I miss the feel of a book.

I just finished reading The Killing Joke for the second time last night. The first time was a pdf digital copy I had downloaded to my iPad from some weird guy’s server. It was free, so I wasn’t complaining. It was colorful, maddening, well executed, and well written. For such a short book, it packed so much into each panel, each page.

Last night, I was able to read the analog version as I like to call it. I so rarely read actual physical books anymore. Japanese apartments aren’t really made for lots of bookshelves so I have curtailed my book buying to mainly digital. I mean I can’t really rebuild my library for third time, can I? How many copies of Robert Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land do I need to own?

When I moved from Hawaii, I left my poor library in boxes. I have no idea how my books are doing. Not well I suppose. It’s been almost twenty years. When I moved from Boise to Las Vegas, I luckily didn’t need to rebuild my library but grad school sure increased it. I sadly couldn’t bring that library with me to Japan, so it sits in a storage unit that has no air conditioner. I think those books are okay but it’s been almost nine years, and I worry.

Now, I literally have the largest library I have ever owned and it’s all on my iPad and computer. And not only do I have a digital copy of Stranger (I know I guess I lied to myself – you can never have too many copies of one of your favorite books), but I also use online services to read Marvel comics, free kindle books from Amazon Prime, Baen free books, etc. So there is a wealth of books for me to enjoy.

…but reading that comic last night…that just made me remember how much I miss touching, smelling, seeing, reading an actual book. And this particular book was well worn, well read, loved. It wasn’t in mint condition. It had been brought back, I assume with the rest of this friend’s library, from the UK.

And I appreciated it. Appreciate it. It’s good to be reminded of why putting down my electronic device and picking up a book is good for the soul and for my art and my writing. I have a few more books to read from his library: V For Vendetta and Daredevil. Both just as worn, just as read. I look forward to the experience.