about his stay in Venice — The City of Falling Angels.
I spent nearly 30 years in librarianship, so I clearly understand your love of the written word on PAPER. Moreover, I have an affinity for leather-bound hardcover books.
Now there is a difference between the pleasant smell of a well-maintained library… and the dusty, musty smell of a pile (or box) of old books. Books need air and a certain amount of humidity — not too much, though.
Unfortunately, book publishers almost all went to paper stock which contained high acidity for MANY decades… so there are published works from perhaps a half century or more which will crumble to dust without special care. Paperback paper stock was hardly more long-lasting than newsprint at times… which explains pages which have become yellow or even light brown. And likely brittle.
Fortunately, some few dozen years ago, many publishers bit the bullet and began working with more expensive, acid-free paper stock… so those books — hardcover and paperback — should last a century or two with otherwise decent care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I honestly can’t remember the last paperback I read! I think it might have been a Robyn Carr romance. How sad that your kids are already experiencing headaches from the screen glare. I’m surprised the school doesn’t supply some sort of anti-glare glasses or a screen covering. It’s good that they still enjoy reading despite the discomfort of reading on the screen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not too impressed with the schools here. The kids are not allowed to bring the computers home. Since that is where the text books are it makes it hard to study.
My kids love going to the library and getting books there.
LikeLike
I find it funny how our minds adapt to different features. I get frustrated when I reading a paper book because I can’t touch a word and see a definition or make the print larger. When I’m reading on my kindle, I keep trying to move so that I will have room to turn the pages. I enjoy reading both, but my kindle is much more convenient most of the time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I , like Jeff, usually have several going at once; one in each car and at least one around the house.I have been sent many by acquaintances and as promos.I have so many ebooks by The Hound and several Foxes, but I seldom think to grab my tablet when I go out and need to wait.
I know how thrilled I am to see my name in print on an article.It must be incredible to hold a book with your name on it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, it’s an awesome feeling to hold a real book with your own name on it.
Then you resume the grind to write another… and you wonder when you’ll get that “breakthru” to the big time.
Alas.
LikeLiked by 1 person