Ah it's a delight to be reading you again Michelle. I'm looking forward to hearing more about those physical reads and I need to know which book store in Mexico City that is!
I'm a bit torn. On the one hand I am committed to reducing clutter and 'stuff' in my own a large portion of which is represented by physical books. On the other I share your fondness for the many benefits of reading a physical book.
Steven mentioned this essay and was ashamed I hadn't devoted the time to properly read it, but here I am! So true, and reading it reminded me that it applies to everything, being able to TOUCH something, someone, is the difference of it being there. I also have to confess that I find a Kindle a good happy middle haha.
Also, loved the coincidence of me taking Steven to another Péndulo and you using a picture from one of those. Love, love that place and go very often :)
"Or a video popping up with the details of Kim Kardashian’s latest lover. The price I must pay for reading anything for free." I laughed out loud, Michelle. And "I crave the physical": yes, yes, yes! I also remember the details of paper books better: I swear it's because I see them on the shelf and my brain is refreshing the plot and subject over and over again.
I'm here for more physical reading too! I've noticed I have a hard time focusing when reading physical books/magazines now, more so than when I was younger. I used to love my old kindle too, it was great for reading on the train without carrying the weight of a monstrous book. But i noticed the weird black and white ads that came up too, and it turned me off. Now I have no idea where it was.
It would be so cool if substack had a service where once a month you can pick like 5 of your favorite writers and they'd print and send a physical copy of their work for that month!
+1 Becky - what's at the top of your physical book list??
One day, when I have a bigger space, there will be a room for physicals things. Lined floor to ceiling with countless stories and one of those polished, wooden sliding ladders.
I love this, Michelle! And gosh how I long for a world with less distractions and more quality. I honestly think we’ve been moving too far into the digital world, and people are starting to long for the physical things again. I, too, find myself loving a good old magazine and the smell of library books these days
I love this! When I was in elementary school, 6th grade to be exact, every other Friday we would walk from the school to the public library. I loved library day. My problem was not having enough time to read all the books I checked out. I thought I could be a hero and read them all, but there just wasn't enough time. Now that I'm older, I keep telling myself to stop buying books because I have plenty waiting in the back burner. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped me. I have paperbacks, hardcovers and, of course, the Kindle app. Maybe since I'm an English teacher I make time to read lengthy articles and 400–500-page novels. However, I do understand people's attention levels have shortened over the years because of social media and other distractions we didn't have in my day. Anyway, I write all this to say reading is fun, at least for me. Thank you for sharing this, Michelle. You brought back some memories for me. Nice work as always.
I love this piece. I resonate with the desire to reduce my time with short form, addiction-inducing, and superficial media — so that I can find depth and nuance within books and essays.
Read More Physical Things
I'm excited on what your first physical book pick is!
Wasn't expecting a Mitch Albom reference, but awesome to see it!
There are so many developmental mental pathways that map to that tactile experience. Nice commitment!
Ah it's a delight to be reading you again Michelle. I'm looking forward to hearing more about those physical reads and I need to know which book store in Mexico City that is!
I'm a bit torn. On the one hand I am committed to reducing clutter and 'stuff' in my own a large portion of which is represented by physical books. On the other I share your fondness for the many benefits of reading a physical book.
Steven mentioned this essay and was ashamed I hadn't devoted the time to properly read it, but here I am! So true, and reading it reminded me that it applies to everything, being able to TOUCH something, someone, is the difference of it being there. I also have to confess that I find a Kindle a good happy middle haha.
Also, loved the coincidence of me taking Steven to another Péndulo and you using a picture from one of those. Love, love that place and go very often :)
This! 🙌🏽
Enjoyed this Michelle! :)
"Or a video popping up with the details of Kim Kardashian’s latest lover. The price I must pay for reading anything for free." I laughed out loud, Michelle. And "I crave the physical": yes, yes, yes! I also remember the details of paper books better: I swear it's because I see them on the shelf and my brain is refreshing the plot and subject over and over again.
I'm here for more physical reading too! I've noticed I have a hard time focusing when reading physical books/magazines now, more so than when I was younger. I used to love my old kindle too, it was great for reading on the train without carrying the weight of a monstrous book. But i noticed the weird black and white ads that came up too, and it turned me off. Now I have no idea where it was.
It would be so cool if substack had a service where once a month you can pick like 5 of your favorite writers and they'd print and send a physical copy of their work for that month!
+1 Becky - what's at the top of your physical book list??
One day, when I have a bigger space, there will be a room for physicals things. Lined floor to ceiling with countless stories and one of those polished, wooden sliding ladders.
From a fellow Detroit Free Press devourer, this resonates.
I love this, Michelle! And gosh how I long for a world with less distractions and more quality. I honestly think we’ve been moving too far into the digital world, and people are starting to long for the physical things again. I, too, find myself loving a good old magazine and the smell of library books these days
I love this! When I was in elementary school, 6th grade to be exact, every other Friday we would walk from the school to the public library. I loved library day. My problem was not having enough time to read all the books I checked out. I thought I could be a hero and read them all, but there just wasn't enough time. Now that I'm older, I keep telling myself to stop buying books because I have plenty waiting in the back burner. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped me. I have paperbacks, hardcovers and, of course, the Kindle app. Maybe since I'm an English teacher I make time to read lengthy articles and 400–500-page novels. However, I do understand people's attention levels have shortened over the years because of social media and other distractions we didn't have in my day. Anyway, I write all this to say reading is fun, at least for me. Thank you for sharing this, Michelle. You brought back some memories for me. Nice work as always.
lol you and I have opposite problems---I have TOO many physical books.
My analog desk has over 100 scattered and stacked right now, then there's my side table and my actual bookshelf filled with them.
There's no winning 🫠
I love this piece. I resonate with the desire to reduce my time with short form, addiction-inducing, and superficial media — so that I can find depth and nuance within books and essays.