One thing I can’t ever see eBooks replacing is the architectural and fetishistic role printed books play in our lives. There is palpable difference to the feeling and nuance of reading a book in a room lined with books, each spine a visual clue to the infinity of thought that lies within its covers. A personal library is a physical representation of your spiritual and intellectual self, a personal church to reflect and be inspired in. A file list in a menu does not do this.
Perhaps this role of digital books is to be the Netflix of publishing. Try before you own. A quote from this Wired article suggests, “I’d rather be a renter in Borges’ library than the owner of my own.” http://bit.ly/arSiGx
I would amend it to, “I’d would like to be a renter in Borges’ library and then build my own.”
Photo: Gabriel García Márquez in the library of his home in Mexico
