To e-read or not to e-read?

I guess the answer to the question is, e-read.  Since I now own an e-reader.  But let me tell you what, I resisted that e-reader until one was practically thrust into my hands.  But now I own one and I have a feeling I may become a convert.  But not without a little more convincing.

I am a purist.  I love a good book.  And I am not just talking about the content, though that is of course fairly crucial.  But the feeling of a good book.  One which is just the right weight and feel.  One whose pages turn really easily.  And when it is a font that suits the plot (I am not sure anyone else will get that, but it makes sense to me) it is almost a zen experience.  I am the type of person, after I finish a truly great book, I will lay it in my lap and try to become one with it.  I prefer to term these idiosyncrasies as being a purist - you may prefer to call me a nut.

Nonetheless, when the first e-reader was first introduced, I think I may have actually gotten angry.  I would see people at the airports or sitting on the coast with their e-readers and pull out my book and flaunt my old-fashioned sense of true reading.  I was convinced they would just be a passing fad.  But it seems they are taking hold.

And I mourn for book-stores and libraries.  The only book store in my town just closed.  They said they could not complete with e-readers.  It breaks my heart.  I didn't go to the store often, but I liked the fact I could when I felt the call of a new book.  I love browsing through book stores and picking a couple of new ones.  And some of my earliest memories are of the book-mobile parking at the end of my street once a week (Thursdays I think).  My dad would take me and we would each check out books.  Ah, the good old days.

But now we live in a world of technology and I do embrace it.  I may no longer watch television (I just can't handle it anymore - too weird and negative) but I no longer journal - I blog.  I write all of my patient notes in an electronic medical record.  Gone are the days of paper charts.  My bank balances are sent to me in text messages and I do most of my shopping on-line.  I have embraced technology.  And now I own an e-reader.

However, I feel compelled to point out I didn't pay for it.  I didn't steal it either, in case you are wondering.  I used points from a new recognition and reward program at work to buy it.  It arrived last night and I pulled it out of its shiny box and stared dubiously at it.  I plugged it and went back to my actual book.  And when I finished reading my actual book, I walked over to my e-reader (Nook Simple Touch in case you are curious) and looked at it some more.  "Hmmm," I thought, "Pride and Prejudice is on here for free.  That's a fancy book and I have always wanted to read it."  Then I realized I could get The New Yorker for only $5.99 a month (and I pay $6.99 an issue when I buy it at the store).  I couldn't resist.  Next thing I knew, I was downloading my first book - though I picked one that was only $1.99.  I used it for a bit last night, and I must admit, it was pretty nice.

I am still a purist, and I mourn the loss of book stores and book mobiles.  But, my love of the written word is getting the better of me.  I can carry with me whatever I am reading in my purse.  Books are at my beck and call like never before.  I have a feeling I could get used to this.

So, I am off to eat dinner and then settle into an evening with a good book, or Nook.