The Physical Presence of Books

Dear Mr. Klinkenborg

I just read your August 10th article on books vs ebooks. I have a Kindle. I bought it for travel but use it often at home. Still,  I have thought a lot about the difference between ebooks and regular paper back or hard cover books because I love books. It is, I tell myself, at least a healthier obsession. So, I think about books, admire book covers, titles, love reading the first page, promise myself reading to get through a difficult part of my day.

Have you ever been to the first Chicago Public Library building, now called the Chicago Cultural Center? If not, I strongly suggest a tour, either self propelled or with a guide. The Chicago Public Library was built in 1897 to impress the world. It was created as a monument to books. The walls and ceiling carry words encouraging people to read in a time when reading and owning books was a privilege. Rich people read, rich people owned books. This library encouraged everyone to read. All libraries do.

The impressive part of the library begins at the front door. White marble steps. The library has two stained glass domes and fantastical tiled ceilings. The large windows, glass domed rooms, tiled ceilings lead the eye upward, encouraging a spiritual feeling. I imagine people going there and feeling good just walking up the steps. Anticipating time spent reading in a really beautiful place would make me feel good.

A library full of books, especially older libraries engenders a familiar combination of feelings. Walking up the steps, I am aware of how much knowledge is inside. There is so much I don't know. I don't get that feeling scrolling through google answers.

I need the physical presence of books to be humbled, as I should be, by what I don't know. Then, I begin to get curious about what I might find myself reading because a library, for me, is for wandering up and down the stacks. I don't know what I am looking for. Or I do but I am easily distracted by an interesting title or subject. This sort of creative mindlessness is necessary for all of us. Wandering encourages curiosity. Curiosity is one indicator of mental and emotional health.

Books have always been for comfort, providing advice, encouragement and perspective. Books have taught me how other people live and how I could live better. Finally, I feel awe and respect because as a writer, I know something about the work of one book. How many people spent parts of their lives writing these words from How to fix a car to traveling in the jungle to the story of their life or someone else's life? The Chicago Cultural Center, a place currently without books, still reminded me of the power, the work, the beauty of words and the difficulty of putting all three together millions of times to produce one book.

 It's the difference between seeing Michelangelo's David in a picture and standing physically in front of David. The picture is seen in your home, glanced at usually, not studied. Okay, maybe you study the picture noting how muscles flow, the marble seems alive. Try walking into the Academy, hearing the buzz of tourists whispering, walking down the echoing marble gallery and seeing David....I literally stopped. I had to slowly take in the whole of David. The perfect carving, the muscles, bones and stance; the amazing power in a statue. A statue made from a piece of discarded scrap marble. Seeing David encourages and inspires me.

Books have a presence, too. The physicality of books is important. When I read a book, after I finish it, I like to hold it after I close the cover on the ending. I like to think about what I like, what I remember, what I have learned. The process of closing a book on my kindle doesn't encourage such thought. It's done, I think. Onto the next thing.

Physically, having books around me is like always having access to comfort, to friends, to something I want to remember but won't unless I happen to glance by the book on the shelf. As you said, you have read over 800 books on your ipad but sometimes you don't remember what you have read. Storing 800 books would be very difficult. I hold onto books that mean something to me. Some books have changed my life for the better. I hold onto them, like a friend. Eventually, I forget where the change comes from. Going back to the beginning by seeing the title, opening the book and remembering the beginning of my decision to write poetry or buy a camera helps me stay on course. The physical reminder helps me.

Recently,  the Minneapolis Star Tribune published a piece on how the paper encourages open minds. People often read what they already know, or want to confirm they know. They read not to open their mind but to reinforce their perceptions; a way to feel safer, I suppose. I know I do it. The newspaper, carrying a variety of articles encourages people to try out different ways of thinking and learn about different ways of living.

Being around books, in libraries or bookstores, I believe, encourage people to think. I submit my kindle with its access to millions of books online doesn't have the same power.  It is sad that all I can do is open myself up to the possibility of new knowledge most of time, rather than seek it out for myself. I'm thankful for libraries, newspapers and books to help me. The world is an immense place. I'll continue to use my kindle. But, I'm grateful for the physical presence of books.