Digital doesn't wear out

[smarriveurr]

It was with palpable pain that I noticed that my copy of the third Riverworld novel was splitting along a bend in the spine. I put it down that night, and even though I was a couple chapters in, I haven't picked it up since. In part, this is just because, as mentioned earlier, I am ludicrously kind to books, and for some reason anal-retentive about

Comments

[lietya]

I'm sorry to hear of the fate of your poor book. I also hate when that happens. Can you buy a replacement copy and *not* dispose of the original? :) Pop it back into its place on the shelf and keep it as an heirloom/collectible while reading the other... Then you keep the passed-down original and you have a matched set on the shelves

[smarriveurr]

I suppose it's theoretically possible. The book is already more or less split in half, though, so I'd have to tape up the spine even to let it sit safely on the shelf... the question is where I'd keep the "reading copy." If I put it on the shelf, next to the originals, there's a decent chance it'll still bug me, if I don't, I have to remember where I kept it.

(I'm terrible when it comes to letting books go. I have books that I haven't read in years, know I won't ever read again, but just can't part with, even beyond the books I really *care about*.)

Even with CDs, though, you get scratches and loss (well, up until relatively recently, when you could personally rip and burn a new CD). Anything that lives "in the cloud" is totally immune to danger. There's a lot to be said for the tactile experience of reading a book, and the memories you associate to the sensations - with my approach, though, the Kindle/Nook might almost be worth it for the "you'll never have to repair this with packing tape" angle, and the fact that if there are no

[lietya]

Oh, that is a shame. Poor book. You are also clearly a bit more organized than I am - my books always start out in perfect order, and then later additions get piled on/near the shelf and whatnot

[firynze]

That's my issue with the devices to read on at present, too. The access-tech just isn't to the point where I can justify the e-book prices, even if they're theoretically indestructible content.

[firynze]

...that's the solution I'd use, too, though. A readin' copy and a keepin' copy.

[lietya]

I'm glad it's not just me. :)