If I had to name my favourite things in the world, and I shall for the sake of this journal, I’d easily put books into the top three. Right after Kaija, not that she’s a thing, but she really does deserve a spot there together with fine artisanal coffee, not the regular stuff – for I have standards and so should you.

But this isn’t about coffee or Kaija, it’s about books and how, no matter what some people say, they are all wonderful in their all ways of existence, be it digital or physical.

I read a lot. And I like to buy books a lot in both mediums. And I feel like I’ve gotten enough insight on what makes both parties so great and where they have to improve upon. I also create and publish comics that are created traditionally but published digitally. It kind of makes me part of the industry.

Let’s start with the obvious. There’s nothing better than holding a beautiful book in your hands. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it. No matter how nice they make those Kindles, Nexus’ and iPads, they’ll never come close to the touch of paper or a well-designed hardcover. It will never smell like a new, unopened novel fresh from the printer, and you can never have the opportunity to fold edges to mark your progression, and leave a little cute bookmark there.

There’s also convenience in physical; I could spill coffee on my books all day long and nothing would fry.

And with digital, you will never feel the weight of a thousand-page tome as you’re holding it on your lap, in a bed, slowly swimming through it.

This is where physical books excel; every novel and comic is a different tangible experience where graphic and packaging designers can come up with new exciting ways to make the journey different and remarkable.

But that also has its cost. There’s nothing easier than to one-click-purchase through Kindle and have a digital book downloaded in a matter of seconds; ready to be read, ready to rock. And no matter where I am, I could potentially carry hundreds of digital books with me. I love the little gadgets that tell me how fast I’m reading on average and how many hours I still have left; it’s almost like a race and a doomsday clock combined.

And it’s cheaper too, which makes the consumer/book hoarder in me happy.

I’m also really fond of the buzzing community of writers and artists in the digital scene. They are practically giving out free ebooks and webcomics, and while they aren’t all national classics, they’re still entertainment and that’s what ultimately matters. Physical media is a restriction to sharing, and sharing is caring.

I admit that the whole industry is rapidly changing, it always is, but I feel like I’ve found a great groove with both mediums.

For presents, both to myself or others, I will get physical copies, for I want there to be a physical proof for the sentiment. Also, you can wrap it up nicely.

If I’m planning to read something out of curiosity, or receive a recommendation from a friend, then I’ll go full digital, for there is a chance that I won’t enjoy the book and I’d rather minimize the potential loss.

I will never, ever, not in a million years buy an art book digitally. Some people enjoy them just fine, and that’s cool, but my personal preference is that I want to hold it in my hands and show it off proudly.

I love comics, both digital and physical and so should you. My enormous dislike for comic book stores makes it very convenient to get it all digitally, but then I can’t use it as easily as an art reference. Scrolling through digital files in search for that one thing is worse than hell.

I dislike the presumption that digital for some reason should kill the existence of physical books, or the other way around for that matter. I get it that it’s financially easier to create and distribute digital products, but I always end up feeling like the argument for either side is always rather black-and-white and narrow minded, not taking into account that both can co-exist in the constant state of change and evolution depending on what the current trends and different purposes are.

Never the less, I will never give up one of my greatest joys in life; raiding bookstores in search for hidden jewels.  If you live in area close to a great bookstore, then I recommend you make your way there fast, to a genre of books you’ve never read or shown interest in before, like poetry, romance or biographies. And when you’re there, just pick the most appealing looking cover and just be surprised. You might get pleased, ecstatic, or even gravely disappointed, but at least you’re living a little.

And that’s more than most people do.

 

Love,
Silver

 

 

Also, check out the Run Freak Run e-book 1. We worked hard on it and we’re totally proud of the extra chapter in it and I think you should read it for it has mer-men and mermaids and rain and it’s very melancholic and sort of bizarre.

Double love,
Silver