Booking Through Thursday: 4/14/11

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly event hosted HERE. A Weekly meme about (mostly) books and reading.

In a related question to last week’s. I was reading the other day a quote from JFK Jr who said on the death of his mother, that she died surrounded by family, friends, and her books. Apparently, Jackie’s books were very much a part of HER, her personality, her sense of self. Up until recently, people could browse your bookshelves and learn a lot about you–what your interests are, your range of topics, favorite authors, how much you read (or at least buy books). More and more, though, this is changing. People aren’t buying books so much as borrowing them from the library. Or reading them on their e-readers or computers. There’s nothing PHYSICAL on the shelves to tell strangers in your home, for better or worse, who you ARE. Do you think this is a good thing? Bad? Discuss!

Yara's Answer: Well for me personally I still have books on my shelves just because I buy them for my Nook doesn't mean later on I don't purchase a physical copy. I love to look at my books. When they are on my shelves I can look over at them and picture myself inside the story in the particular book I might be staring at. Yes the eReaders make it easier to take with you books when your on the go, but nothing can ever replace a real book. 

Trudy's Answer: I would not call it bad, but the way to cope with the new way of life. We have become a sterile society, we do not communicate or relate to others the same way we use to, we use electronic equipments to do that. I think in order to share with others now, you have to have that e-reader or computer, not only to buy, borrow or lend these books, but it is also easier to share with others your like or dislikes.

The good is that it reaches a lot more people by way of e-mails, blogs, tweets, etc. and the books are easier to carry in electronic form and the bad is that it's not personal, you hide behind a screen and that it will never feel the same  to seat in your favorite spot and grab an actual book in your hands. In today's world we go to extremes to protect ourselves from others, maybe this is a sublime way to hide who we are to others.

Ana's Answer: Well if any one were to enter my home and see my bookshelves, they would think I am a little crazy because I absolutely love books--all books.  I do find it easier and more eco-friendly to have e-books then hardcover or paperback, but there are times when I love a book or a series and I want to have the physical book on my self for me to touch and feel.  There is just something about the smell and touch, that I truly love.