Monday, September 6, 2010

Out of the Frying Pan

Just when I thought I was done with the whole "e- versus print" debate (I'm on the side of print), I find something that makes me want to jump right back in again.

The most recent something manifests itself as IT'S A BOOK, a picture book by Lane Smith that enumerates in hilarious detail all the reasons why I love print media.  I found myself laughing out loud in the middle of the bookstore, and I immediately bought it for myself.  (Not for my kids - there's a swear word on the last page.  But definitely for myself.)

Go now to the bookstore and buy this book.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

What side of the debate are you on?  Print, or digital?

4 comments:

  1. Print, print, print! There's something about the atmosphere of a book store, the smell of paper and the murmurs of avid readers discussing the piece they hold in their hand. Nothing like it. The sound of pages turning as you read, not having to 'wipe' it after you do so, and being able to dog-ear your page. Try to do that with an e-reader!

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  2. YES! Plus, I like being able to see all of my books, all at the same time, on my bookshelves. I like the way they look. I like noticing that different books are printed on different kinds of paper, with different fonts. I like being able to hold a book in my hand, and know that the part I liked the most was about a third of the way through, and flip through the pages and scan the words as they go by. I love print books.

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  3. I'm not so much as on a side as I am aware of where the market it going. And as difficult as it seems, digital is the future. Not the only future, of course. It's not like every book will be burned. They will still be around. But be honest. When is the last time you got out an 8-track tape and listened to it?Personally, I'm just trying to figure out how to adjust and position myself in this new market.

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  4. Lois, thanks for commenting!

    I agree that digital is where things seem to be going, and I won't battle my publisher (if I should be so lucky as to ever even have a publisher! I hope I hope I hope!) on whether or not to make my books available in e-form. But at the same time, I'd still rather read a book in print, so as long as I can get the books I want in print, I'm sticking to that form.

    I'm planning a big discussion post on this topic over the weekend - I hope you'll come back and participate!

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