Beyond The Blue

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Happy Book Lovers Day! As a voracious reader, I’ll take any excuse to curl up in my armchair and get lost in the words of my favorite authors. Whether I’m transported to a fantastic new world outside the bounds of Earth, or taught more about the socio-political climate of the U.S. during the Civil War, I know that those hours are well spent.

Today, I can’t decide whether I’ll be reading an old favorite like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or trying out a new author, but I do know that I’ll be enjoying my choice using my Kindle Paperwhite. Ten years ago, I firmly believed that reading on a piece of tech could never be as pleasant as a real book, but I’ve now changed my mind. I’m not saying that I don’t still enjoy the smell of paper or the smooth, yet supple feel of real pages, but e-readers and other tech have distinct advantages.

One of the best benefits is convenience. Not only can I carry around hundreds of books in one small package, but I can review those books easily. On my Kindle Paperwhite, for example, I can highlight, add notes, and mark pages. Then, to find what I need, I can just pull up a list of my highlights and notes for quick reference instead of paging through an entire novel. On top of these conveniences, my local library also offers the option to rent books digitally, which has been an amazing revelation during winter storms. While this option isn’t available at all libraries, more and more seem to be offering this service, so I would suggest anyone interested check with your local librarian.

Buying a Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis aren’t the only tech option when you’re trying to enjoy a good book. Truly, tablets of any kind can be great tools for reading, and apps like Audible (among many others) can even help young readers follow along and strengthen their skills. In fact, bibliophiles around the world have been turning to tech to instill the value of reading into the next generation. With Google Play Books, iBooks (for iOS users), FBReader, and Comixology, along with dozens of other Apps, individuals can now download and enjoy great books of all formats on their tablets and smartphones. Because of all this progress, a book is never far from reach, and I think that more than compensates for any perceived loss when reading digitally.

So, fellow book lovers, today, whether you’re turning actual pages or swiping your screen, I hope you set aside time for an adventure. I'd love to hear what everyone else is reading, so feel free to share your favorite books in the comments below.