This, that and the other thing

I’ve always loved books and reading. Mom said that I could “read” before I could read, turning the pages at the proper time and reciting what was on each page from memory. But I was an early reader as well. The public library was (and still is) a treasure and I knew the location of every horse-related book in it.

When our girls were old enough that I could get library cards for them, I did, which meant each of their cards as well as mine would have up to 50 books checked out and when the first Half Price Books opened in our Cleveland suburb, I was the first customer in the door. I spent a lot of money there, even at half price, and homeschooling gave me an even better excuse. 🙂

So let’s talk books.

How do you read? Books, e-books, or audio books? I think those are the only choices, but if you read via scrolls, hieroglyphics in ancient tombs, or some other exotic method not mentioned here, feel free to enlighten us.

I remember when the first e-readers came out. They caused a stir in the blogging world, mostly discussions about whether “real” books were better or e-books. I would say the majority of people raved about their preference for real books: liking to hold the book, the smell of a new book, etc. However, my take was a bit different.

I love books, real books and I like to read. And if I’m going to Europe to visit my sister- and brother-in-law and can take hundreds of books on my Kindle, why would I not want to do that? How is that worse? It’s allowing me to indulge in reading in English anywhere I am.

But I didn’t really use e-books much until Covid came around and, horror of horrors, the libraries and all their real books were CLOSED!! E-books were what there was. But a funny thing happened when Covid ended: many people evidently decided they preferred e-books. Thus when new books by various popular authors arrived, there might be 300+ people waiting for one e-book. Even if the e-book could only be checked out for two weeks…well, not everyone reads as fast as I do and it could be several years before I’d get the book.

On the other hand, the library had multiple copies of actual books and many less people waiting. Real books to the rescue. Besides, the library always has a certain amount of new books by popular authors on their 7-day Express shelf, so often I get a book before my hold on that same books arrives.

That’s me. Now, it’s over to you? How do you read?

(No book/author recommendations yet please. We’ll get to those in later posts.)