Bits 'n' Bobs.

[UK]: Today is National Libraries Day!

thekindlemonologues:

It’s National Libraries Day, here in the land of Sherlock Snow!. Assuming you’re not snowed in, why not head down to your local library, and go pay ‘em a visit?

Most libraries should have a page on their respective websites, outlining any and all events that they’re running today - you could always have a look there first, to see if anything catches your attention.

If not, why not see if they have an online library catalogue, that lists the books, DVDs etc, that are availible to lend, and reserve one?

Or - if you’re not a library member… What better day to join than today?

Libraries are under a lot of pressure, as most people know. Personally, I think some of them are of their own making [You don’t like the idea of eReaders, yet not only are there now two floors of computers in my local “main library”, but there are also self-service kiosks?], but putting that to one side - there’s no doubt they’re facing pressure from external influences - public apathy towards reading for pleasure; budget cuts; the perception they’re full of “fuddy duddys” and grumpy old librarians¹ which isn’t the case.

Hell, even if like me - you’re not particular enamoured with the experience / way your local branch library is still run - it’s still a worth-while course to support.

You can find more information, not only via your local council authorities library page, but on the National Libraries Day website.

¹Which as anyone who reads my personal account will know, is hardly the case [he’s soooooooooooo hot. Anyways, back on track.]

I posted this, originally via The Kindle Monologues. I’m also posting it here, on the off-chance it might reach more people. My apologies if you’re nice enough to follow both accounts.

Tonight’s Selection: “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

If that doesn’t capture my interest, I’ll read Foucault’s Pendulum.

Talk about two different types of book.

One of these Saturdays…

I shall venture out, consume copious amounts of alcohol and narcotics, dance ones tits off, and end the night engaged in some shenanigans that’d put Lindsay Lohan to shame. I believe that’s what society deems “normal” behaviour for someone my age.

Tonight, however, I shall retreat to my bed, resplendent with super fluffy duvet, and start reading a new book. To add a bit of spice - I’m not sure what book it’ll be.

Might even be one of them old physical / printed books - you just never know. Talk about excitement!

:P

Edit: And there will be biscuits. Chocolate ones, Scottish ones, even ones fit for a timelord.

Yet more waffle

sassybutclassylassie:

It scares me that books are becoming extinct.

Not just books in any form. I mean paper books.

A paper bundle you could physically pick up and instantly be attracted to. Where every thin piece of fibered paper was an experience.

Excitement and anticipation was what led you to turn the put your finger underneat, ready to jump to the next page. To read ahead and discover new words.

Sometimes the ink was splotched on the page. Sometimes someone had written a note upon the page. Underlined a word. What did that word mean to them? Who had read this book?

Sometimes a note could be found between a page…sometimes so simple. A message to pick up some milk used as a bookmark. A love note written between two middle-schoolers tucked into the pages of a reading assignment.

And here we are today in a world were books are replaced by an image of black words on a white screen. A picture represents a cover. A simulation of a page passes by on the LED.

But these are just images.

There is no meaning.

I miss the pages.

I miss the realness of the teardrops I’ve let soak through a few pages of a good book.

And for once, I don’t  think I ever thought books were so beautiful.

[Tags are OPs own.]

As a bookworm, and a fan of e-readers, thank you for tagging your post in such a way that it’s shown up under 4 seperate tags I follow.

Nothing more enjoyable on a Sunday evening than someone on tumblr pretty much insulting your choice of reading.

Ooh - and take 30 seconds to do some research? The two e-readers you listed, don’t use LEDs. With the exception of the Nook Color, which is more of a tablet, no modern e-readers use LED screens.

for all the morning, afternoon commuters reading their Kindles on the train;

pariskimwrites:

the thing about real books is that they won’t ever die on you.

end of discussion.

The thing is.. You’re full of crap.

end of discussion.

What are YOU doing on August 6th?

August 6th [in much the same way as we have Towel Day, and Fez Day] is ‘Do Nothing But Read Day’. A day when - unsurprisingly, participants are encouraged to do nothing but read.

I think I may have found out what I’ll be doing a week on Saturday.

[Do Nothing But Read Website - complete with ooh soo cute ‘I pledge to read the printed word’ nonsense.]