Book Love

Today I read an article discussing the merits of audiobooks. While I have nothing against using any means necessary to encourage literacy, there is something to be said for the merits of holding a book in one's hands. First, this is the phyical manifestation of an author's hard work. Many hours of sweat and rewrites go into crafting a manuscript designed to evoke emotions beginning with the eyes. Many audiobooks fail to capture finite details only brought out on hardcopy pages. For example, when I listened to an audiobook biography recently, I knew the basic story. However,even more details came to light when some members of my bookclub talked about specific incidents they felt had a much greater impact on their opinion of the person. I, too, felt the same way after reading that version. Finally, nothing compares to the tactile pleasure of choosing a particuar book. Whether it's a library,bookstore, or flea market, the thrill lingers long after the book's finished. Yes carving out time to read is challenging, but the results may pay off in ways never imagined after you've completed it. Happy reading!