It's like this, readers: I have a dirty little preference that, if admitted in certain circles, nets me some real flack. Given the choice between a book and a kindle app, I'm Team Kindle.
Yikes. I feel like I've already lost you. Except for that thing where you're actually reading my words on some hideous electronic device. So I guess your opposition is contained—sure it's fine to read on a device. Just not read a lot. Unless it's a lot of Facebook status updates or comments on MSN articles or Buzzfeed lists. Then it's fine. But not books, OK? Books don't belong on devices!
Yeah, this is one of those topics that people are weirdly passionate about. So today, Kylee and I (who are mercifully on opposite sides of this debate) have decided to fight it out. Because I'm gracious, and because this is my blog and I can do what I want, I'm going to let Kylee have the first word. But then I'm going to trounce her because she's wrong.
KYLEE: YOUR BRAIN ON BOOKS
Here is a short, sweet quote from an article I read online: "Reading in print helps with comprehension."
[Kylee was reading online. Just thought you guys might want to note the irony.]
You can read the rest of the article here. But to save you the suspense, basically, when you read an actual book, with pages and everything, you are having an experience. You remember what you read. Personally, I tend to agree because I have seen this with my own eyes. We've all become so dependent on our devices that we don't actually engage anymore.
KIMBERLY: SHOOT. THAT'S TRUE.
OK. That's a moderately decent point. No one in her right mind would argue that we're a device-dependent society that now considers making eye contact an ancient art. And the majority of us—although we fully participate in it—are not proud of that fact.
But this wouldn't be an argument if I didn't have a different personal experience. I have taught writing both online and in the classroom, and my online students are infinitely more engaged than those I've had in class. It's not even a competition. The online students do their readings. They discuss others' stories and their own with a frankness and an earnestness that I've never seen in the traditional classroom. They soak up (dare I say comprehend) the words on the screen with no discernible issue.
KYLEE: YOU CAN'T PULL A KINDLE OUT OF A HAT
Books have a magic that a Kindle will never be able to duplicate. The smell of new and old books mixing into that perfect perfume that you just can't describe. Wandering through he aisles and looking at the staff picks to see what the kids at the counter are reading. Looking at all of the cover artwork, wondering if the cover matches the story inside.
KIMBERLY: POOF
Actually, I can describe that perfume just fine. The words you're looking for is fusty. If you're not familiar with it, you can just hold your finger over the word and...oh wait. Your book doesn't come with a magic dictionary inside that can instantly provide a definition for any word you don't know? Lame.
KYLEE: DICTIONARY VS DEWEY DECIMAL
Anyone remember the Dewey Decimal system? I sure do; I had to learn it when I was in school, and it isn't like I am ancient.
KIMBERLY: NO ARGUMENT THERE
I'm not sure what they teach in school anymore. I'm really not.
KYLEE: CLOSING ARGUMENTS
Sure, your kindle is convenient. It doesn't require a light to read by. If you get bored with the book, you can just pull up Pinterest or Facebook and zone out for awhile. Now, am I saying you should bring 5 hardback books on your plane ride? No. I am not. That is an actual situation when technology is great.
But am I saying we should all develop a true respect and love for books? Kind of, yeah. Books will always be superior. We understand more when we read them. We remember more when we read them. They have a magic that a kindle will never be able to duplicate.
KIMBERLY: WITH THE TROUNCE
You know how I feel. You know why I like my Kindle app, and you've read me conceded that Kylee has some good points. But here's the bottom line: real books don't smell good, they smell like garbage. Know why? Because that's where books go when you DON'T buy them. Into a dumpster.
Fact: When bookstores buy books, they purchase the number they think they can sell. But when they don't sell those books, they rip off the covers (that nice art Kylee loves) and send them back to the publisher. The publisher, then, gives the bookstores their money back on all those books. Covers to the publishers, books in the garbage, money out of the author's pocket.
Me personally? I like the trees in the forest and I like my money in my pocket a little more than I like paper books. Sure, there are drawbacks to the Kindle and there are perks. But in the end, it's not even an argument for me. If I can support authors and the environment at the same time, I'm going to do it.
BUT LET'S BE REAL...TEAM BOOK HAS BETTER MEMES
AND EVEN I HAVE TO ADMIT, I CAN'T DO THIS WITH MY iPAD
Yikes. I feel like I've already lost you. Except for that thing where you're actually reading my words on some hideous electronic device. So I guess your opposition is contained—sure it's fine to read on a device. Just not read a lot. Unless it's a lot of Facebook status updates or comments on MSN articles or Buzzfeed lists. Then it's fine. But not books, OK? Books don't belong on devices!
Yeah, this is one of those topics that people are weirdly passionate about. So today, Kylee and I (who are mercifully on opposite sides of this debate) have decided to fight it out. Because I'm gracious, and because this is my blog and I can do what I want, I'm going to let Kylee have the first word. But then I'm going to trounce her because she's wrong.
KYLEE: YOUR BRAIN ON BOOKS
Here is a short, sweet quote from an article I read online: "Reading in print helps with comprehension."
[Kylee was reading online. Just thought you guys might want to note the irony.]
You can read the rest of the article here. But to save you the suspense, basically, when you read an actual book, with pages and everything, you are having an experience. You remember what you read. Personally, I tend to agree because I have seen this with my own eyes. We've all become so dependent on our devices that we don't actually engage anymore.
KIMBERLY: SHOOT. THAT'S TRUE.
OK. That's a moderately decent point. No one in her right mind would argue that we're a device-dependent society that now considers making eye contact an ancient art. And the majority of us—although we fully participate in it—are not proud of that fact.
But this wouldn't be an argument if I didn't have a different personal experience. I have taught writing both online and in the classroom, and my online students are infinitely more engaged than those I've had in class. It's not even a competition. The online students do their readings. They discuss others' stories and their own with a frankness and an earnestness that I've never seen in the traditional classroom. They soak up (dare I say comprehend) the words on the screen with no discernible issue.
KYLEE: YOU CAN'T PULL A KINDLE OUT OF A HAT
Books have a magic that a Kindle will never be able to duplicate. The smell of new and old books mixing into that perfect perfume that you just can't describe. Wandering through he aisles and looking at the staff picks to see what the kids at the counter are reading. Looking at all of the cover artwork, wondering if the cover matches the story inside.
KIMBERLY: POOF
Actually, I can describe that perfume just fine. The words you're looking for is fusty. If you're not familiar with it, you can just hold your finger over the word and...oh wait. Your book doesn't come with a magic dictionary inside that can instantly provide a definition for any word you don't know? Lame.
KYLEE: DICTIONARY VS DEWEY DECIMAL
Anyone remember the Dewey Decimal system? I sure do; I had to learn it when I was in school, and it isn't like I am ancient.
KIMBERLY: NO ARGUMENT THERE
I'm not sure what they teach in school anymore. I'm really not.
KYLEE: CLOSING ARGUMENTS
Sure, your kindle is convenient. It doesn't require a light to read by. If you get bored with the book, you can just pull up Pinterest or Facebook and zone out for awhile. Now, am I saying you should bring 5 hardback books on your plane ride? No. I am not. That is an actual situation when technology is great.
But am I saying we should all develop a true respect and love for books? Kind of, yeah. Books will always be superior. We understand more when we read them. We remember more when we read them. They have a magic that a kindle will never be able to duplicate.
KIMBERLY: WITH THE TROUNCE
You know how I feel. You know why I like my Kindle app, and you've read me conceded that Kylee has some good points. But here's the bottom line: real books don't smell good, they smell like garbage. Know why? Because that's where books go when you DON'T buy them. Into a dumpster.
Fact: When bookstores buy books, they purchase the number they think they can sell. But when they don't sell those books, they rip off the covers (that nice art Kylee loves) and send them back to the publisher. The publisher, then, gives the bookstores their money back on all those books. Covers to the publishers, books in the garbage, money out of the author's pocket.
Me personally? I like the trees in the forest and I like my money in my pocket a little more than I like paper books. Sure, there are drawbacks to the Kindle and there are perks. But in the end, it's not even an argument for me. If I can support authors and the environment at the same time, I'm going to do it.
BUT LET'S BE REAL...TEAM BOOK HAS BETTER MEMES
AND EVEN I HAVE TO ADMIT, I CAN'T DO THIS WITH MY iPAD
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