In a related question to last week’s–

I was reading the other day a quote from JFK Jr who said on the death of his mother, that she died surrounded by family, friends, and her books. Apparently, Jackie’s books were very much a part of HER, her personality, her sense of self.

Up until recently, people could browse your bookshelves and learn a lot about you–what your interests are, your range of topics, favorite authors, how much you read (or at least buy books).

More and more, though, this is changing. People aren’t buying books so much as borrowing them from the library. Or reading them on their e-readers or computers. There’s nothing PHYSICAL on the shelves to tell strangers in your home, for better or worse, who you ARE.

Do you think this is a good thing? Bad? Discuss!

I am one of those people that is holding onto physical books.  I love browsing through bookstores.  I love browsing through other people's collections.  I really love discovering personality through libraries.  I am concerned that going digital destroys the discovery factor.  Of course, J has completely embraced the digital age.  He's trying to convert me to digital.  I'm resisting.  It would be easier to put my books on a digital device and not carry around all these heavy books.  But then I don't have the physical comfort of a book.

I want a physical library in my house.  I want to see the books that I've read or really want to read.  I want to see the fruits of my labor.  I am sad for the death of the physical, but I'm sure I'll get over it.

Small victory: J bought me a reading chair for the living room.