A book is a doorway. This doorway allows you as the reader to become a part of the story. Most doorways can be opened just by reading the first page, while others need a special key to allow you into the story. That special key can either be your imagination, a present or past thought, relates to your life in a way, or you just need to have an open mind. The use of kindles, nooks, and ereaders today has increased since the days before. Some people say that having and electronic device that has a book on it is nice because you can just pack it up and save space, yet have so much access to so many books, magazines, or newspapers. But others say that have the book physically is better because you can mark areas of the passage that you liked the most, areas you thought made an impact on your thoughts of your surroundings, or areas you thought had an important message that has more meaning then before.
My thoughts on which is better is set equally to both. I like reading from my nook because I can just slip it away into my bag or suit case without it taking up space and I don't have to take as many books with me. But there is something about a book that you can actually turn the pages that I love. I enjoy reading books that have little notes in the margin that the previous reader had put in that contain their thoughts on what they thought of the plot or theme and how it made them feel afterwards, and I can relate to some of these little notes or maybe make a different connection to the book that the previous reader didn't have. Different authors have different opinions about a book vs. an electronic reader. I agree with those who say that having book is magical because you don't know what to expect to read what has been printed and written on the pages and the smell of a book is intoxicating to others which increase their desire to read more and more books. I also agree with those who say that having an electronic reader isn't as bad as it sounds. Sometimes people don't read books just because of the smell or what may lay hidden in its pages, but the magic that comes from the authors mouth. People want to read just for the sheer joy of it and the don't need any kind of connection to the previous reader. They just want to have their own thoughts of the book without assistance from little notes.
I really like your doorway metaphor; it captures a lot about the reading experience (entering worlds, anticipation, etc.). Good job of showing the balance in paragraph 2 of old and new and how each has its own benefits.
ReplyDelete