The conundrum - Will it be book or kindle?

Some seem to believe the book is on its way out. Kindle or any epub is the wave of the future. From where I sit in the circle of life, I see the division on future of reading as very generational.

I have attended as a visitor and been the speaker at Book Clubs. You are not going to pry the printed pages out of hands of the members. I meet regularly with a senior group where the local librarian presents and reviews at least 10 books each month. Then the group reads/shares at their leisure. Many lean toward larger print for the mind may be ready to receive but the eyes have been dulled. I feel as an author, this group is an untapped audience for all genre.

I'm not saying we must choose one form or another. eReaders are here to stay and they have their place in this fast moving society of instant communication. I have two Kindles. Both are filled with enough reading for many summers. They are convenient for waiting rooms where most of the magazines carry last months/years stories. But a novel in your pocketbook weighs about the same and won't quit on you should you forget to recharge. (Been there - its done that.)

I find it hard to accept that the younger generation will completely abandon print. MrW and I go to the library nearly every week so he can replenish the pile of books on his reading table. He has used one of the kindles but prefers the heft of what he sees as the "real thing". At each visit we see children, even toddlers, carrying an arm full of reading. We see mother's with tote bags bulging with books followed by children already scanning pages on their newest find.

If children are exposed to only an eReader are they shunning books as they use the device for games? Their quick thinking reactions are toned. But what about imagination and curiosity. Are we cheating many from developing a love for reading?

My thirteen year old granddaughter is a voracious reader. I hardly ever see her without a book. She has the most up to date devices for reading, playing games, researching, skyping, doing homework and so forth. But she seems most engrossed when curled up on the end of the couch with a print book.

I know my love of reading lead me into a lifelong dream of writing. Being carried to places unknown (perhaps on a magic carpet), to discover wonders never before seen by reading stories authored by someone I'll never know, set my mind on fire. I wanted to someday paint pictures with words. The fact my dream became possible when I reached my seventies only added years of color to my palette of words and an increased depth of life experiences where I could dip my brush to spread stories across the page.

I can't imagine a world without books be they printed on a page or carried digetally. Everyone needs to find their own method but please do not let the newest gizmos steal away the desire to read.

Remember Kindles are convenient but they sure do nothing for a bookshelf.

`````````



Visit my FBauthor page for up to date info of my latest book - the third in the Maine at Heart trilogy. "Beneath Mackerel Skies". Books 1 and 2 - "The Spruce Gum Box" and "Granite Hearts" are available through Amazon and Indie stores.

https://www.facebook.com/eewilder