I have always loved books, especially hardcover books. They seem so official, distinguished, intelligent and permanent. They serve as a tangible memory of our knowledge gained and are a resource that can be generously shared with others when done. For avid readers, respect can be earned on a bookshelf without even meeting the owner of the book collection.
When the Amazon Kindle 1.0 came out, I ordered it using a special Oprah offer code for $100 off. No, I don’t watch Oprah, but at the time her $100 off code was one of my FAVORITE THINGS.
I downloaded all kinds of books to the Kindle and used it often while reading at home during those first few months.
Then I tried to use it on an airplane and was told to shut it off. With no analog distractions at my disposal, I resorted to perusing the super-impractical-yet-someone-buys-them items found in Skymall magazine.
That was the fatal flaw with my Kindle – I couldn’t read it when I was most likely to read a book: the times when I was shut off from the digital world.
The Kindle was still useful if I wanted to read books at the beach or in other ample-lighting situations, but it eventually fell out of favor for good old fashioned papyrus.
Hardcover books again became my travel companion, with 1-2 books tucked awkwardly into my computer bag each time I left home. The time between the cabin door closing and 10,000 feet became my reading time and it was glorious. Game of Thrones, Biography of Steve Jobs, the World is Flat and myriad other tomes came to life between take off and landings. This was my time to work my imagination, this was my time to block out the pressures of work or the 24-7 nature of the Internet and relax.
Last week the FAA released their ban on electronic devices below 10,000 feet. iPads, Kindles, Androids can now be used freely throughout the cabin.
Delta, my primary domestic airline was among the first to gain approval to allow these devices on their flight, prompting me to write about how great Delta is for business travelers.
With this announcement came the end of an era. The end of my primary need for words on paper.
While I still love books in their physical form and aspire to have a great library in my home, I can’t help but wonder whether I will find value in lugging multiple books around me as I traverse the country (eventually the globe when other countries also lift the ban). Is looking cool while reading a book enough reason to carry a few extra pounds?
My relationship with books forever changed this week, but will it be the end?
No, this isn’t the end of books for me. I hope it’s just the beginning.
But when am I ever going to find an opportunity so pure and serene to read them?