Friday, September 25, 2009

Brave new world my foot!

A library without the books - The Boston Globe

I recently saw this post on the Texas Book Festival facebook page. If you read my last post, you know that I love to read. This trend disturbs me on so many levels. I cannot believe that this man calls himself an educator. He states that this is not discouraging students from reading. Perhaps not, but it certainly does discourage finding new and exciting voices in literature. There is simply no substitute for the doors that are opened by browsing a bookstore or library bookshelf, scanning the flyleaf or reading a few lines and discovering a new author or subject that excites you. Not to mention the serenity of curling up with a good book and a cup of tea at the end of a whirlwind day and escaping for awhile into other worlds. Sorry, but curling up with a laptop just isn't the same! Click on the link if you want to see the future of education. I don't know about you, but this scares me silly!

I will be the first to admit that books can take up a lot of space in your home.....


Living room bookshelves. This is after culling, but the shelves are starting to fill back up...

Magazines are great when you don't have alot of time before work. Just a quick article or two (or three, or - oh darn, I'm late!) What you can't see is the two storage ottomans under this basket - yes, they are full. Of books!

We are equal opportunity readers in this house. This is a small part of my husband's collection of books on guitars, music and photography...

Overflow from living room - had to build new bookcase for the hall...

Guest room bookshelves. And yes the walls are still purple (this was Cait's old room). I've been too busy reading to paint lol.

So please, run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore or library and rediscover the joy of reading. Before it's too late!







31 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Great post Kat. I really hope they don't discourage young people from learning to love books and the joy of reading. Where will we be then? Love ya, Hugs, Marty

Lori E said...

That would be sad wouldn't it. I like to wander through a library and look at things I never would have thought to look at otherwise.
BTW I also love the purple/black tulips and I pair them with creamy white ones and it is stunning.

xinex said...

You are right, Kathy. Laptops are not the same as reading a book. I always like seeing books on bookshelves, after all, there is no such thing as laptop shelf or computer shelf...Christie

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Kat! I so agree with you!!! The same thing is happening right here in my county!! We have just been told that three of our libraries will be closed and turned into what amounts to computer labs!! Since when is that a library?? I am such a visual person that I need to see the books, look at the jacket, hold it in my hand. I love to take my paperbook out on the beach, spindle and mutilate it as it gets covered with sunscreen and sand!! I love it that my cookbooks have stains all over the pages of my favorite recipes! You can't do that with a laptop! Surely there will always be books in print! I am with you on this one, girl!! Happy weekeknd...Debbie

DesignTies said...

Technology is getting scary -- it's taking over everything. I read a post over at Dumbwit Tellher about video ads in magazines. What's wrong with just regular plain old words and pictures on paper??

I don't know if you ever saw the Anne of Green Gables movies. The one scene that made me all tingly was when Anne receives the copies of her published book. The way she rubs the leather cover and the look on her face.... I want to feel what it's like to have a book published one day :-)

I have expensive taste too. But sadly, I also have the champagne taste on a beer budget problem ;-)

Hubby helped me with my homework -- math is hard!!

Kelly

easternsparkle said...

There's nothing nicer than a new book with a beautifully smooth spine and unturned pages! I hate it when hubby gets to a new book before me!

Books for ever!

Unknown said...

Kathy, Thanks for stopping by, that Hoosier cabinet was a yard sale find almost 20 years ago, it was the first morning of the show, I knew the seller, barely, and she offered it to me for only$250, I pulled out my checkbook so fast, smoke came pouring out of my purse, and although her husband was not happy saying, dear you arent supposed to reduce the price the first morning of the show, I bought that beauty right away, lol. I am a huge reader also, and love a good book.I have never been much of a book buyer, except kids books, which I love to buy, but I am a huge library goer and book borrower. And no I dont want to snuggle up in bed, with my laptop to read! Thanks for sharing! Sue

Silvia said...

hi kathy... i know exactly what you are saying, we got books all over the house, mostly Sophias, need a new bookcase but i havent seen any that i like, so if you thinking of getting rid of one let me know,i'll take it,lol...
so nice to hear from you! please come by again. thanks for your lovely comment about my sophia..

have a wonderful sunday...

xx, Silvia.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Kat, girl I just could not think about cuddling up with a good laptop and a hot cup of tea...Guess thats why I love books do much ...nothing beats a good book and a quiet evening to me...I even like to listen to books while I clean ha ha!! may you have a great day my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Kathy...

Just wanted to come by to say thank you for visiting and leaving me such a sweet note! Girlfriend, surely...I say SURELY...computers will not replace a book! I don't care how you spell it...it's just not the same!!! You know, there are great things that this age of technology/computers has brought and then there are some real "cons" as well! I don't know...it's all a bit scary to me...maybe I'm just too old fashioned! I like what Deb said in her comment...there's nothing like a great old cookbook thats been stained up with bits of the recipe! Hehe! OMG...you should see some of mine! Well my friend, I think as long as we stand firm...and hold onto our books...we can save them from extinction!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari

Amy said...

Great post! You are right reading from a computer is just not the same. I hope reading a good book will not become a thing of the past like writing a letter by hand is now.

Dawn Marie said...

I'm a reader also, but not as much as I would like to be. BUT,,to me there is no subsitution of a book and your right curling up.

Homes should be full of books, they take us to places we sometimes cannot get to.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

I LOVE books. I think I read some where that "books are like old friends". We have a built in tall bookcase in our bedroom with lots & lots of books. I would love to have a library! Anyway, I've been sick the last 2 days and each day I have re-read a favorite book (A Garden in Paris AND A Hilltop in Tuscany). They make you forget you have a fever and a cough. I am into my 3rd re-read today (Searching for Eternity, by Musser). I can't read on the computer screen - what is that doing to our eyes???!!! Linda

Unknown said...

Amen, I love my books. I remember when Jackie O died they said she was surrounded by love - her family, close friends an her books.
Happy Twirls

JennyMac said...

Even though I have a Kindle, and love it, this is a very very sad proposition to me.

Debra Howard said...

Great post. I have shelves lined with books and magazines everywhere through out my home. I also love reading from my laptop. I love going to librarys and bookstores. I love the smell of books and just the general way you feel in a room filled with books. I hope it doesn't go away. I for one will always have books around me in my home.

Anonymous said...

I love to read, period.
I would love a library room.
Can't imagine life without it.
TV stinks, new reaks, movies are foul. A good novel... aahhh!
Lee

xinex said...

Thank you for your sympathy and visit, Kathy! Hope you are having a nice week.....Christine

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I agree with your comments about libraries with vs. without books. I am a great user of libraries and have a library card to two different libraries. One is near my home and one is near where I worked. I even take out magazines as well as books.

DesignTies said...

I think between your books and your hubby's guitars, there wouldn't be room for anything else in The Little House!! :-)

I haven't been able to find out whether or not the house has been sold yet. I'll let you know if do...

Kelly

Melissa Miller said...

We LOVE to read around here too Kathy! There is nothing so simple and wonderful to do for us. It's so relaxing isn't it. You all have so many great books. How awesome!

Thanks for your kind encouragement my friend. I do feel much better now!

Blessings and Happy Fall! ~Melissa :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Kathy!

I enjoyed your comment on my blog..thanks! :-)

I read the article and I can not believe that man is an educator either! Exchanging books for espresso machines and large screen TV's...what is he thinking?
I am a book lover and my children are book lovers and I've already introduced my little grandson to many books. Reading is a gift we carry all our lives and to exchange it for technology is sad.
Long live books!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Nothing...I mean nothing will ever replace books as far as I am concerned!!! I love everything about them...their feel...their smell...how they look...everything!!!

Great post!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Nothing...I mean nothing will ever replace books as far as I am concerned!!! I love everything about them...their feel...their smell...how they look...everything!!!

Great post!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Lori said...

I would have to agree with you I don't think curling up with your laptop is the same as curling up with a book!! We go to the library all the time!!!

By the way I changed my blog name to Life as Lori
http://lifeaslori.blogspot.com/

Gretchen said...

Nothing can replace a good book. There's something magical about walking into a room full of books or a private library; the feeling emits peace, words coming to life and immense imagination. It's going to the movies in your mind. :) ~Gretchen

Gretchen said...

Nothing can replace a good book. There's something magical about walking into a room full of books or a private library; the feeling emits peace, words coming to life and immense imagination. It's going to the movies in your mind. :) ~Gretchen

Gretchen said...

Nothing can replace a good book. There's something magical about walking into a room full of books or a private library; the feeling emits peace, words coming to life and immense imagination. It's going to the movies in your mind. :) ~Gretchen

Rajesh said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rajesh said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rajesh said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.