Turning Pages, Then and Now

I think you guys can tell by the amount that I read each month that I love a good book. They help me to explore new worlds and people and expand my imagination and creativity. However, I never really discussed my reading preferences before.

My preferences didn’t start to form until I started the fourth grade. I had several places that I would like to read: Barnes & Noble, Borders, and the local library. I liked the bookstores because they had communal tables you could sit and read while enjoying a beverage and a sweet treat. I was partial to the Reese’s chocolate and peanut butter cookies that Barnes & Noble had. I liked the library because it was bigger than the bookstores. The one near me had several levels. I also liked that you could check out books without purchasing them and that they had a used books section where all the books cost less than $1. These places gave me choices. I could purchase books I definitely wanted and check out books that I was hesitant about. 

As for the book formatting, I loved paperbacks the most. They were the easiest to hold and not that heavy. I also loved the feel of them and how you can mark pages by using an accessory like a bookmark. I enjoyed reading at night, so I had a clip-on light that I could attach to the book and keep reading into the night. However, carrying around books got harder as my illness progressed.

When I was in the hospital last year for several months due to my disability decline, reading a physical book became a challenge. It was hard to use my hands to keep the book open for a long period of time. Also, I had the tendency to lean when I read, which had started to hurt my back extremely at that point. 

At the start of this year, I decided to switch to e-books. It worked the best for me because I could read on my laptop and manipulate the device in a way so that my hands are mostly free while reading. Don’t get me wrong, I miss having the physical feel for books, but e-books are so much easier and more convenient for me. 

Since I am homebound for the foreseeable future, I miss out on the joys of visiting my local libraries. It is sad because I am missing out on the communal aspect that bookstores and libraries give. Also, e-books cost money. Or so I thought. I came across two different things that gave me that library feel of checking out books for free. One is an app called Libby. As long as you have your library card and PIN, you can check out e-books and audiobooks from there. You can also have multiple library cards on there (I have three local ones and one from out of state). 

I tend to read books on the Libby website: libbyapp.com. The website design is easy to use. Searching for books is a breeze. Plus, it organizes the books you checked out from different libraries and keeps an up-to-date time of when the books are due back and the option to renew if you aren’t finished with the book. 

Another thing I found is a library extension that you can use on your chosen browser: https://www.libraryextension.com/. Once downloaded, you would search for the libraries you have cards for. Once you have the libraries added, you can go to sites like Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Barnes & Noble, search for the book you want, and a little pop-up box shows up next to the book showing the available options at your library (physical, e-book, and audiobook formats). I find both the extension and Libby thrifty because it helps me save money on books, especially the ones I am skeptical about. 

What happens when I have my e-book ready? I have a simple setup. I lie in my medical bed surrounded by pillows. I have a medical adjustable overbed bedside table that I place my computer on for easy viewing of the e-book. I usually just have a drink while reading with white noise in the background. It helps keep me calm, centered, and focused. 

Reading varies for everyone. I had to learn over the years to adapt how I want to read novels. I do miss how I used to read books. However, no matter how much I decline, nothing will ever stop me from pursuing my love for a new book to read.