Books and the coming Ice Age

Photo by Flickr user goXunuReviews

There is buzz afoot that the book in its traditional format is soon to go the way of the dinosaur. The ice age that is coming is named the Kindle, or maybe it will be the nook, or possibly, but less likely, the Sony Reader (doomed because it lacks a jazzy name). Whatever the name, many have already declared the book a kitschy and quaint symbol of a bygone era, like avocado green appliances or a mullet.

There are a couple of reasons this change makes me bristle. First, it opens the door for bookworms, toting their sleek e-readers, to pass as not only normal, but cool. Sure, reading a book on the playground while the other kids played dodge ball didn't do much for my hopes of hipster acceptance, but it did provide a clear and thorough symbol that said "I'm not interested in joining your stupid clique." Now that comic books are mainstream, video games are no longer the realm of the over-30-and-living-with-mom, and books have gotten a makeover thanks to digitization, how is the outsider to declare himself?

And (never start a sentence with and) what about the inability to share e-books? How many of us first read the naughty parts in a Judy Blume novel passed from backpack to backpack behind the backs of our watchful mothers? Is smut as smutty without bent pages and yellow highlighter to draw the eye?

I remember when music first went digital and everyone and his dog started sporting iPods. I worked with a group of music buyers at the time who doggedly purchased full CDs because they wanted the liner notes and the cover art. I regarded these people with bemusement, but as I wax rhapsodic over the virtues of physical books, I wonder if I elicit the same raised eyebrows.

It is entirely possible that I am merely highlighting all the ways I am irrational when it comes to books so tell me Ann Arbor, am I wrong? Have you embraced the e-reader and do you love it? If so, which one do you favor?

Leah Rex has worked in some aspect of the book business for more than half her life. When given the choice between food or books, she will always choose books.