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It seems to me that the age of the bound book is in decline. For those not lucky enough to major in some sort of literature, do you still sit down to read a good old fashioned book? Or do you turn to something a bit more technologically inclined: video or computer games, a movie, or online shopping (my personal weakness). Have these forms of entertainment completely overshadowed the value of a good read? Lucky for me, I study books, so although I have been jaded by movies and magazines I still know there is always a good book out there just waiting for me.
I mean, if you really think about it, books can offer every type of entertainment that technology has introduced. The most obvious case: the movie. Books tell stories and with the addition of your imagination your mind can enjoy the same stimulation of a great movie plot line. Cases-in-point: Harry Potter, The Notebook; the list can go on! Want something a bit lighter? Perhaps you’re in the mood for a funny TV show, so pick a lighter read. My last quick — and very funny — read was by the comedian Chelsea Handler entitled Are you there Vodka? It’s me Chelsea. I read it in one night and was completely entertained the entire way through! If you wish something a bit more like a video game, why not pick up a ‘choose your own adventure’ read. Remember those from, like, middle school? Classic, again easy, and you could read it again and get a completely different story.
As to online shopping, that gets a little more complicated. You might just need to go do that, not that I’m advocating it or anything. Anyway, in this very technologically focused era, let us not forget the value of the book. It really is one of the most timeless forms of entertainment — one that has outlived, well, mostly everything.
Sound Off
Last post: Jan. 18, 2009 at 4:32 am
Jeff Brandt (Jeff Brandt) said on Jan. 15, 2009 at 2:52 pm:
Playing video games and reading a children's "Choose Your Own Adventure" book are not nearly the same thing. I don't think you can steal cars, spill alien brains everywhere, and exploit game glitches in them.
I love reading books, and I plan on writing a few myself, but I don't think literature needs justification or comparison to other media.
Janet (unregistered user) said on Jan. 16, 2009 at 1:16 pm:
I'm definitely a bit too techno-addicted and it's been far too long since I've sat down with a good (real) book.. all cozied up. I've been using the dailyreader.net program to get my fix of reading, a perfect metaphor for this digital age. Yet, I do still long for getting the time to curl up with a good book.
Travis (unregistered user) said on Jan. 16, 2009 at 8:35 pm:
BookGlutton.com is a locally-run website that offers free ebooks for online reading. It also lets you chat inside the books, should you be inclined to do so with other readers; it is an interesting mix of traditional reading and social networking. Project Gutenberg started here as well, so CU has a good history of technology and reading.
http://www.bookglutton.com
http://www.gutenberg.org/
Jeff Brandt (Jeff Brandt) said on Jan. 18, 2009 at 4:32 am:
I was just about to add BookGlutton. I read a whole chapter of a book just sitting at a computer. I do think the tactile experience of holding a real book and reading that is more rewarding, though. But BG is a great resource if you don't have the book you want to read.
Nikki (Nikki Blight) said on Jan. 15, 2009 at 10:06 am:
Even those of us who are technologically-addicted read on occasion.
I finished The Secret Supper just last week and have a whole stack of novels on my side table to get through. Next on the list: Grave Descend by John Lange and Valor's Trial by Tanya Huff.