Post 2: What is a book?

A book is a strong wind full of life that brings emotion and other various elements affecting you in some sort of way. A believe a book is merely elements of thought and emotion put into words, and is not characterized by the actual presence of it. I'm not saying that I prefer Kindles or iPads, but I do think they are the same as the hard copy edition. I agree with Joe Meno on how he describes that these electronic devices are just variations of a need we have as a civilization to use our imagination. A piece of writing should not be defined by the way it's presented, but by what it speaks. Now, I will agree with Nancy Jo Sales on the statement of the physicality of a book, and how there is a certain smell. I have read many books that I can physically hold, and I can tell you that there is a smell there that you do not get with the electronic version. Though, electronic versions have benefits over paper versions, making them equal in my mind. For some, the experience of going out and buying the book may factor into the affect the book has on that person, but for me, going out to get the book will have the same effect as pushing a button to download it on my phone.

I won't lie, the past 3 books that I've chosen to read without getting it from my classroom have all been on my phone and downloaded from iBook’s. If I had to choose a side, I would most likely chose the electronic versions because I feel that they actually encourage me to read more, especially since they're on my phone. Since I always have my phone on me, whenever I am done with something I can simply take out my phone and pick up where I left off. I cannot get the same effect with an actual paper book because I do not always have that with me, which causes my mind to forget about it. Another little thing I like about the electronic books is that you can read it in any kind of light without having to worry. Is the sun too bright? All you need to do is adjust your brightness level. Is it completely dark out? That's no problem because your screen provides light. I know that many people may be against me on this, but that's alright. I am not a huge reader or book-lover, but whenever I get the chance I do like to read stories. I’m not saying here that the physicality determines a book, I am just merely stating that if I had to choose which I like more, it would be the electronic books.

Overall, I feel a book is a piece of writing full of emotion and other various elements, such as thought, that affect us in some sort of way. I like the way Victor LaValle writes about with topic, using sarcasm to display how he feels. In his thoughts he says,” Some man or woman spent weeks or months or years or a lifetime bleeding on the page!” While some may take that line seriously, Victor’s actual intent is to be funny in order to represent his thoughts, which is that it’s not the book that makes them so dear, but the idea of the book. While we all may have different approaches on what a book is, we can all agree that books bring life to the world.