Yes, I’m getting older, but despite that I refuse to think of myself as a dinosaur.
Because I love technology and a good challenge, I was into computers at a time when most people of my generation were afraid to even turn one on.
While it was intimidating at first, it was exciting and profoundly rewarding when I would work through a problem to proper conclusion. Those who know me will attest to that my computer is like my right arm — I would be lost without it. I love any electronic gadget, especially my iPod.
That being said, I resolutely refuse to move forward when it comes to electronics such as the Nook or the Kindle.
I remember the first time I saw a Kindle. It was in a Best Buy electronics store in the states. There, right after I walked in the door, was a display of a gadget I’d never seen before. Carefully looking it over, I discovered it was a Kindle and proceeded to read out loud to my husband its many glowing qualities (according to the manufacturer).
To say I wasn’t impressed would be a huge understatement. In fact, I was horrified. I am a non-apologetic bibliophile. Not an avid book reader, a full-blown bibliophile. Books, to me, are like jewelry to some women, or fancy cars to men.
There’s something about a book that can’t be replaced. Maybe it’s how they feel between your fingers while turning page after page, or maybe it’s the subtle smell of newsprint. Maybe it’s the fond memory of guiltily reading beneath my blankets with a flashlight when I should have been fast asleep.
Whatever it is, it lives strongly in me and makes me actually feel at odds if I don’t have a book or magazine on the go. It’s hard to explain, but I am sure those of you who love books know exactly what I mean.
Anyway, as I’m reading the specs aloud to my husband, I commented that I really didn’t think I would like to use a Kindle, or any other electronic book for that matter. That’s when the lady standing next to me told me she uses a Kindle. She was about my age and it actually surprised me to hear her speak so fondly of her Kindle. For almost a full five minutes the kindly lady spoke of its many attributes. It actually was quite intriguing to hear of the many benefits of the electronic reader, but I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.
Because it was nearing my birthday, and because I know many men are at a loss to find the perfect gift, my husband then generously offered to buy me a Kindle for my birthday.
I guess the horrified look in my eyes said enough about what I thought of that offer. Might as well buy me a vacuum cleaner or a mop, thanks. Needless to say we walked away without the Kindle, or anything of its ilk. Thank goodness.
Despite that, Tom and I still occasionally spoke of the Kindle, trying, I think, to properly come into the electronics age and join those other dinosaurs who now can’t seem to get through their day without their Kindle, Nook or iPad.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t picture the world without books — honest to goodness proper books complete with covers and pages in between. And what about the libraries? Are the days of libraries filled with glorious books slowly become an archaic fancy?
I hope not because there is something to be said about dog earring a book, a simple, but satisfying action that can never be done to a Kindle.