One Bibliophile’s Journey from Print to eReader
By my early 50s, my right shoulder was in chronic pain, no doubt courtesy of the oversized purse I’d been schlepping around for decades. Time to downsize, both the bag and the contents, bearing in mind that the bag had to be big enough to accommodate a book. When that didn’t provide any relief, I tried out various sizes and shapes of knapsacks, all to no avail.
Ultimately I made the drastic decision to go completely purseless. I sewed inside pockets into all of my coats and jackets, and that worked well for everything but a book. First purseless, now bookless, what was a woman to do?
Enter technology. I bought my first iPhone in 2007, closely followed by the discovery of the Goodreader app. Now I could bring an entire library with me anywhere in the world, without adding an ounce of weight to my person. From that day forth, my M.O. has been if it doesn’t fit in a pocket, it isn’t coming.
As is often the case, that solution was short-lived. With arms too short and print too tiny on such a small screen, I had to buy a pair of 1.5 reading glasses. But alternating between the readers and sunglasses got to be a hassle, so I bought a Kobo, within a few years, eBooks became available the same day as the hard copies hit the bookstores. Hallelujah!
Then, almost overnight it seemed, my distance vision got blurry. An optometrist confirmed the presence of cataracts and in a strange twist of fate, my far and nearsightedness were cancelling each other out, such that I could read even the teeniest print without glasses. I quickly ditched the Kobo in favour of ereader apps on my phone: Kobo, Kindle, Nook, you name it, I got ‘em all.
Perhaps most ironically, I am probably the oldest Brookie and the only one who prefers digital media. All the young ‘uns say they still enjoy feeling the heft of a book in their hands, the feel and sound of the pages riffling by. Some say they like the smell. To which I reply whatever floats your boat; my right shoulder couldn’t be more grateful.
Looking for something new to read? Head over to our Brookstore to see what’s available!
Laura Vincent recently settled into retirement, doing a bit of writing, a lot of service and smelling the roses along the way. A plan is afoot to explore Europe on a Eurail Pass – one last great hurrah so to speak.
Favourite book: The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
Favourite brunch spot: Rocco Restaurant & Bar
