Book or eBook? Mom Knows Best

When asked if she was interested in a any of the new eBooks, my Mother simply replied, "No, thanks. I'd rather hold the actual book in my hand." It seems like many of our family and friends keep asking my Mom, the seventh grade English teacher and total book worm , how she feels about these new eBooks that keep popping up everywhere.  My mom claims that she loves the feel of holding a book, and the idea of sitting on a beach reading a good novel or even reading in front of the fireplace on a cold winter's night. I couldn't agree more with my Mom. But don't tell her I said that because I will deny it. Just like Mom, I do love holding a book in my hands and reading it. My eyes are killing me reading the small font on Facebook everyday. It's nice to sit down every once in a while and pick up a good book.

So what is the world's new obsession with these eBooks? Are we too lazy to go around carrying multiple books if we like to read? Or are we yet again wasting away our money on the newest technological devices on the market? I happen to be very curious about this... and I do not have the slightest clue as to why I am curious about this.

My Mom always has her nose in a book. Sometimes even more than one. When I was first learning how to read chapter books, I remember sitting in my room, picking up a Nancy Drew book and trying to read it all by myself. For some reason I felt older and more grown up trying to get through books like that. I wasn't the fastest reader.... nor am I to this day... but reading those chapter books made me feel just like Mom. I felt smarter trying to sound out large words and also felt more confident with my abilities to read different things.

There's just something about reading a book that makes you feel more knowledgeable and intelligent. My personal favorite is reading a hardback covered book. Sometimes, (and I will deny it if this leaves this blog), I like to take the book cover off so the book looks bare and important on the outside....now I know that sounds incredibly childish, but it gives my self esteem a boost when I'm still trying to finish Harry Potter!

I feel like these eBooks are just another device for people to buy and waste their money on. I mean in certain occasions, yes, I do understand the concept. For example,You're a business man or woman. You travel often. Planes, trains, and any other transportation methods you can think of. You can't always purchase books on the go, but your new eBook doohickey can. But how many people, other than business men and women, travel that much that they would need to purchase one of these? The answer? Not that many people!

So the next time you're gallivanting through Barnes & Noble or Borders, (or any other book stores you can come up with,) take a look at that one small eBook display table... and then take a look at the dozens and dozens of shelves that hold those thousands and thousands of books. It's so much nicer to read a book then a screen.