Ebook or not Ebook: Is That the Question?

Okay, I get it - you love books, I love books, we all love books. We wouldn't be here in a macro and micro sense if we didn't. They contain the knowledge of., or escape from, reality. They can affirm, they can contradict, they can challenge, they can teach; they take us through a myriad of emotions, each greater than the last because they are the most recent, and thus the most affecting of our lives, until the next. And who doesn't picture that special moment or two when we are able to find that comfy chair, that favorite snack and beverage and that sweet, blessed escape where nothing matters, yet everything is alive in our own little worlds, swirling, twirling until we are "full" at least for that moment in time. We can picture it, but what does our companion look like? Is it a tome of paper to be savored as each page turns, or a mystical device that allows us to peruse the novel in electronic form? We've heard the arguments for and against each, but I posit that perhaps we are missing the premise of the debate? Instead of commanding the benefits of our choice and condemning the costs of the other method, should we celebrate the most important point? With either method, whether by paper or ebook, we are READING? Is that the essence of learning, of gathering, of disseminating, of life. We have the means, by any mean necessary to gain in our station over our previous position in the matter of minutes, hours, days, weeks and even months. Picture the pleasure of the process, without critiquing the tool, because it's the practice which make us perfect, at least in our eyes. Personally, there are moments when I prefer to open the book for the first time, after the requisite sniffing, the breathing in of the soul of the author which will never die because we keep their most precious words to the world in our heart, as Carlos Ruiz Zafon's reminds us in Shadow of the Wind. There are other times, that the convenience, the logistics, even the weight, make an electronic device as simplistic as our phone, or other device, allow us to catch a glimpse of our "reality" while waiting in line, in an office, or other setting, where we feel we are "bookless" at the most inopportune time. So here's to you and you and you - whether I can see the cover of your book or not, depending on your preference - here's an idea, why don't we introduce ourselves, and share those special snippets together of that special passage that means so much to us - I promise the next question will not be, "did you read that in a regular book or an ebook?" Because we will both have that knowing look, that knowledgeable look, because we read! Read on.....

Doctor: But Not the Kind Who Helps Anyone!

I never planned this. Actually, I never planned this but worked towards this my entire life. My passion is books with varying degrees of success over my lifetime. As I respected the purpose of books, to learn, to teach, to entertain, to improve, to love, to live, I started on a journey, without even knowing I took the first step. Education was required in a setting more suited to one size fits all without the opportunity to be creative, to individually learn our strengths and weaknesses. We didn't have specialists, or coteachers, or parapros, or psychologists, or advocates or even individual plans to determine if we, as individuals were on the right track, as long as a collective that we were on the only track. Considering the next step that wasn't required, college or vocational school, or the military, or co-ops, or anything beyond high school, usually meant getting a job. But that is about the time that I, and many others, thought we could better are chances by spending more time in the classroom. I understood that the courses led to programs, led to graduation, led to a better job more suited to us individually, but I also knew personally, that it meant more time with books. For me, reading was as basic and important as breathing, or moving, or eating, or surviving. While these books were required, what we gained from them was exponential, depending on what we put into them and what we got out of them. I wanted to learn everything, and the books were a tool to help me on a path towards a degree; its knowledge critical towards finding my vocation in life. So one degree, led to another, and another. When I wanted to learn another subject, I'd take a class and then take all of them. Currently, I'm holding steady at thirteen degrees including three doctorates. But for everything I gained on these pursuits, I couldn't myself, I couldn't remove what made me, me! I kept the same passion in helping others as I was helped, with the same "strange" interests, and personality, and view of giving back, to become one with a better community, while keeping all that allowed me to be complete. While the drive is always there, I've learned to adjust to reality, while keeping my humor and honor, knowing the most important things in my life aren't always found in a book, nor with knowledge, realizing that while I see a task that may need doing, I understand that I may not be the best candidate to do it. My family, as my support, have always kept me grounded. My mom says it best (and perhaps this helps in understanding where I get my strange sense of humor from) when at a gathering, she introduced me as, "this is my son, the doctor, but not the kind who helps other people!" Now I know I could take that many ways, but it always makes me laugh when I think about it. The important thing is, do you know what you are doing, and having a little humor along the way doesn't hurt!

Collecting: A Way of Life

I don't think it hits you until you notice a small innocuous pile of items. A collection of toys, of albums, of bubble gum wrappers, of Cracker Jack prizes, and of course, books. You purchase an item and use it for its intended purpose. But every now and then, you feel something, realize something, attach to something, and your emotions rationalize the need to hang on to it. It gives you a certain satisfaction, completion, even the sense of connectivity. In science, and in life, this feeling of "one-ness" was described by E. O. Wilson as Consilience - the premise that everything is connected to everything else. Neuroeconimists describe how certain brain activity occurs when you spend actual money, but little or no activity occurs when you use a credit card - but the activity increases again, if you trade something of value even if it's only to you - and again thus occurs when you purchase something of value, again even if it's only to you. So it comes as no surprise that we collect, whether intentionally or not, things that we value. As a child, I love the comic strips I'd find in bubble gum wrappers so I'd only buy Bazooka Joe; when I had the choice for cereal, I'd always grab the one with the free prize inside; we'd pick up the pack of baseball cards, chewing the stick of gum while attaching the cards we didn't trade to our bike spokes; we'd pick up the latest adventures of Archie and Jughead, Li'l Dewy, Disney, and Superhero comics for 10 cents at our favorite corner drug store while enjoying a shake and a look or two from the owner as we had comics all over the floor to pick our favorites after reading the others; and when we would pick up some fast food, we'd go to Burger Chef, or Burger King, or especially McDonalds because of the cool, at least to us, toys in the kids meals. Today many of those toys are worth hundreds, even thousands, with similar increases in value of the other pastimes, which mean many have continued this collecting habit through their lifetimes. Book collecting happened inconspicuously enough. I enjoyed reading, and if I liked a certain title or series, I would find similar items. After awhile, I had them stacked on the dresser in my room. Next they took up a drawer, then two, then were lined up on the dresser, then on an added shelf. As I grew, my passion followed. When I went to college, there didn't seem to be any time to read for pleasure, but I found myself collecting textbooks, and ancillary books in my fields. With each move, another shelf was added. In two of my destinations, as I continued adding degrees (a collection of its own, now holding steady at 13 degrees), I added shelves - the easiest was using 2x8s and cement blocks, first one, then two,....then eight! I moved many times in pursuit of my dreams and our current home had the stipulation that one room would be a library. It allowed my passion for collecting to be housed in one room - perfect for reading, but also as a teacher, a great place to set up lesson plans and grade papers. My collection is currently at 7500 books (hardcover, paperback, and ebook) and growing. It has become my sanctuary, my fortress, and sometimes even my solitude. I echo Alberto Manguel's view described in Library at Night, I may not read them all, but knowing they are there, brings me great comfort because they are who I am. I don't think they will ever become Carlos Ruiz Zafon's "Cemetary of Forgotten Books (from Shadow of the Wind), as I browse, reflect and collect daily. E.O. Wilson would be proud, as I've taken the concept of Consilience to heart - my collection has allowed me to feel that my books make me, and I complete my books!

Baseball and Books:My Connections to the Past

They say there's nothing more American than baseball, hotdogs, and apple pie - throw in books, and I'm all set. On this opening day of 2017, with my favorite National League team, the World Series Champions, Chicago Cubs (who ever thought we'd be saying that?) playing today, it's appropriate for the B challenge to be about baseball and books and how their connection has inspired me through my lifetime. Growing up, I've always had an affinity to completion and collegiality. I loved getting together with friends, play a little baseball, and hopefully beat them before they had a chance to beat us. There was a ballpark in Oak Hill, which was a magnet for all the neighborhood kids to gather, to joke, have fun, and most importantly play baseball. And no matter what the result, we'd be back together the next day. In school, whenever they had a writing assignment, I'd always to work in my love for baseball. I'd go to the library, and gather books and articles about my favorite players. Two at the top of the list were Hank Greenberg (because he played first base like me) and Ty Cobb (because he was the most competitive player I had ever read about, and that inspired me) - that both were Detroit Tigers, being my favorite American League team, had a lot to do with it! During the summer when I was outside doing chores, I always had the radio on, or the TV inside, listening to George Kell and Ernie Harwell give the play by play. Late night west coast games were the times when I had my little transistor radio on under the blankets, enjoying the exploits of Al Kaline, Norm Cash, and John Wockenfuss (that name used to drive my mom crazy, as she'd always say, "Is Wockenfuss always at bat?" Of course this became a gateway to reading as I learned everything about the players through the papers while checking the line scores, and their bios when they came out - Greenberg's and Cobb's are still two of my favorite bio reads in any genre. I learned about the intricacies of the stats after reading Bill James Abstracts which I bought every year without fail. I'd join rotisserie/fantasy leagues and pick my favorite players so I felt even more involved in my fandom. Of course, I played ball, moving up through the ranks and leagues: little league, bronco league, pony league, and American Legion ball. I played in high school, slo-pitch and fast-pitch softball, church league and even had a short stint in college until I blew out my knee, knowing I'd have to continue my passion for the sport off the field. Today, I still watch, and listen and read everything about my favorite teams. I've been to many games featuring the Tigers, the Cubs (who ignited my passion when the cable channel WGN was first available), and the Braves (where my interest increased when the cable channel WTBS arrived). We've seen games where there were virtually no one there as my favorites were dwelling in last place, and other times, when the parks were packed in the middle of pennant races. So I'd arrive each time with my wife (and later my son, and then his wife, and soon, my grandsons), whether regular season or Spring Training, buy a program, grab a pencil, pick up a hotdog and cold beverage, and let the experience wash over me, bringing back all of those childhood memories from so long ago, yet in an instant, along side of me. And then after the season, I'd buy the book which recapped the season, or decade or player, or even history of the team, and relive it all over again. So the next time you go to a game, look for me. I'm saving you a seat. Play ball!!!

Anatomy of an Obsession

I was never read to as a child. I know when people talk about their passion for books, it usually begins with their parents reading to them as children. How the family shared an interest in reading. How there was a wealth of books throughout the household. How reading was a way of life growing up. But that wasn't so, in my case. That's not to say there weren't opportunities to read. Schoolwork was the natural pathway for reading, though it was required. The pleasure came about in subtle ways. I found that by winning contests such as spelling bees and top scores, I would receive a book as a prize. This became a goal, as I tried to win as many as possible. Then of course, Scholastic would have their book fairs at school, and we earned stamps in class for achievements which we could cash in for books. As I brought more home, my mom could see how much I enjoyed this, so she'd drop me off at the public library, where I spent hours exploring - finding a good adventure, and a comfy chair - and there I sat until my mom picked me up. In high school, I was still overwhelmed with required reading, which took the shine off reading for pleasure. It seemed there was always something to read for a required assignment, and the enjoyment left me - I no longer found it as escape, but reality, as I realized that reading was an unfortunate necessity, rather than a pleasurable distraction from the every day. That changed when an English teacher allowed me to choose any book I wanted, without a required reading list. I wasn't buying into it - there must be an ulterior motive, no one allows you to do what you want, especially in high school?! Or do they? She recommended Lord of the Rings - to read as much as I want and write about it - I gave it a try, planning to just read a couple pages, skim the rest, and bluff my way through the assignment - but I kept reading, turning page after page, and completing it within the week. I wrote the paper, turned it in ahead of time. She called me up the next day, handed back the paper with a big A emblazoned across it, smiled, and said, "there's more!"........ And that's how my obsession with reading began!

Introducing the A to Z April Challenge

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com Starting a new challenge to blog about my passions of books, learning and teaching after retiring - 33 years in, and I hope I'll learn something about myself in the process - I'll try to blog each day with a different topic that hopefully will give me perspective as to why I've followed this path, and and what the future brings - it's an exciting time indeed....

Feeling Nostalgic

Feeling nostalgic - when I had my first bookstore Chulio Bookbrokers in Rome, GA, I was paying $50 per month, utilities included - I was also teaching at Floyd College (now named Georgia Highlands)....my wife would get out of work and stop by, so I could go home to go to the bathroom and grab a sandwich! I opened the shop because of my love of books, and had it in the middle of nowhere because it was near my house - knew nothing about business plans, and marketing strategy - I just knew the basics of Economics, which became mantra of a movie that hadn't come out yet, Field of Dreams, "If you build it, they will come!" And they did, so much so, I moved the store to a downtown, named Bookbrokers. Its success led me back to Traverse City where I opened another location on S. Union, also named Bookbrokers, and then Grand Traverse Mall, named ComicQuest, and then working for Horizon Books in Traverse City and Cadillac, and even my brief foray with Books a Million - really missing the store that started it all today for some reason - I used to pick up my stock from homes, attics, barns, estate sales, flea markets, and yard sales - I traveled to neighboring Alabama and Tennessee to find what the customer wanted - because it made me feel good, finding things for people when they had lost hope everywhere else - it was a love, a passion, and a way of life, that I've continued over the years - in quiet moments, I close my eyes and remember the very special times when I could help another soul as passionate in their love of books as I was myself. I remember visiting amazing shops in the surrounding area - Atlanta to be precise, and two give me the most vivid memories, and their futures demonstrate the hit-or-miss volatility of the market - one was C Dickens, which deals in rare books, maps and manuscripts which is still thriving today; another is Oxford Books (and its fellow stores, Two, and Three) which no longer exists except in the minds and hearts of those who were blessed to be its regular customers for eternity - there is something so rare, so beautiful, so extraordinary to meet a kindred spirit on the path that you have taken yourself - they understood, the need, the passion, and even the heartbreak to seek, to find, to release, and to seek once more, because you wouldn't have it any other way....so here's to you, ye searchers of tomes old and new, whether for another, or your own peace of mind - just another reason that no matter how long I live as a Bookman ( and I believe that's why I also became a teacher), I will be proud to have found that special something for that special someone for which they sought, whether lost or forgotten, to be held in their hearts forever more - this article summed up the passion of those who have lost a treasure, the soul of a community as Neil Gaiman would quote, the bookstore.... http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2014/11/intown-20-remembering-oxford-books/