For a little while now I’ve been trying to compile a list of books I want to have before our little one is born. Unfortunately a lot of this is going on in my head because I’m really no good at writing things down. Even when I have my Pocket PC on me I fail to jot down any ideas that I come up with. Google has a pretty extensive book search and they even have some free digital copies. This now raises the question of whether or not I want to have the physical books or just download what I can and perhaps invest in a reading appliance. One unfortunate thing about some of the free digital copies is that they are of early pressings. This is a problem because some books, like Arabian Nights, are translated in Old English. It makes for a difficult read, especially to a child. It would be like reading unabridged Shakespear. There are a lot of words and use of words that aren’t used anymore.
I don’t know, there’s something to be said about a bookcase filled with books. At the same time however, in this day and age, is it really practical? With the social conciousness pushing towards environmental awareness and what seems to be a sort of less is more philosophy is it the right thing to do?
Are we headed towards a time when our children will soon forget the feel of paper and future generations never knowing it at all?
I adore books and would absolutely not deprive my child of that tactile experience. At least books can be recycled many times, and even passed down through generations. There is nothing quite like the smell and feel of an OLD book.