These is always this unique thing that feels so special about the weight of a book being held in my hands that always makes me feel at home. The soothing split of a spine being unsealed for the first time, smell of the paper and inks blending with time, it is not only about what you read. But it about understanding what is been read, feeling along, getting connected, and getting absorbed. So, this is why for me, nothing beats staying glued with a tall, wobbling stack of books and reading it one day at a time.
In a world of digital age and everything is now digitalised and nothing almost feels real, i still find peace in something I can touch, something physical. This can sound sentimental, but turning over physically pages of books feels more realistic and humanz more soothing than juts tapping the screen and damaging the eyes little by little. Maybe it is because of my background, the school I went to where physical books were just more than something we read online or in PDF or folktales, they were accomplice. My parents frayed and torn story books with some scrawls on it, stained pages and all. Looking at these books back then hold a lot of memories and they are just more than mere words.
It not that I am criticising or talking down on the importance of digital books. Because of we come to think of it, a lot of books that are not longer in the market can now be accessible through the means of E-books. With our phones in our hands, and the screen of our laptops being opened, a whole store or library full of books can be on our device, which is practical, light and efficient and can be used conveniently while travelling, eating, or walking.
Yes, I always wonder it always marvels me what we have given in exchange for that proneness and effectiveness. The delight and happiness that always comes with lending out and asking your friends to lend you particular book, with your name on it, the date you bought it and some colorful marker used to underline some catching things, accidentally stumbling on a hidden letter in the book a d those little, emotional moments cannot be seen or gotten from the E-books. Or is there any?
Even though some usually say both are alike and there is enough rooms for both to work, well we should not forget that behind all the E-books we see today are numerous paper-bound book and soft covers.
So, even though I respect and value the mobility of electronic books, where a soft cover novel is available, I will go for it over E-books. Because to me, it always feels like I am turning the corner of my own story while flipping to the next page, that is how soothing it can be for me.
Do you always feel the magic and calmness of a book you can touch?
Images are mine
Thanks for read.
