Last week, these were the books in my reading queue: The Martian by Andy Weir and Two Years Eight Months and Twenty Eight Days by Salman Rushdie. Both were for book clubs, one that I lead and one in which I’m a participant. And both were borrowed through my local library’s e-lending program.
I love being able to borrow e-books from my library. For one thing, I’ve noticed the holding time tends to be shorter than with paper editions. But the best part is not having to worry about incurring late fees. Sad, but true: I seem to have a problem returning books on time. I’m usually so sorry to be parted from them that even though I put them in a prominent spot by the front door so as to get them home on time, somehow, they always end up being returned late. By me. This isn’t a problem with e-lending because, on their “return by” date, they simply disappear, discretely. Whoosh! And they’re home. It’s lovely.
Oh, I still feel their absence. It’s a bummer not to be able to hug them or touch their spines on my bookshelf. But I’m cheered thinking about how the next readers waiting for the books don’t have to bide their time because SOMEBODY (ahem, me) didn’t return them on time. And then there’s also the happy sight to look forward to of new books in my e-library, waiting to be read. At least until they’re whisked away on their due dates.
New in my e-library: Mary Louise Parker’s memoir-in-letters Dear Mr. You. Have you read it? What did you think?
Hmmm…I hadn’t thought about that aspect of borrowing e-books. It sounds magical in a way – I bet if there are public libraries in Harry Potter’s wizarding world, even real books must just disappear when they’re due back! I’m glad there won’t be more late fees in your future. As for the memoir, I haven’t read it, but like just about everything you talk about reading, you’ve got me intrigued.
I have to say that I do not especially enjoy reading on a tablet. I don’t like the glare on the screen, in particular, and the blue light does tire my eyes. However I do love borrowing e-books. I just wish I could borrow them on my e-ink reader, with which I’ve developed a sort of intense obsession. When I was going through eye issues, it was the only way I could read (by enlarging the font and turning on the screen light). It’s like we’ve been through something together. My e-reader had me covered during difficult days. We’re bonded for life, my e-reader and I. 😉