In just six words Stephen King has managed to capture exactly what a book is, which is why it's my favourite King quote. When we open a book to read, we're transported to another world. We're given a portal into someone else's life, realm, or world. Even if the book you read is non-fiction, you're still being given a glimpse of a life you don't intimately know.
A book is also something you can take almost anywhere. It's light and easy to transport. With the arrival of eBook readers, it's now possible to take dozens of books with you on a device that weighs less than a paperback novel.
Think about that for a moment. A few years ago your reading choices were constrained by what was available in your local book stores or online book sellers. You also had to consider where to put each new book you purchased. If I had kept every book I bought and read, there would be no room for anything else. Now I can still buy printed books from my favourite authors and have hundreds on my eBook reader. Our reading choices have and will continue to grow. Whatever the technological age brings next, I believe there will always be room for such a uniquely portable form of magic.
What do you think? What is your favourite King quote?
Can't think of any King quotes right now... but I know he has lots of good ones!
ReplyDeleteI really do think ebooks have been a boon from the point of view of the reader. From the space perspective, and also in terms of reader choice. With self publishing, it's not just what the big publishers put out there any more, and blogging etc allows more under the radar writers to be discovered.
I love that quote and it's so true. You mentioned non-fiction also transporting a reader, which I think is often overlooked. Tudor-area history fascinates me and seems like an alien world!
ReplyDeleteEreaders have saved my eyes, my thumbs, my wall space, and my pocketbook. :)
Good quote. I like his quote about keeping the heart of a small boy on his desk (in answer to people asking why he writes this gross stuff).
ReplyDeleteNick - I agree with everything you've said. I think it's a wonderful time to be a reader.
ReplyDeleteRiver - I don't read many non-fiction books, but I find them just as fascinating.
Catherine - I'd forgotten about that quote!
Ebooks really open everything up. I've always loved reading because of the magic. I've become who I am because of books... all kinds.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fantastic quote. I grew up in a small town with an equally small library. I love having the whole world of books open to me and so easily downloaded to my e-reader.
ReplyDeleteHere's another quote from him I like: “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.”
What a great quote!
ReplyDeleteI used to get most of my books from the library when I was growing up. Now I have a job, I purchase most of them and still have managed to have hundreds of books in print and ebook formats. I don't know how that happened. LOL!
My favorite Stephen King quote is the one about the tools of writing being reading a lot and writing a lot.
I used this as an epigram some years ago, can't relocate it, but as I remember, this is from "Under the Dome":
ReplyDelete"She was dead, and still giving advice."
Mary - ditto.
ReplyDeleteChristine - Another great King quote!
Cherie - books are addictive ;)
Mallory - I like that!
I love my Kindle, it fits nicely in my bag so whenever I have a spare 10 minutes waiting for something I can get some reading in.
ReplyDeleteI still like proper books though, and I have my absolute favourites on the book shelf.
Love that image of books! Portable magic - of course! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeleteI used to dislike reading as a kid, because I was made to read what the teachers wanted us to read. Now I read what I want, and I love it. I missed out on a lot of enjoyment over the years!
I love e-books for that very reason. One of the things that pushed me to get my Kindle was a lack of shelf space--not at the stores, at my home! LOL
*nods* That's exactly what books are. So glad they exist :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the quote and I am one who still loves the old fashioned book. I do agree that, when travelling and for reading fiction a can understand bringing an e-book. I still love my books and need another bookcase:) Oh I mentioned you in my blog about the A to Z-Hope you do not mind, I made a card and some of you were an inspiration
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