Sometimes there are patterns to the things you notice. For me recently, I have seen movies and read articles about the art of reading. The latest edition of The New Yorker has an article about Kindle 2 and its deficiencies in creating a a true reader's milieu. It's depicted Kindle as convenient, but dreary and second rate at best for true reading enjoyment.
Last evening I worked with my friends, S and Dr. M, who is a pediatrician from our smaller health center. I know him many years as well and have seen his life go through a couple of incarnations. He is not a particularly warm person but he is approachable, accomplished, and very humane. S's husband's illness has made all of us sad for her. It's like most everyone has let down their personal guard and their fears to sit vigil with her. I would like to surmise that this kindly empathy is a reflection of age and maturity, but in fact, there are some young women who are hanging in with S and helping her to feel cared about at work. I am working with S on some Wednesdays to basically lighten her load. As long as things don't get overwhelmingly busy, I see the bulk of the patients while S is able to catch up on some administrative work, and also to check up on her husband's care. Last night, when S left a little bit early, she gave me her customary huge hug. Then she turned around and gave Dr. M one. He returned her hug and good wishes with the utmost warmth.
When we were done for the evening, and I was straightening the office out a bit, Dr. M pulled a book out his bag and said , "I just want to finish this chapter. It can't wait until I get home."
So I had the pleasure of watching him as he read. It was similar to watching an elementary school child read. He had a half smile and moved ever so slightly when he reacted to something on the page. Dr. M ignored my coming and going in and out of the room. Finally I said, " R (first name) I'm leaving." He sighed and said, "I'll leave with you. I'll finish reading this at home. This book is so wonderful." "What are you reading?" I asked.
"Cutting for Stone" by Dr. Abraham Verghese. Have you heard of him?"
Dr. M gave me the synopsis of the books written by this physician. When you hear a true reader describe books that he or she has read, it's different in quality than those of someone who reads to impress others. In turn, I told him about what I was currently reading, and expected that he would never have heard of it. He cited the book and the author's name and told me why he enjoyed the author's books as well. The conversation continued as we rode down in the elevator. When I got out before him, I just turned around and stared at Dr. M. He is a kindred spirit.
Hah! We just selected Cutting for Stone as our next Book Club selection. I can't wait to pick up my copy - going to try to get it on my way home from work this afternoon.
As for the Kindle - I've asked for one for my birthday to use primarily on my travels, so I don't have to obsess over how many books I can carry, how many I think I'll read, and what I think I'm going to want to read next. With the Kindle I can load up as many books as I want without regard for weight or bulk.
I'm a big proponent of getting my books read in whatever way is best at the time. I often have an audio book going during my commute and my walks, and a physical book on my bedside table. I will say, however, that if the audio book is good enough, I will often buy a copy or peruse it in the bookstore because I still love to see what the words look like on the page. And I will ALWAYS love physical books!!
I recently finished 2 books I'd highly recommend: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery, and City of Thieves, by David Benioff.
--L
You seem to be quite the reader yourself! Having a Kindle for traveling is a great idea. You should read the article in The New Yorker if you can before your purchase because the author thinks that the iPod Touch or the iPhone has good technology as well and they light up in the dark unlike the Kindle. After reading the article, I realized that the inventor of the Vizplex screen is the son of someone who we know here in Newton. Keep the recommendations coming. Word of mouth remains the best way of selling books.