When my shelves get too full...I just get more shelves.

I think this is an idea that will gain popularity and general acceptance as the current "schoolage" generation grows older. We have found this with an organization to which I belong-the older members hate being forced to read the newsletter online, the younger members can't understand why we would go to the expense or the paper of mailing a hard copy to every member. (We save thousands of $$ a year doing it online! amazing.)
I like curling up with a book, a blanket, a cat and a cup of tea-throwing the laptop in there makes the curling part a little difficult-but I class myself more and more with the "older members" and I know the change is coming! (No, not THAT change. The tech change. sheesh!)

Agreed with ccr, the digital youth will slurp ideas like this right up, and hopefully start reading more!!

This has become my pet peeve. Actually its more than a peeve. I am really saddened by the decline of the use of paper.
Do you know that car dealers ( at least here in NY) don't hand out brochures anymore? "Everyone can find everything they need on line." Huh!
My twelve-year old niece heard me talking to her mother about encyclopedias and she said "We learned about those in class last year."!!! Not learned FROM them, but ABOUT them.
I could go on but I won't. Very sad. Thanks for letting me vent!

I know how you feel. A few years ago, I met this woman who had gone to law school and was in the middle of her master's of law. Anyway, she told me that in her FINAL year of law school, she discovered that there were actually PAPER copies of the law reporters (the books which report cases). I was ...... astonished.

And then there are my friends who are in their early 20s. They see records and turntables but .... they look at them as being very ancient. Even the CD is going the way of the record player as people are just using digital music on their mp3 players.

Ok, not handing out brochures would be a GOOD thing. I hate it when those things get stuffed into my mailbox!

Does reading long items bother anyone else's eyes? I love my computer and the internet but for long term reading I need a book. My eyes can't handle the screen as long as they can handle a book. Also, I usually read in a reclined position which makes a better more comfortable.

Yes, my eyes get tired and as much as I love the internet, its not relaxing. It will never replace the whole comfy chair - dog at your feet - cup of tea in one hand - book in the other - thing.
I have cancelled my local paper delivery because they have a website and I don't miss all the recycling! But when I'm choosing my next car I WANT A BROCHURE!

If the only books available were online, my reading would decline. I don't want to sit in front of the screen and read, whether it be portable device or traditional computer. My eyes get tired, and there is something satisfying about turning the pages.

Note to self - order those Encyclopedia Britanicas while you still can!

PAM

Pam,

turning the pages and also the smell, maybe it's a little weird but I love the smell of the paper and the ink, etc of books!

As much as I enjoy reading news, blogs, RP, etc., online, I need that book in my hands. When the power goes out or the batteries die, the ink and paper are still there. Besides, you can't write notes in the margins online ;)

deborah, yes! The smell of a book - new or old. Lovely. An old book smells like I imagine history to smell. Don't tell me it is mildew or fungus or bacteria or whatever. To me, it shall always be that beautiful warm and cozy smell of an old book. And a new book, with fresh ink smell and the pages sometimes sticking ever so slightly, oh, that is the smell of adventure. I very much doubt a trindle kindle or frindle or whatever shall ever smell as lovely as a book.

And to sheri, I agree with the note-taking, too! Yes, we need that white space in the margin! (for certain books, others are completely off-limits for notation in my house.) My reading bag is never without a highlighter, a notebook and a red pencil. No, reading a screen shall never ever compare.

Technology is just another reason why I have to stock up on books.
PAM

Oh, I agree about the scent of a book. You know your addicted to books if you practically snort up a book! I do agree with prefering an actual book. I get a strange satisfaction in being able to place a finished book on my self when im done with it...
But I do think online books have some place. I like to go to this site called Online-Literature.com. It has nearly 2,500 classic books, short stories, and poetry. So far i've only read a short story by E.M. Forster (Room With A View) and one by Elizabeth Gaskell...lets see now...Cranford I believe it was.
I don't think I could read War&Peace online, but I like to read short stories instead of haveing to go and buy an $8 book thats so short it will barely last me only a day.
Online reading is also good when you can't get to the book store (like when its winter and the snow is measured in feet!) and you dont want to read whats allready on the TO READ shelf.
Thanks for the name of that other site!
CMK