Although according to Viva.co.id Indonesia ranks 60th out of 61 countries in the world, I don't think it's bad.
Evidently, since the coovid pandemic hit and people were trapped in a wave of social limitations, people have become more diligent in reading. After the pandemic subsided, many platforms for channeling writing were born massively.
Unfortunately, what really concerns me about this condition is, why do people still tend to read pirated books? You know how I feel, very upset!
I've had a reading habit since I was a kid, and then, in 2009, a memoir writer, Astuti J. Syahban, introduced me to an online writing community that has had a tremendous impact on me until now. From the activities that I participated in while being a member of the community, I was greatly helped to develop my love for the world of literacy, those who were senior helped me understand the world of literacy with a very wise perspective. How could I not? From the community, we were taught to respect the work of writers by not reading or buying pirated books in any form!
It's like an unwritten stern warning. Good readers, don't read pirated books no matter how much you want a book. I remember one day there was a trend on a chat app. So, my friends (who are not from the writing community) were sharing a PDF of a particular writing and claiming it to be free. I was very curious how an e-book of a book could be free? Does someone really buy legal e-books in bulk and then share them? After I cross checked ... it turned out to be an ILLEGAL PDF! OMG!
Honestly, at first I was very happy because my circleku who didn't read at first, became happy to read. But, who would have thought that it was illegal. I was so angry. How could someone have the heart to take away the intellectual property rights that I fought so hard for? You know, right, the process of an idea's birth is not as easy as blinking an eye? The writer may have to read dozens of books first as a reference for his future book, or some writers go directly to a certain area to build a setting to make it more alive. I remember Dee Lestari who cross checked directly to the mountains of garbage in Bantar Gebang to create a very lively setting in the script of the novel Aroma Karsa. It is clear that for just one work to be born, the efforts of the writers are not playing games. And irresponsible people easily download illegal PDFs.
But being angry won't make the situation change, right? Finally, little by little, I began to indirectly educate my friends about how to get books for free and legally.
- Borrowing on Legal Apps
One of them is borrowing e-books on applications that are guaranteed legal, for example; iPusnas. I really looked into whether this app was really legal. When I checked, I found that iPusnas is also directly supported by the National Library and regional libraries. It's easy to register, easy to borrow, and free.
- Borrow a Friend
If what you're looking for doesn't exist, maybe another alternative is to borrow a friend or acquaintance, with a note to take good care of the books you borrow. Because keeping the borrowed book is your responsibility as the borrower during the borrowing period.
what thhe rest? Nothing. Sometimes, I also give a direct example that buying a book doesn't have to be new from the store. Buying a second, original book is also good. That includes helping the decluttering process for someone who adheres to minimalist living.
some second hand books that i bought
Finally, I was relieved after channeling my frustration. I know, until now there are still many people who read illegal books or PDFs. Because one of my writings may not be able to reach all of them, but at least I have written how to be wise as a book reader. Let's be critical, let's think positively, let's respect our fellow creative warriors!
Thank you for reading. Respect.
Hi, I am the child of the universe, I like to read books with various genres. I was born in the city of batik but can't draw batik yet. I want to be a novelist, but my works are only short poems that are included in anthology books.
please share my content if you feel my content is good for everyone to read. Thank you. Let's be friends!