I have nothing against e-books. I have actually read several. And technology makes it more convenient, especially when travelling, as you don’t have to lug a thick pocketbook.
Call
me old-fashioned or even Jurassic, but I do miss holding a book. The warmth created holding one after several
hours of reading is soothing. It makes
me feel part of the story, as if I were truly there myself. I miss the feel of the pages as I turn them
with so much expectancy. I feel a surge of adrenalin rush as I can't wait to
find out what happens next.
And
then, there is the scent of ink as I turn the pages - that slightly irritating
and invasive smell of printed matter. This connects me to the author, as if he
wrote the book only for me. My over
imaginative mind sees myself talking to the writer over a cup of java on a
rainy afternoon. Such bliss.... such
privilege!
I have
a habit of putting bunny ears on pages that I find meaningful. I even highlight passages I consider moving
and beautiful. All these enable me to return
to these pages to read over and over again.
Marginal notes on the pages - inscribing therein my insights and
reflections, are sure signs a book belongs to me. I reread favorite books after a few
years. Imagine my joy at finding out how
I felt and thought years back. My notes sort of become a journal into my inner
self.
I
wonder if our children even use bookmarks these days. When I was younger, I remember how my friends
and I would give each other bookmarks. They were delightful gifts - beautiful
quotes and dainty designs on colorful paper.
Using them made reading more interesting and memorable.
There
is a sense of joy I feel looking at my books lined up on a shelf. You can be sure that the tattered ones are my
favorites. Seeing them is like seeing my
favorite book characters leap to life, reliving a memorable part of a story,
and realizing what important life lessons they have taught me.
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