Oh my dilemma! we have a Kindle & use it as our library now allows for check out of digital books … but like you, I love having the books to physically touch and lovingly turn the pages! It’s much easier to carry multiples of books on the Kindle (waiting at the dentist or doctors office – don’t have to resort to 2 year old germy magazines, or traveling – this weighs so much less! I have a small library with me this way) — but put me outside in my porch swing and I want to hold a book .. and I want to give my favorites to new moms to start their child’s library and I never have to worry about electricity or battery life when I have a real book.

CC, isn’t that true?  Valid points, for sure.  Thanks for reading! -Nicole

Hi Nicole,
My mother and I have pondered this together many times and we both agree that while the other is convenient there are MANY more reasons to go with paper books. For one, the technology won’t change, like we have seen with music and movies. That keeps things simpler. Another reason is that paper books can be handed down from generation to generation and friend to friend. (My mom always writes in her books the date she reads it and a little note on how she felt after she read it. We both find ourselves re-reading books and strangely enough when we go to record the date it is very close to the time we read it last.) It is true that e-books are probably more green than paper, BUT many of our books are being published on recycled paper and when technology changes where do all those handy devices end up? The enviornmentalist in me appreciates and loves knowing that my books will be recycled…one way or another. Plus paper books help us to be social…we go to the library and bookstores and meet up with others we know. In a world where technology seems to make us more and more anti-social and non-communicative, paper books can actually bring people together. So, I for one, hope and pray that the paper book never goes away. I love to feel it in my hand, I love how they look in my bookcase and love sharing them with family and friends. Long live paper!

Lisa, Nicely put.  Isn’t that the truth?  Also, if you drop a book…nothing happens! -Nicole

The new paperless books make me sad, I enjoy holding a book,turning the pages and curling up with a glass of lemonaide in the summer or a cup of tea in the winter.I too have childhood favs:The Littlehouse Books,Seasore Summer,The Five Little Peppers That Grew,The Street Sparrows. Also, nowadays,anything by Maeve Binchy.I feel bad for todays kids,I feel like some of them won’t know the joy of holding a book for fun. As for me, I’m gonna’go read!

Denise, I will look into your suggestions.  Thanks!  -Nicole

The "Little House Books" of course, I read them to all 7 of my children. Gone with the wind is a treasured book, as a child I enjoyed "Blueberry Summer" also most mysteries (as a child and now as an adult). To me you can’t cuddle up with a good nook, a hot cup of tea and a good nook??? I’ll stick with "real" books as long as I’m able to obtain them. I’ve written you several times before, I enjoy your posts. Thank you.

Patricia, Gone With the Wind…how could I forget that one?  I’ve read that pne several times, starting with grade school.  I always wondered what Margaret Mitchell herself would have done with those characters had she lived to write a sequel.  Thank you again for reading, and commenting.  It means so very much to me!  Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

Thank you for this topic. I also have loved books since I can remember. Oh, the places I have been and the people I have known intimately between the covers of books. The little lifeless machines that come alive with the books brought to us now are wonderful. However, i will always love the paper kinds in a more personal way. I can’t wait to read The Delaney Sisters’……….

Louise Marie, drop me a line and let me know if you read it and what you think!  Always interesting to get others’ opinions on books we love.  I just read Water for Elephants.  One close friend loved it, too, another couldn’t get past the first few chapters.  Me, I was sad when it ended.  -Nicole

I too had a set of the Childcraft encyclopedia and could read by the time I was 3. I remember all the wonderful poems and stories from volume 1. Whatever their monetary value, the books were priceless for engaging young readers.

I wonder how many hours I spent reading and re-reading my mom’s set?  Thank you for reading, Adrienne.  -Nicole

My grandmother had a set of Childcraft books too. I read every one cover to cover. When I was about 7, I was allowed to walk to the library by myself. I didn’t know what books to read so I started with the A’s. Thank goodness the librarian noticed and asked me what I was doing. When I explained, she picked out books for me to read. When I read those, she picked some more. I ended up reading all of Jack London’s books and I was hooked. I have a Kindle but I love my books. My favorite author is Diana Gabaldon. Love her writing.

Joy, Cute story, thank you for sharing!  -Nicole

I can really relate to your old set of books…I finally located my treasured 10 vol. set of "The Junior Classics" by Collier. I had these books in the late 40’s and remembered one story that really stood out. I cried when I re-read it 3 years ago. I have been reading the books cover to cover since then and wish my grandkids weren’t all grown up… well, I do have one 4 yr old… the other 9 are over 18. Maybe I will start with the great-grandkids. Kindles will NEVER take the place of my books. I love turning the pages and feeling the book. Can’t teach this old mutt new tricks!

"Gramma", loved your comment, you made me smile. Thank you! Isn’t it a great feeling to find a favorite book you haven’t seen in ages?  It’s like catching up with an old friend. Farmgirl hugs to you. -Nicole

I have loved reading since I was little. My Mother gave me an old book that she read as a young woman "Clara Barton, The WACS". I think that was the title. I really enjoyed it. She also gave me one titled "Tomas’ Takes Charge" That one I must have read two or three times. My dear Grandmother started me on the Emilie Loring set. She gave me 5 of them and then I collected the rest of the set of 50 books over the years from used book stores and yard sales till I had the entire set. Loved reading them. I also love Diana Gabaldon.

Sheila, how much fun the "hunting" must have been to locate all fifty volumes of that book set! Thanks for reading and commenting!  -Nicole

Funny you would bring up the Childcraft books…I loved those books, especially the book of poetry…I remember in school using that book as a reference when I need to find a poem to memorize…I have a copy of that book, though not the one my mom had, but I love it just the same…and you know what…my kids used it as a reference when they were growing up…it is funny that when I see that book it has the ability to touch a place deep in my heart and memory…

Diane, they were magical books, weren’t they?  Thank you for reading.  -Nicole

I love to read books and can’t imagine not purchasing them or being without libraries. I do have a kindle but do not use it too often, mostly due to the fact that the paper books I purchase I want to hand off to family and friends (which none of them have a kindle and some do not have computers). I of course love to share books with others so this is a major downfall for me with electronic books. Besides who doesn’t enjoy curling up with a good book?

So true!  Thanks for reading! -Nicole

I really enjoyed your article! Making books available both ways is now so important. As much as we can all benefit from the convenience of using electronic devices, the actual pages to touch make certain books and memories real ‘keepers’.

I agree!  Thanks for reading! -Nicole

I have loved books since I was small. Love the feel, the smell, just holding them. When I was old enough (according to my parents; I thought I was ready much sooner), my dad would drop me off at our old hometown library (one of the beautiful Carnegie buildings, sadly now gone to make room for a concrete box)on his way back to work after lunch and pick me up when he got off at 5:00. Four wonderful hours to curl up in one of the big chairs by a tall window and read whatever I wanted! It was magic. Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jan Karon, Agatha Christie, the list goes on forever. I love to have books around and it’s very hard for me to send any of them away. Both of my grown kids are voracious readers and my son’s babies are taking after him. Recently my grandson lost a tooth and the tooth fairy left him a book. He was ecstatic. The worst punishment for either one of them is to take away one of their books at bedtime. I can see where electronic books come in handy waiting at doctor’s offices or traveling, but give my a real book any day.

Karin, thank you so  much for sharing!  I love that the tooth fairy left your grandson a book.  How great is that?  -Nicole

Reading these comments brings back great memories; my favorite Emilie Loring book was "The Shadow of Suspicion". I also love the Gabaldon books and have autographed hardcopies in my library. The new house is craftsman style and has 2 glass bookcases flanking the living room fireplace. I read Vintage Notions this morning, while sipping coffee. Aren’t we blessed to know how to read? Thanks for your blog.

Loreta, Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Your reading spot sounds so cozy!  Enjoy! -Nicole

I have never used a Kindle or any such device. Lord willing, never will;) We live in such a high paced, technological world that simple pleasures MUST have a place. There is nothing like sitting down to read a good book or series of books. I call them "reading vacations". They bring rest to my soul and rest to my body and mind.

As for my favorites, too many to share but probably Little Women and Little Men. My sister and I were given a set in 1972 and then a set of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensability in 1972. We were 11 and 12. I hoarded the Louisa May Alcott set and she the Jane Austin set. When I was younger I read my set at least once a year but sometimes 2 or 3. I read it to my children at least 3 times. I hadn’t read them in about 8 or 10 years and decided to read them again this winter. Doesn’t matter how many times I read them I always cry in the same places, laugh at the same escapades and delight in the charm of these dear books.

Another set that I have read a number of times as a child and then passed on to many young girls is the Betsy – Tacy serier. What a delightful and charming series of days gone by.

Fun, fun, fun!

Beverly, I agree.  I re-read my favorites over and over, too.  It’s like visiting with old friends.  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole