Dave, stop being such a book snob!
We all know that Dave's been anti-Kindle since before he even saw one. And I get it, I do. It's that pesky old fear of change thing, right?
Well, that's what I thought. But now Dave's thesis is that the Kindle makes it impossible to impress the people around you with what you're reading. And that's just ridiculous.
First of all, since I've had a Kindle, I've had more people ask to see it -- and in some cases actively bring it to them -- than any book I've ever read. It looks like geek chic is still on the rise, and nothing says cool like a great new gadget.
And secondly, get over yourself!
I read books because I love to read. It's entertaining, it's educational, it's an escape from the stresses of life and it gives me something to discuss with my friends afterward. And e-books embody all of those aspects of reading, just as well as a book.
I don't read to impress other people. And I definitely don't read so that random men or ladies can obsess over me at first glance, as author Ellen Feldman related to the New York Times.
It's like carrying a boom box around instead of listening to headphones, because you want to make sure people notice you and appreciate how great your musical taste is. (And Dave admitted that would be his strategy.) Of course, you also run the risk of annoying everyone within a city block.
In the end, reading isn't about the latest cool accessory. It's experiencing something profound, something enlightening, something silly. I don't need books to pick up men; that's what the Internet is for.
(Photo by lusi at stock.xchng)
Comments
Well, Nancy, I woudn't call it snobbery but I admit that as a book-carrier, I'm continually fending off the advances of charning, intelligent, accomplished women.
Just the other day, Jennifer Aniston jumped out of her Range Rover and sat down beside me at Tapas Teatro, where I was reading Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master.
Last week, as I was sipping Lillet and perusing Chanel in Petit Louis, two French fashion models -- twins, no less -- introduced themselves and asked to join me for dessert.
And a couple of weeks ago, the Eroica Trio accosted me as I sat in the Meyerhoff lobby, reading George Gershwin.
I could go on -- the Kilgore Rangerettes, the female cast members of Chicago, etc. -- but clearly there's something to this "literary desire" thing.
Posted by: Dave | April 28, 2009 12:53 PM
Fight! Fight!
My mom is getting one for Mother's Day.
Posted by: Mary | April 28, 2009 1:04 PM
We saw someone reading on his Kindle at a sidewalk cafe on Sunday and everyone kept asking him about it. I don't think he was getting much reading done.
Posted by: Kathy | April 28, 2009 3:39 PM
In defense of Dave, I have to report that his post (and the NYT article he linked to) gave me an idea for a Kindle clue in a mystery short story I'm writing.
Posted by: Gail Farrelly | April 28, 2009 3:51 PM
Well, I'm pretty sure most people here don't read to impress, but I'm also pretty sure that many people do read just to impress with whatever book they're reading. It's those people that will be negatively affected by a Kindle.
For my part, my eyes get far too tired too quickly when reading something on a screen as opposed to on a piece of paper.
Posted by: gambit3 | April 29, 2009 9:25 AM
About this reading to impress thing:
I have been in a group of strangers (or, semi-strangers) where "What have you read recently" (or some variation thereof) has been asked. (Not a big fan of icebreakers) I tend to edit my response since my trashier reading is something that I only admit to close friends. So, yeah, I do actually read to impress.
Posted by: Eve | April 29, 2009 10:50 AM
Actually, the guy that verbally accosted me because I was reading Daphne Du Maurier - creeped me out quite a lot! He was a little TOO interested, if you know what I mean.
Dave, either you read to read or you read to be picked up. If you read to be picked up, you may get some less-than-desirable dates.
Still shivering at the memory of the Du Maurier guy,
Lauretta
Posted by: Lauretta Nagel(ConstellationBooks) | April 29, 2009 4:26 PM