Thing 20 - Book 2.0

The bound book history is one of transitions: from scrolls to codexes, to hand-bound to mass production. In all, this encompass nearly 2000 years of history (starting with codexes as the precursor to modern books). If technology hasn’t replaced art (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc) why are we so determined to think it will replace books. What technology has done is supplement and enhance the arts. This idea that technological sources and equipment (Kindles, e-books, etc) will replace 2000 years of tactile sensory relationships that human beings have with printed and bound materials is developing into a serious post modern debate. But I wonder how much of this debate is being driven by the manufactures of technology and media vs. actual readers of print matter.

Reading an e-book, a Kindle or other electronic delivery source does not transfer the same sense of warmth and satisfaction as reading from a print book. No Kindle will ever have the smell of a freshly cracked open book. A folder filled with e-books on your laptop will never be as inviting as a wall filled with shelves of books. Browsing Amazon and electronic libraries does not instill a sense of wonder and excitement in a new generation of readers like coming to your local library for the first time.

I don’t feel that electronic distribution of print matter is “THE” future of books. I feel it is “A” future for books. I feel that it can enhance accessibility in the same way that soft cover trade paperbacks allowed for a boom in the publishing market. It will reach a new generation of readers and allow for “more” choices. I don’t think it ever be the only choice available… at least not in my life time. There might be a day when print materials a relegated to “art house” standards, but that is a long ways away.

With regards to the Book 2.0 (is there any type of “fill in blank” 2.0 that does not exist any longer?) I feel that to each their own. Reading should be pleasurable. If you find a tool such as Metacritic or Booksfree or Sillybooks that enhances your use of a book, then go for it. I know that I frequently will read reviews of authors before buying a book unseen. It doesn’t always influence my choice of reading, but I like to know the style of an author or how far along a series is before I make the choice to read a book. Review sites and author wikis are invaluable resources for this information. I think Book 2.0 tools only hamper one’s reading experience if you solely base your decision for reading a book based on information from the tool. Sometimes you just have to pick a book up at random and enjoy the ride.