I want to embrace the 21st century. I really do! I've turned in my foot-long cell phone for something narrow and chic that slides into my pocket. It vibrates and makes me feel good. I blog, e-mail, and Facebook. I do Intel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations when forced. But God, I hope I never get an e-reader.
I was on the subway this morning and didn't have my own reading material. I thought I'd just "borrow" material from the woman next to me. She had a Kindle. Nowhere on the "page" did it list the book title or the author. I need to be a bit discriminating when I'm readdropping. (Yes, I just coined a word. I get credit.) I want to know if it's a mystery, textbook, romance or porn. But with an e-reader, there is a setting so the title and author are hidden from prying eyes.
Seated across from me, a passenger was reading Paulo Cohello. Not my favorite author, but if we were next to each other, I'd have spent a few minutes craning my neck to read a page or two. Don't worry, I'm aware how irritating others might find my readdropping habit. I'm starting to think the Kindle reader on the subway intentionally didn't display the title so as to deter my readdropping.
For most of us, it's difficult to start up a conversation with a stranger. However, reading material--visible reading material--is a perfect ice breaker. Recently, a fellow rider was reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I was consumed with the need to voice my opinion. After giving her my over-dramatic review of how well the author portrays the strength of the human spirit no matter what horrific events crash down onto the characters, she looked at me and said, "It's so depressing. Does it get a little lighter?" Apparently, she didn't listen to a word of my five-minute diatribe. I missed my stop I was so involved in my re-enactment. I noticed her bookmark was barely placed one-third into the book. (Another thing e-reader doesn't have visible.) I gave her a smile. The virtual bubble over my head stated: You think it's depressing now, you may want to lock up the kitchen knives before you finish the book.
I've read tv scripts over people's shoulders, perused porn magazines, and read a term paper about Louis Pasteur via my neck-craning method. Along the way, its opened up some lively conversations.
I can only hope my readdropping days and talking to complete strangers aren't coming to an end.
Long live the paperback!
