Death of the Book.

With the recent closure of two of the biggest book store company's in Australia (Angus & Robertson, and Borders), I've has begun to wonder if this is the death of the book? Not only have we suggested that its demise is in the near future, but in a fit of panic, have run out to buy every e-book/electronic reading tablet we can get our dirty paws on.

Coincidentally, Apple opened its iBook store the other day, leading to a whole new realm of market ownership, with the store only selling books that are compatible with Apple products. Just like the iPod and iTunes, Apple will now have a huge monopoly on the market.

But what happened to the good old paperback? The Beatles sung about wanting to be a paperback writer, so will Rebecca Black now release a song declaring her desire to be a Kindle-typer? Bad jokes aside, I'm not yet ready to enter a world where the book has become but a mere memory of yesterday, thrown into the pile of unwanted technological junk next to the Nokia 6110. There are but a handful of book stores left in the world, with the common man sitting on his daily train ride flipping through his copy of 'Catcher in the Rye' on his iPad.

I just can't see how anybody could actually enjoy the idea of reading an entire novel, or even a text book on a screen. I struggle to get through this 200 odd word rant without having to stop and stare into the abyss that is reality for a few seconds, for fear that my eyes may well turn square. I already need the assistance of spectacles in day to day life and I doubt very much that by spending my spare time reading off a bright screen, that I will be able see my own reflection by the time I am 30.

There is so much that is beautiful about reading a book. The smell, tagging the pages and writing little notes or circling your favourite phrases. Even being able to see how far you've gotten into it as it sits on your desk is a part of the fun of reading. I take a huge amount of pride in my book collection. It make sit on my shelf all dusty and piled up like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but each book tells a story. Not just it's own narrative, but a time in my life. I suppose they are kind of like photos for me, as each one brings back memories. My childhood books are my favourite- the entire collection of Roald Dahl stories sits on my shelf and every time I see it it gives me that warm feeling inside and reminds me of being a kid.

When my generation is dead what will they pass on to their children and grandchildren. Their hardrives? Their USB stick full of e-books? Their 2009 Macbook filled torrents or their FIRST iPod?
How can we throw away one of the most beautiful pieces of art that man has made. Stories are told in many forms, but the book is a medium that HAS to stay. I don't want to look at my kids one day and have them ask what a book is, or a novel or even a magazine. How someone can become completely divulged in an electronic screen that probably has that many distractions and links etc is beyond me.
So PLEASE, save our books, because it may just be the last bit of reality we are holding onto.

This picture was taken at my favourite bookstore- Shakespeare and Co. in Paris. It sells new and used books and is just about the cutest place you'll ever see.