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How many still read a physical book? Just curious....

Due to disease, I must use my tablet to read. I don't like it and very much miss real books.
ArtieKat · M
Real books! I love the feel of them, the look of them on my bookshelves - and owning them!
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Camelia I have lights too! It looks amazing though makes me sad I can't just pick one up and read it anymore.
Camelia · F
@Mikla Sorry ❤️
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Camelia Oh please don't be! It could always, always be worse. Thank you for your kindness!
nicedave · 41-45, M
I prefer the look and feel of a real book
Justme5868 · 31-35, M
I love reading I think you still don't get something more transporting and relaxing than reading a book I read a really awesome one this week it is called " the travelers gift " and there is nothing like the smell of a book Shop maybe I'm a nerd somewhere inside
Quakertrucker · 70-79, M
I ONLY read paper - 40+ monthly magazine subscriptions, and several books a week.

I love the tactile sensation of turning the pages.
Mikla · 61-69, F
exexec · 61-69, C
I always read a physical book for each book I read on my kindle. Plus, I have a large library of books that I use for reference or to read for enjoyment.
SW-User
I love physical books and graphic novels and I have a large collection of them. I love going to book sales and getting them for $2 or less. I've tried to read from a tablet, but I couldn't focus as well. I like to read by a window with natural light. I think e-readers are great for some people, especially to save space and to enlarge the print if you have vision issues, but they're not for me.
Camelia · F
I do! I love the smell of old books.

Is that strange? Lol
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Camelia Not strange at all, I am the same.
I stll read a physical book.
The smell of its paper, style of type face and binding, is a tangible experience e-readers can't reproduce.
It's also tied to good memories of rainy Saturdays at libraries among all the physical copies.
@Mikla They are wondeful places! 😌

That's really cool! It's a fine art, book binding. There's a company in San Fransisco that still does it the old fashioned way---lead type sets, and all.
Authors can get their copies custom bound.

You'll love this.
Here's one in SF for authors and artists artists: Beautiful and inspiring. I want my first book to be printed here.

[media=https://youtu.be/i-5NhxYRqUI?t=67]

Watch, or listen on headphones.

https://craftsmanship.net/printing-with-love/

https://www.arionpress.com/
Mikla · 61-69, F
@SethGreene531 Thank you SO much for this...much appreciated!
@Mikla For sure, you're welcome; enjoy!!
(BTW Thanks for adding me ☺️)
AlienFox · F
I read quite a bit and a few at once. I love written words
smiler2012 · 56-60
@Mikla 😞sorry that is a case it is something forced on you due to disease and really is an itch you cannot scratch . you have to deal with this misfortune the way you are it is a pity all the same it takes the enjoyment out of reading for you
Mikla · 61-69, F
@smiler2012 It certainly feels like I'm lacking something of substance when I read. On the bright side, I've made many happy giving them (who I know will actually appreciate it) my cherished hardcover books. So that's something!
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
I'm sat here looking at about ten books i've bought but yet to read.
My eyesight has gone downhill so much i need new glasses but i can't get a test before November.
I can understand your frustration. ❤️
I only read real books. The experience isn't the same for me with a reader.
But in the case of a medical issue I'd take the reader over not reading at all.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@robingoodfellow I am fortunate that a reader IS available. I couldn't live with not reading at all (so to speak).
I still like reading physical books. I'm sorry you've had to resort to your tablet. I'm sure you miss the books. I would, too. 🫂
Mikla · 61-69, F
@PhoenixPhail Things could be much worse for me than reading on a tablet,lol. Seriously, I am lucky there even is a thing to read upon. It's the same but what is?
Me. Reading from a screen bothers my eyes. It’s also harder for me to concentrate on words that are on a screen.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Colonelmustardseed I am really happy to see most people who responded DO love real books.
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
Very rare for me. No space for them. I still prefer them if I have desk space though.
Quakertrucker · 70-79, M
@PhilDeep
One note about collecting books - and over my recent 72nd year, I have collected (and given away thousands - and never charged anything for them):

Remember that you are responsible for what your spouse or significant other has to go through after you die - assuming, of course, that since men tend to die younger, and you are 5 years younger than your wife (or, at least, I am) you will die first.

Does she have to sort through your collection of thousands of books from many genres - science-fiction; alternative reality (I don't know what the term would be but something that would include "Narnia" and "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy"); history, science, mystery, labor, philosophy, etc. in mine - or have you presorted and predisposed of, saving her the emotional and time consuming task of sorting thousands of books; giving away, or leaving them at Goodwill or similar charitable organization?

I can't think of the Swedish word, but it means "death cleansing", and means going through your possessions before you die - thus saving your beloved one that tedious task.

About a year ago, I started on that job - beginning with my books. I started packing a book box - mover term - or two with books that I intended to give away. I included Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Asimov, Jack London, Arthur Clark, Maupin, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Bukowski, many children's books/series from the early-to-mid 20th century - as well as many of lesser renown, and some of no reknown. I included a pristine copy - not old, just not tattered and torn - of Ulysses.

I have kept the box - or, sometimes, boxes - filled and in our main car. Whenever I see one of the small personal libraries - and, I know where three are in my county - I always stop and fill it up. I then refill the box(s) when I get home. I have even put books into these mini-libraries while on trips to the Detroit, Michigan area and to Columbus, Ohio.

I have now saved my wife the strain and trouble of having to sort through about 6,000 books. Now, I still need to give away about another 3,000 before I am called up yonder. The preceding is just being used as a metaphor, though I am a Christo-Centric Quaker!

Next, I need to start on hats - the only thing besides books that I have ever collected. I have a collection of about 50 XXL (size 7 3/4) hats in all styles - homburg, porkpie, fedora, newsboys caps, top hat, stove pipe top hat, 10 gallon hat, Gilligan - I can't think of the name for the type of hat that he wore throughout the series. My hats also come in many materials: cotton, wool, straw, and leather of several thicknesses and design or bareness. I also have Stetsons and Borcalinos among other name and nameless brands.

I will have a hard time convincing myself to give up my hat collection - which was begun my senior year of high school in Spring, 1970, when someone jokingly gave me a yarmulke. Other than baseball style caps and winter hats, I had never owed a single hat; but that joke put me on the road of collecting hats, and searching out men's hat stores whenever I am on the road - resulting in the purchase in 2006 in Albuquerque of a grey wool 10 gallon hat with a 6 inch brim, as well as a white, straw 10 gallon hat with a 5 inch brim, both of which will need homes if I can convince my wife of my need to do this to make sure that her job post-me is easier.

Now, I will just have to convince myself to start giving away hats as well as books. I will also have to figure out how to give the hats away - carefully considered and orchestrated gifts to friends or acquaintances, or just donations to charities - like Goodwill or Volunteers of America.

Time will tell!
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
@Quakertrucker I've thought about this for sure. I've given away hundreds too. Definitely plan on giving away more. I don't have much in the way of family but I plan to clear out well in advance of life expectations if I can. Thanks for sharing and all the best to you and yours.
Ontheroad · M
That's a bummer, I still read a real book at least half the time, but I also like to read books on my tablet.
I do! Some need to be held and loved. But I also have quite a few electronic books.
I do read them but lately I rarely read anything.
LugNuts · 56-60, M
Yes. I always have a book on the go.
Canuckle · 51-55, M
Both are options for me.
Only when it's cheaper.
SW-User
I like to have several books on the go.
Pick them up, and put them down.

Read more on holiday.

Have my favourite authors.
Sevendays · M
I am a Stephen King fan and find myself reading some of my favorites again, the physical book. My face is The Stand.
Sojournersoul · 100+, M
Only on my tablet. Have not pick up a book in a long time.
NativePortlander · 51-55
My asigmatism I have had since childhood has gotten worse, I can no longer read print books or magazines :( At least my kindle has text adjust.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@NativePortlander I get that completely! :)
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
Read the original 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, much better than the films ... the scene where he's been chased back to his Castle over the Bodega Pass, just brilliant
Mikla · 61-69, F
@BigGuy2 I'm impressed! I would love to read it one day.
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
@Mikla 👍👍👍 the way he wrote the scene, the sense of urgency, had me thinking "quick, hurry up, catch up before he gets into his Castle"
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
y thank u again 🤭🤭🤭

 
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