I decided to buy my daughter a Nook ebook reader for her birthday. At the recent teacher’s meeting at the school that she attends, the principal said that e-readers will be approved as an acceptable electronic device for classroom use, like calculators.
Kate is a reader, and I take great pride in having passed that trait onto my “offspring” as Robert Bringhurst says, in his article "Why There Are Pages and Why They Must Turn." (22) Myself, I prefer an actual book, though, I have never used a device such as Kindle or a Nook before. Of course the obvious selling point is the ability to be able to carry multiple books in a device that is only slightly larger than a cell phone. Another advantage is the ability to quickly reference another book or compare books without having to locate them in bookshelves.
I was explaining the concept of electronic books to my parents and even showed them some various magazine applications on my smart phone. They could not grasp why it was necessary to venture away from the paper delivery method that they use and will most likely never deviate from.
Writing this I realize I do use methods of electronic reading. I read the local newspaper through its website and get virtually all of my noteworthy news information through the internet. What would be the difference in reading novels and other types of literature via electronic device rather than in bound print? For me, much of it has to do with the comfort factor. I am comfortable reading Hemingway, Keats, Faulkner and even contemporary writers curled up by the fireplace, with lamplight illuminating pages, words, and illustrations. However, in some instances I think I could certainly be persuaded to see what e-readers have to offer. I think there is room on my bookshelf for both.
Bringhurst, Robert, and Heriot Bay. "Why There Are Pages and Why They Must Turn." World Literature Today. 20 (2008). 27 Feb. 2011 http://libraries.ou.edu/access.aspx?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ou.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=34365977&site=eds-live.
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