Moving into the 21st Century

I will be the first to admit that I am electronically challenged.

For example, a friend of mine was talking to me about taking a Word file I had sent her, turning into a PDF and downloading to her Nook. My first thought was “Say WHAT?!” Don’t get me wrong, I know what a PDF is (sort of), but what she was telling me sounded like something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie.

Now, in my defense, I do have an iPod and a cell phone. Granted, the cell phone is one of those non-contract phones. It’s a slider, has its little qwerty keyboard so I can send text messages (mostly nagging my son about his homework or asking hubby to bring something home from the store). But don’t ask me how to take a picture, or even send a picture to someone else using that phone.

“Why don’t you get an iPhone? They are so cool! I can’t live without mine!” someone asked me once. My answer was “Why?” I mean, seriously. The only thing I use my phone for is to keep in touch with the guys and occasionally my parents. Anyone who knows me knows that it is far easier to reach me by email, Facebook or Twitter because I am always on my computer.

I suppose one of the big devices for the 21st century is the Kindle or the Nook.

The eReader.

The big threat to hardback and paperback books.

I am a voracious reader. My favorite thing to do is grab a book, sit in my favorite chair and read the afternoon away. I have been known to go through two or three books in one day if I get on a roll. To me, the Kindle/Nook revolution was just flat out evil. “I would rather hold a book in my hands than use one of those things,” I defiantly declared.

Every time I went to Amazon, the Kindle taunted me. I ignored it for months. Finally, I gave in and went to check it out. Hm, ok, this doesn’t look too bad. It would certainly save room in the car when I go on vacation. No extra book bags (notice I said bags, not bag) taking up needed space for shopping bags.

Last Christmas, while visiting my parents, we went to Barnes & Noble. As soon as we walked in, there was the Nook. We sauntered over and looked at them. I asked Mom if she would ever consider getting one. “Oh, no,” she said, “I’m old-fashioned. I’d rather hold a book in my hands.” I agreed with her.

But as the months went by, I became more and more intrigued with the Kindle. I downloaded the Kindle for Mac app and got a few books to read on the computer. This just threw fuel on the fire. I had to have a Kindle.

Last week, my son went to visit my parents. He posted a picture on Facebook of my father holding a puppy. But it wasn’t the puppy that caught my eye (although he was very cute) but the item sitting on the table by his recliner. I pointed it out to my husband. “I think that is a Nook!” One phone call confirmed it. They had BOTH bought Nooks the week before.

“What happened to holding a book in your hands?” I asked my mother.

“Well, I decided it was time to move into the 21st century,” she replied. (I should point out that my parents had cell phones two year before I did.)

I suppose she has a point. This is the 21st century and you either have to keep up with the times or get run over. Things change so fast that sometimes I wonder if I will ever catch up.

I love my books. I won’t ever give them up. On the other hand, I don’t want to get left behind.

What will you do?

Think about that for a while. I’m going to grab my Kindle and go read a book.