Well, I may have been one of the very few individuals that didn't partake in Black Friday. I don't like the crowds. I didn't even partake in Cyber Monday! Don't like Cyber Crowds either. Plus, I'm rather turned off by the whole concept of waiting in line in the wee hours of the morning on the off chance that one might get their fists on one of the few of "whatever-was-advertised" special item. Retailers often hype a hot product but only keep four, maybe six, maybe a few more in stock. Not very good odds for a whole lot of freezing fun waiting in line.
This holiday season I've turned to more of the homemade and regifting mode of celebration. No, it's not tacky and given the economic realities these days it's actually a better path and one that was used over the centuries quite successfully.
One of the best things to pass along is a favorite book and given the explosion of ebooks a physical book just might become a treasured gift to receive. The news recently reported that hardcover books are down 40% and ebooks are up about the same amount.
I bought my Kindle before the recent model was released and have to say that there are certain types of reading I prefer via electronic means to include newspapers and some blogs. However, sometimes a physical book is the best way to read.
What's important here is having choices.
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Behind the boom of new technology and the digital e-book revolution, there is a lingering panicky mantra among longtime book lovers that goes, But what about my pretty hardcovers?? And although I’m excited about the possibilities that the future holds, I’m right there with them – it makes me instinctively sick to think of a world where ITunes replaces bookstores and children grow up staring at screens. Those who agree will argue that there is something wonderfully tactile about the physical book: the cover design, flipping the pages, and oh, that smell… some things are just irreplacable.
But now that more and more readers are in favor of Kindles and IPads over stuffed bookshelves, what’s to become of the precious physical books? Well, these designers have found some pretty creative ways to celebrate the spirit of the book as an object – by finding a different use for it.
1. The Shelf
What better way to display books than on a shelf of MORE books? Like the designers of this inventive shelf, I totally feel the pangs of abandonment when I see books thrown out instead of “repurposed” in some way. Plus, this feeds right into my instinct to hoard books… long after I’ve read or have space for them.
2. The Laptop Case
Technology and traditional materials finally go hand-in-hand with these leather laptop cases, appropriately named the BookBook. For only $80-100, you can swath your MacBook Pro in a hand-crafted faux hardback book. So not only do you seem really intelligent to that cutie in the coffee shop, but no one has to know that you’re researching your paper on Google instead of at the library. Go you.
3. The Camera
Pinhole cameras were always a fun experimental diversion in high school photo class, but these made of books, by Erin Paysse at Engrained Works, take the process to a whole new level beyond the average coffee can. The pinholes even take and advance a roll of 35 mm film, just like a real camera… but so much classier! I just can’t get over how gorgeous these are.
4. The Flower Pot
0 Comments on It’s A Book (and Also Something Else…) as of 9/10/2010 12:44:00 AM
We're lucky we do have choices and we have the gift of reading.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
I'm not a Black Friday shopper or a Cyber Monday fan either! And I like your idea of giving heartfelt home-made gifts. Our family started that years ago - we each make our favorite breads, etc. and exchange them with each other. It's simple and really quite fun! And we know it will be used!!!!
DL Larson
I'm not either, went for a walk instead. News showed a woman being trampled and no one even stopped to help, they just walked over her. A mob scene.
I agree, books make great gifts and I can shop at my leisure.
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris