Books, Etc.

I've blogged many times about reading. And I've reviewed dozens of books for kids here and elsewhere. I've even written and had books published.

But why do I care about reading so much?

In the first place I think it's one of the most important skills people can have. Reading informs us, helps to shape our personalities, entertains us, stretches our minds, helps us understand people different from ourselves, and provides respite from our problems.

I'm pleased to live in a community where people often line up waiting for the library doors to open.

A while back I had a bumper sticker made that says "Bookaholics Unite" and some other people have asked me where to get a sticker like that. (Maybe I should have more printed and sell them. Ya think?)

Lately bookstores and chains have been closing, newspapers and magazines have gone out of business, publishers have merged, and the internet is full of discussions about the future of books.

Zillions of self published books are competing with traditionally published ones and e-books are spreading like wildfire. (Please pardon the cliche.)

One problem with the proliferation of e-books is that the technology becomes outdated so books people buy today may not be readable in the future, but most often books are only read once anyway.

Personally, I still prefer hard copies and have lots of things on my e-readers I've never bothered to read. But, in the long run,  I don't think it matters whether people read hard copies, e-books, or handwritten scrolls just so we continue to read.

Importance of Books

In this modern world full of technological advances many people are suggesting books may become obsolete. I think they're wrong.

It is true that books took the place of scrolls, paper took the place of vellum, and printed books took the place of handwritten ones. Maybe in the future people will consider e-books more convenient than hard copy ones. It would certainly be an improvement if students could read their textbooks on e-book readers instead of carrying heavy copies in their backpacks. And there are times when entertaining children with e-books on a small, hand-held device is extremely helpful.

But bookaholics like me will always enjoy turning battery-free pages and nothing can take the place of a parent reading a bedtime story out loud from a traditional picture book.

In the 1940s many people thought TV would make movies obsolete, and my grandfather told me when movies were first invented people said they would completely replace plays. Obviously neither has happened. I think there will always be room for both traditional hard copy books and whatever kinds technological advances produce in the future.

Thrifty Book Buys: e-books are Green - They Save Trees

Janet Ann Collins wants you to know: The word is out. . .

Children's e-Books, on CD or Download,

Are the Bargain of the Year!

Cheaper than paper, they are the epitome of "GREEN." These are QUALITY BOOKS - fun, inspirational and educational.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

BUY a "green" CD and save a tree. Do your bit to save the planet!

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Kids Are Computer Savvy!

ADD to a LAPTOP or PC

and

Books on CD can distract kids before a doctor or dentist appointment, on rainy Sundays, holidays. . . , or in the back seat on long car trips. <><><><><><><><><><><><>

Visit Guardian Angel Publishing

Find a wide range of wonderful children's books, by authors who care about children.

On Download, CD, and . . . . . Hard Copy!