What I'm reading.

Not too long ago, the office where I have my "day job" banned all cell phones, pads, etc (anything that connects to the internet, really) from the office.  That means, unfortunately, from the break room, too.  Which has been problematic because we are a society SO connected to our technology. I'm no different.  LOVE my phone, my iPad, checking in with my girls throughout the day, etc.  Also, READING!  I LOVE my iPad for the ease with which I can get a new book, enjoy an old book, or check out a friend's reading suggestion without wondering WHERE I'm going to put ANOTHER hard-copy book!

But now, I can't read on my iPad at work.  And I'm not spending the extra money on an old-school Kindle, and I know a lot of my co-workers feel the same.

It's been interesting to see the reintroduction of the BOOK into our office, and really, our LIVES. I never stopped reading hard-copy books, but I will admit that once I had easy-access to e-Books, I did stop buying many hard-copy books, for many of the reasons mentioned above.  There were somethings I ALWAYS had to have the physical form of (Harry Potter, anyone? Lord of the Rings?) but mainly, I was all eBooks, all the time.

So now, I'm rediscovering books. The way they smell, the way they feel in your hands, that annoying thing when you can't eat your lunch and keep your book open? (yeah, that's made me late back from lunch a few times... lol!)

It's been interesting.  I'm rediscovering old stories that have been gathering dust on my shelves (I rarely get rid of a book.  Hence the space issues), and it's been wonderful.  I'm also rediscovering the generosity of book-readers. We really can't share the electronic versions of our favorite stories; at least, not easily (I think one day, we will) but that hard copy book, oh, that's another matter entirely.  THAT ytou can share with the world! Or at least, a few people sitting near you at lunch.

So, does this mean I'll stop reading eBooks? Now, lets not be silly.  They are UBER-convenient (being able to carry my ENTIRE library with me with I travel? Yes please!) and I do like that I don't have to find a physical place for them in my house.  But I think I will start buying more physical books again. 

But maybe only the really special ones.