We may live in paradise, but there are just times, a good book is the cat’s meow. In our dirt dwelling home, we had bookshelves weighted down with books. My fear, moving to the boat, was I’d run out of reading material. Heaven forbid.
Still, I had to make a decision what books to bring, what to leave in storage and what to part with. The last category was the hardest as the first two were the smallest. I had to remind myself to think logically, not emotionally as I made my choices. I felt as if I were ripping my skin raw unburdening the treasures of my life.
The public library ended up being the recipient of over 30 some odd boxes of books. I can only hope they all found good homes. I know my cookbooks, an entire closet full, received good homes among friends and family.
I’ll admit, I still had a trunk load of books headed to the boat when all was said and done. Thank goodness I have a friend near the water who was willing to store some. I’m able to recycle what I keep on the boat.
That all being said, we still have a ton of books with us. They are our friends and companions on long passages, on days when the wind is howling and we can’t go exploring. We re-visit old characters and stories collecting comfort from our friends on the page.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I found a plethora of trading libraries along the cruising routes. I’m delighted to have spots to trade my well worn books and discover new authors and stories. I’ve found new and old favorites along the way.
I am sad to say these trading posts are becoming anemic as the electronic age is catching hold. The Captain and I have signed onto the band wagon as bookstores are few and far between, not to mention finding a place to ship books is difficult. We divest our stores of hands on reading material for the compact size of e-readers. I’m thrilled I can store 3000 books and shop as soon as I finish one fantastic novel ready to read the next.
I have mixed emotions about the way we read books today. I can’t see stacks and stacks of books sitting in the corner waiting to be read. I think I’m actually reading more since the e-reader is so easily transported. Are print books going to be the dinosaurs of the future? Is this good, bad or just the sign of an evolving universe?
I for one am glad I can have all my literary friends with me, but I miss the smell of leather and hard back books as well. The dog eared tags of my favorite books are being replaced by underscore notes directly on the page.
What do you think? Are we heading in the right direction? What are the positive? What are we giving up?
I just got a kindle for christmas….it’s awesome…but I won’t be giving up my print books either. I can see benefits to both sides, but nothing replaces a dog eared book IMHO!
Carrie, I agree. I do wish more of my resource manuals were ebooks however. They do take up a lot of space on a boat.
My Sis has had a kindle for 2 years now. She loves it. I guess I really am not a big reader and won’t be spending money on an e-reader. An occasional trip the the library along with my magazine subscriptions does it for me. But then again I do love a dinosaur 🙂 I think I would really miss holding the book and turning pages. I still send out long hand written letters, too !!! Happy Reading, hugs….
Carol, you do tend to adjust fairly quick. You can now get magazine subscriptions on the kindle and save a tree. Ask your sister to try it see if you’d like it. I just ordered my first cookbook through Kindle. I think it’s fantastic.
Aww, I love seeing those bookshelves, but I get that the ereader is much more practical for your lifestyle. I mean, think of all that storage space your books have! You could put in more cans of evaporated milk. Or chocolate. ; )
Tameri, you make a very good point, adding chocolate would be a terrific idea. Too bad it melts. 🙁
You are right, Nancy. There’s is nothing like the feel and smell of a book. And re-reading an old favorite is like revisiting the past.
I too own a Kindle and it is the greatest thing since sliced bread for the traveler or someone who lives in a foreign land. “Real” book are so expensive to to mail– postage is often more the the cost of the book. With an ebook it’s just a click away.
I don’t think paperbacks will ever go away but they will continue to be pricey. And as most authors know: the royalties are less for an expensive paperback than for an ebook.
Great post. I have books stored in a shed and hopefully one day I’ll get to see them again
Thanks Dannie, I think both versions of reading material will be around for a long time to come, but the physical books are going to be less and less. I’m on the fence whether this is good or not, but all change has a purpose.
I too, hope to see the books I have in storage one day. Thanks for being here on our journey, we love having you.
I know what you mean, Nancy. I’m a “Kindle convert” and have to admit I love it and am able to read far more books with it. I still haven’t completely figured that one out but I know it’s a fact. As a writer and a reader, I felt a bit of a traitor when I realized I had fallen in love with my Kindle. I love to read all the pros and cons to the argument of e-books over print but with a slight tinge of sadness feel e-books are the way of the future. I love the idea of the trading libraries along the cruising routes! Another great example of community.
Patricia, I do believe e-books are the wave of the future whether we like it or now and you are so right, the trading libraries have been an intrigal part of our community.
Sorry to here about the state of the cruiser’s library these days. When we were cruising I found a few gems in various laundry rooms.
Karl, welcome aboard Fawkes for our trip south. It is a sad state of affairs as the book libraries are dwindling. I think cruisers are systematically filling them for a time as they divest themselves of the physical books for the electronic versions, so in five years you may not see them anymore. I too have found some wonderful gems amongst the piles.
Hi Nancy! I’m trying to move out of my little circle of bloggers and visit others and wanted to drop by and say hi! I had forgotten that you are on your voyage. I forget though where the world you are. LOL!!!
I just received a new Kindle and it’s alright. I wish I had bought one with back-lighting because I can’t read it with out a bright light. That said, I’m just getting used to it and I’ll give it some time. Though I do miss my paper books. But I can see how great the ereader would be for your confined storage.
Good to see ya and loved your post! Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Karen, Welcome aboard Fawkes, we’re happy to have you on our little voyage.
When on passage at night I use a zip lock bag to keep the kindle safe from salt water and a red headlight so I’m not blinding my night vision. Works better than a paperback that I have to turn pages with, or would be a pain to keep dry.