Reading in the new age

I love to read - I love everything about reading from the feel of the book, the paper, the typeface and I even like bookmarks. I heard all the buzz about electronic reading devices - how it's so great not to have to lug a book around; there is the dictionary feature built in so you can look up a word right then and there. And I even heard from a librarian about how much she loved her new Kindle.

So, when my son was going Christmas shopping this year, he called and said that his girlfriend really likes to read books and he was thinking of getting her a Kindle. He asked my opinion.

"Well, I really like to read books too and I would not like a Kindle."

He responded, "Well, too bad. That's what I got you. Get with the times, Ma."

One of the reasons I did not want a Kindle or a Nook was that you had to buy books when the devices first came out. I am a library patron; I buy one or two books a year for myself and I will buy books as gifts. But I would rather wait weeks for a bestseller rather than shelling out $20+ for a book that I will read only once.

When libraries introduced electronic books to patrons, I was a bit intrigued and relaxed a bit in my opinion of Kindles and Nooks. When I opened my Christmas present, surprise surprise, I got a Nook. I was further intrigued and loved the spiffy purple cover for it. I looked at the instructions on the library website for Media on Demand, and thought I had better go to the library to get a demo.

I went to La Grange Park Library and up to the reference desk, where all the librarians are more than willing to help you set up and get going. And it takes all of five minutes to get up to speed. I downloaded a book - a Lee Child Jack Reacher adventure and I was on my way.

And though I am not ready to pitch my bookmarks, I have to admit - I LOVE my Nook.....and this from a staunch non-believer.