Series 1, Post 1: One Person’s Bias Toward Physical Books

By Sara E Thompto

I was nervous as I walked up to the bookstore, my heart pounding, almost in my throat. Then again, that’s what I was always like when I was going on a first date. This one was different though; this boy wanted to take me to a bookstore. Not any bookstore, but my favorite little hole-in-the-wall bookstore with used books that smelled of age and overuse.

When I walked in he was there already, leaning against a shelf reading a book. We spent hours in that bookstore, browsing the shelves slowly, discussing our favorites and our least favorites. There was not a single book we agreed on. In fact, we strongly disliked most of each other’s choices. Which really should have been my first indicator that he was definitely not the guy for me.  

The Top Reason for My Bias

The memory written above is the number one reason why I will never stop browsing and buying traditional bound books. Not that specific memory, but more or less the idea of it. In my experience books can help develop human connections, such as the one shared. I have yet to have a similar experience while browsing for an e-book.

Recently I drove up to Beatnik Books in Roseville, CA with my brother and wife. I heard a good deal about this locally famous bookstore, and had to check out what all of the fuss was about. The bookstore is rather small and sells used books, but the charm within is vast. While browsing the bookstore my brother discovered a book by one of his favorite sociologists and philosophers and when he opened the front cover, he discovered it was signed by the author. This find was completely unexpected, and as a lover of books, especially rare finds, this book made my brothers day. He bought it, excitedly, and started going into stories about his experience with this sociologist and his college studies and professors of his who would be jealous. This book - this physical object - lit his happiness and we were all able to share in on the experience and connect over this signed edition of The Condition of Man. An experience we wouldn’t have had if he was simply just looking for an e-book, just something to read.

These type of unexpected connections are a constant in my life when it comes to a physical, in your hands, book. As a book lover, sharing books is a natural progression for a strong friendship for me. My closest friends and I have shared books from our own bookshelves, which allows the other person to view your interests more closely, and it becomes something you can bond over. It may sound simple, loaning someone a book, but it can be seen as a sign of trust, bonding the friendship more. You’re loaning someone something you feel strong enough about to share, and you’re trusting they will return the book in the same condition. Not only that, but in some cases, you may be trusting them not to judge you based on your tastes in literature. I know in more than one case I have shared books that I first read in middle school, because no matter how old I am, they will always be my favorites.

Sharing a book this way isn’t something easily done with an e-book. For instance, Amazon only allows the lending of a book for 14 days, and you may only lend out a book once. It also doesn’t offer the same value. Especially if you are someone like me who writes in the margins of a good book, jotting down important thoughts and ideas that you don’t want to forget in reference to the book.

Writing in a book for some is a taboo. For me, it’s an act that allows me to capture the spark of emotion that specific section of the book causes. It’s a tool that helps me remember how I felt at that moment in time the first time I read the book, or the second or third, at different stages of my life.  With an e-book I don’t get that same experience. I can’t jot down a note on the pages of the book to find later, and rediscover how the story resonated with my life at that moment. It’s felt, but forgotten.

I will always love the smell of paper and ink and the weighted feel of a book in my hands, if for no other reason than books connect me with not only others, but myself as well.

With that said, I do believe e-books have their place, and I am grateful for many reasons to live in a time and place where e-books exist. But that blog won’t be coming to you for another week.