Books and iPads and Kindles and Nooks… and BOOKS!

Technology is a grand thing altogether, isn’t it? I love reading books on my iPad.  There are other electronic readers out there; Kindle comes to mind. I can find books long, long out of print and download them, often free, in many formats like ePub for my iPad, Mobi, PDF and the list goes on.

The electronic reader is so versatile and convenient. I have hundreds of books at my fingertips, no matter where I am, without the need for lugging a bag-full of printed matter.

I said all that to say this. No matter how marvelous the electronic reader, there is nothing like the heft of a book in my hands. And the smell! Which of you smells your books? A new book has a crisp, fresh odor of virgin paper and ink while an old book has the warm, delicious aroma telling of the passage of time. The brittle, yellowed pages send tantalizing sensations upward from my fingertips as I pause to wonder how many fingers have turned these hallowed pages.

Bookshelves are a necessity for our ever-growing collections, aren’t they? Where do you store your books? Are they neatly arranged, perhaps alphabetically, in even rows like soldiers awaiting the call of duty? Or, are they haphazardly tossed here and there on shelves, tables, pianos, and windowsills? I rather like the idea of books being scattered about in every room of the house. No matter where I am, I can pick up an old friend and read a few lines, or a few pages.

I stumbled across this site, Bookshelf Porn, a few days ago. I’ve revisited it several times to marvel at the books and bookshelves pictured there. I’ve added a few to this post, but to really indulge yourself, go on over to Bookshelf Porn and gaze in awe and wonder. Who knows, if you’re anything like me you might even pick up a few ideas for storing your books.

By the way, there’s no actual porn at this site…

And, here’s a little something that will add beauty and grace to your own bookshelf! Just go to Amazon.com be taken on an adventure you won’t soon forget!

NY-eBook

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About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.
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2 Responses to Books and iPads and Kindles and Nooks… and BOOKS!

  1. Sisyphus47's avatar Sisyphus47 says:

    Great post! I love books and shelves 🙂

    Like

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