I love books. I’m an “old school” reader. When I want to read, I get a book from a book store, from Amazon.com, from the library, but I get a BOOK.

The Kindle is a hand-held electronic device. Oh it’s supposed to display the pages in such a way that it’s like reading a book. And it sure would beat lugging a suitcase full of books on vacation (which, let’s face, I completely do). But where is the smell of an old book? The feel of cracking the binding? The smudgy words of a much-beloved book? Isn’t that part of what reading is all about?

Plus, while I worry about dropping my books in the bathtub (been there, done that!), I don’t have to be worried about DYING if I drop my book into the tub. Not so with the Kindle?

I’m not trashing those of you who do your reading via listening (for a great audio book review Web site, go to AudioBooksinReview). I have occasionally picked up an audio book for learning during a commute or trip. I’ve just never sat down in my house and listened to an audio book.

I think audio books can be a GREAT way to get kids interested in reading. I have recorded myself reading kids books and given that as a gift to young family members that are too young to read or who struggle with reading. Sometimes getting them caught up in a story is enough to get them curious enough to read a series. The “The Chronicles of Narnia” are fantastic for this!

I’m going to stick with books while I can. What do you think? Are printed books going the way of the dinosaur? Will they soon, like cursive writing, phase out of style?