What is a Book: Blog Post 2

A book is like a getaway vacation. You take a break from reality and journey into a new life you build out on the road, or in a new city. Readers envelop themselves in the plotline that unfolds right in front of their eyes, almost as if they're really there. Books possess more than just a mere plotline and some random characters. Books possess a connection between readers and the book itself, creating almost a third dimension, if you will. Something an electronic device could never do. 

Victor Lavalle said, "[books are] no more divine than a toaster." I completely disagree. I think the physicality of the book, the turning of the pages, looking at the cover in person, seeing the progress you've made in the book, etc., all come together to create an attachment and connection to a book. This connection being the getaway vacation.  With things such as Kindles and Ipads, the feeling of completion as you click to the last page, does not feel as satisfying as if you were to shut the last page in a real book.  The feeling you get as you carry a book down the hall does not convey the same proud feeling as you walk with a piece of technology.  It would almost be like carrying my cellphone….it’s easily replaceable unlike a book.  It’s true both involve the same content, but the lack of connection between a piece of technology and a reader is what separates these dimensions from readers.  But if Lavalle is stuck on books being a toaster, they’re the most divine toaster I’ve ever seen. 

Unfortunately, this divine object I feel will not last forever.  Just as the first generation Ipod and the playstation two were quickly replaced with bigger and badder technologies, I fear so will books.  Readers are quickly seeing this evolution, but I fear books cannot diverge back to its roots, such as the hardback and paperback editions of books, and will no longer survive.  We must say our bittersweet goodbyes and deal with the connection-less world technology has to offer.  I guess we’ll never know the third dimension.