cari · ouweneel

 
So when I heard last Monday that Borders stock shrank to 90 cents per share because they are unable to pay their vendors, my heart sank. The outlook is grim and Borders is the only big bookstore in my hometown. Without it, I’m gonna feel lost. It’s where I first met my critique group and would faithfully bring my ten pages a week to get appraised. It’s where I’ve gone to heal after getting rejected from agents and editors throughout the publishing process. To study books. To learn and grow (seriously, *sappy alert* tears are blurring my vision as I write this).

 
I have to read everyday.  Not only do I love it, but it's part of my job.  I read at least two books per week, sometimes more.  So after all the bad news, I used some leftover Christmas money to buy a Kindle 3G. I will appreciate being able to download a book instantaneously. My writing partners are in love with theirs. I suspect I will be too, eventually. But I can’t help feeling the loss of such visceral moments. Just last night my daughter came in with Sara Dessen’s book Lock and Key from her school library. I said, “Yeah, I love her. That book is on my shelf in the office, feel free to use it.” My son is reading my Harry Potter books. My kids have access to a well stocked juvenile fiction library right in their own home. But now, I realize, with an eReader I will not be willing/able to share with them (until they get their own). *sigh*

 
Like anything in life, I’m sure I’ll adjust and end up favoring the eReader revolution. Bookstores, like publishing houses and literary agencies will be required to change, streamline and tighten their efforts. I liken it to a hard-core revision process in writing: painful, but worth it.

 
All the best,
Cari

P.S.  It was just pointed out to me by my fabulous writing partner @danastrotheide about the whole green aspect of the eReader.  I mean, I DO love that!  Who wouldn't, right?  Less trees getting chopped down for paper...what's not to embrace?  Also, more shelf space in my home.  That's good, too.  See?  I told you I'd eventually be riding the band wagon...

Current Mood:

sad