Whether or not there's conclusive evidence about the dangers of electromagnetic frequencies, it doesn't matter to me. A book will lie beside me before my phone will. I'm an old woman, but I'm not old-fashioned. I just love books.
My passion for books began a very long time ago when I was learning to read. My oldest brother thought it cool to become interested in conspiracies, philosophy and anarchy--at a time when a sixteen year boy old should be running with a football.
I found it in a shadowy hallway. Just a little bit of sunshine was filtering through the south facing stained-glass window. But my eyes were sharp and thirsty for splendid things back then, and the dark-colored book caught my eyes.
I was a child. What did I know. I spent a long time just looking at the pictures until I read the words Animal Magnetism. I had no clue. The pictures were more interesting -- a freaky man with his eyes bulging out--his hands raised over a sitting man whose eyes were closed and wires running through his hair.
Just then I spotted my cat Buzzwax staring at me from the stairs.
I quickly shut the book and ran from the hall, but not before I spotted the name Mesmer on the front of the book.
Now, people always comment on my personal reference library. But many are also drawn to books, tilting the head just a little to read the spine.
The title Hills Manual of Social Business Forms sounds as a interesting as a chamber pot. But it was the only family heirloom book I kept. The manual is filled with out of date statistics and forgotten courtesies, but I still love to reference it. The artwork is 2-dimensional but outstanding. The older book on Mesmer's hypnotism was lost or stolen many decades ago, but if I squint my eyes a little, the two books are similar in size and color (and smell).
Other books in my reference library are varied--ranging in depth and breadth from authors Graham Hancock, (Fr.) Malachi Martin, Sun Tzu to Edgar Cayce and Zecharia Sitchin. Unarranged titles include subjects of dowsing and pendulums, reincarnation, conspiracy, mystery codes and ancient scripture, and out-of-body-experiences.
So, do I own a tablet? Of course, I love to search any subject quickly. But it will never take the place of my books. The musty smell of an old book, and the feel of the rough edges will never leave my heart. Synthetic modern digital art will never make my mind wander with perplexing delight. Some of my best dreams are about old houses hiding mystery libraries.
So, here's hoping digital e-books never win the argument. Children should know the experience of snuggling up to a good book... whether they understand it or not.
