Discussion - I am a supporter of the digital age of reading. While I concede that there is nothing better than the feel of a real book in my hands, it is a simultaneous joy to be able to take my entire personal library everywhere I go via a simple app. I still leave space to display my favorite books in my home, but over the years, most of the books I have ever owned have been sold at yards sales for pennies on the dollar because we just ran out of room. With my Kindle, that is not an issue. Furthermore, I find it comforting to know that my children can inherit my password. My library can be handed down without my heir having to add a wing, take up all their storage or have a yard sale. With that said, Amazon has this program called Kindle Unlimited. For $9.99 a month, I can gain access to over a half a million popular titles ALL THE TIME. From Tolkien to Rowling, it all seems to be there. (AND audio books!) And so here is the question... Is the age of book ownership over? I know that if I like a book, I can still buy it, but I can only read so many books at once. And most of what Ive bought, in hard copy, Ive already sold or given away. If I have access to a library 24/4, why own anything in it? As a writer, my most important goal was always the idea that people were reading my work, not necessarily owning it. But like musicians on the radio, the authors must still be making a living via some sort of royalty system, right? I was wiling let go of paper books for environmental and convenience reasons. But am I really ready to give up ownership of something so precious? Because if I sign up, I have to wonder if I will really every buy a book again. I mean, the idea of picking up the Martin Library and putting it in my phone seems almost magical... Thoughts?
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:55:02 +0000
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