Rediscovering the Magic of Bookshops and E-Books
kevinrunsblog.com– Rediscovering the Magic of Bookshops and E-Books. A close friend on Facebook responded to my review of the stunning Donal Ryan novel Strange Flowers. Over the past year, many people have been adding Kindle or other e-book downloads to their To-Be-Read collections.
Challenges for Bookshops and the Rise of E-Books
Bookshops, like so many high-street businesses, have faced months of closed doors over the past year. Consequently, with readers unable to browse books in person, it’s no surprise that book downloads have surged. However, that’s not the entire picture. Nielson Bookscan reports a more nuanced trend: both the volume and value of book sales increased by over 5% in 2020. It’s heartwarming to see so many turning to the written word for comfort, regardless of their preferred format.
We’ve often sacrificed clothes and holiday essentials to make room for a stack of books on our travels. We’ve managed this without exceeding our suitcase weight limit. Consequently, we understand the appeal of a hand-held device that can hold thousands of books.
The Joy of Rediscovering the magic of bookshops and e-books in a digital age.
Ultimately, e-books aren’t our first choice. Nicky, my bookish wife, tried using a Kindle as a backup if she ran out of books. Similarly, I owned one for a while but never used it for reading. We adore the tactile pleasure of physical books—the embossed covers and the smell of freshly printed pages.
pandemic adventure
On our last pre-pandemic adventure, we took a Megabus to London and visited Foyles on Charing Cross Road. The experience was like walking into a cathedral of books. For Nicky, it was almost a pilgrimage.
As a young woman, she spent countless hours exploring the shelves of this historic bookshop. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this literary paradise, continuing our exploration into the next day.
The Challenge of Finding Books Online
While we prefer bookshops and physical books, we’ve tried to replicate the experience of randomly selecting a book from the shelves online. Nevertheless, it’s challenging to capture the feeling of being drawn to a book by its blurb, cover, and first page when browsing online. This search for the perfect book is one of the many joys of reading.
I wonder when we’ll next find ourselves walking through the doors of a bookstore.
Supporting Local Bookstores and Libraries
Due to various lockdowns and restrictions, we’ve relied heavily on the internet to add to our book collection. We make a conscious effort to support independent bookshops instead of major online retailers. We’ve ordered from both Foyles and Waterstones, as well as independent stores and small publishers.
In my 2021 manifesto, I committed to supporting smaller stores and publishers. The thrill of unwrapping new books and the scent of fresh paper are integral to our reading enjoyment.
Finding Reading Material on a Budget
There are numerous ways to find reading material. Kindle and other e-readers are excellent resources. However, if you’re on a tight budget, consider visiting second-hand bookshops nearby. Some bookstores adapted during 2020 to keep customers supplied. Many now offer online and telephone ordering options. For instance, I enjoyed a wonderful bundle of second-hand nonfiction from The Old Curiosity Bookshop, which expanded its online offerings during the lockdown.
Libraries remain a fantastic and free community resource. We’ve cherished watching our grandchildren delve into books. Librarians are incredibly patient and encouraging with young readers. Check locally—some libraries now offer click-and-collect services during the current lockdown.
Gerard Nugent, a friend I made through social media reading groups, has just published his debut novel. Unfortunately, it’s available only as an e-book for now. I’ll be waiting eagerly for a paper version.
In the meantime, feel free to explore my reading lists for 2021, last year, and my occasional book reviews.
Virtual Fitness, Schooling, and Running Challenges
Look around, and you’ll spot something that has become a virtual version of its former self. Fitness classes performed at home are now commonplace. For instance, Nicky signed up for a Pilates class, which meant that, 10 months after everyone else, we finally tackled Zoom! Has it been a success? The jury is still out! In week two, we managed to figure out how to enable the instructor to see Nicky as she contorted into various poses. However, by week three, it seemed to slip by without being mentioned!
Charlie, Ever Helpful with the Piano
Schooling is now delivered in multiple ways. In my humble opinion, teachers and school staff deserve medals for their efforts over the past ten months. Adults can also be schooled via WhatsApp or tested online. For example, Nicky has had numerous video call piano lessons on her phone and even passed her virtual performance Grade I. This achievement was featured in one of my blogs highlighting the positives of 2020. Given her current progress, she may very well be aiming for Grade II before long.
Innovative Ways to Experience Life Online
Job interviews, entire workplaces, house viewings, trips to the zoo, and literary festivals—many of us have discovered innovative ways to experience life via the internet. We’ve already explored the virtual world of books and bookshops. Now, let’s delve into my other hobby and passion: running.
Replicating Running at Home
You might think running is something that can’t be replicated at home. Surprisingly, that’s not entirely true. Aside from people running marathons in their gardens, climbing Everest on their stairs, or completing half-marathons on their balconies, there is an (admittedly expensive) way to replicate running challenges without leaving your home. You’ll need a high-tech treadmill and a computer to run in the virtual world of Zwift.
We have the cycling version ourselves, as Nicky tries to keep up her mileage. Cycling is easier as you can place your actual bike in a turbo trainer—far less cumbersome and more portable than a treadmill.
Virtual Running Events and Challenges
Virtual events have also become popular. Using apps, training programs, websites, smartwatches, or simply good old honesty, we can participate in events with others while running alone. While creating my series of features on running events companies, I’ve learned how some have gone to great lengths to create virtual challenges.
Running clubs are also hosting virtual relays and time trial challenges. These activities not only provide members with training goals but also help maintain communication during these anxious and sometimes lonely times.
Personal Virtual Running Experience
I listen to a podcast, Running Commentary, presented by stand-up comedians Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson. Deering participated in the Great North Run virtual event and also the London Marathon. These events presented the added technical challenge of everyone running at the same time. His reports on these events made for great episodes, particularly the marathon—a huge achievement even without the usual London crowds or fellow competitors.
My Virtual Running Adventures
As for me, I’ve found myself clicking the “enter now” button for distance and elevation challenges. Mostly, it has to be said, from the quirky and excellent Bys Vyken. This Cornish event organizer has created a series of challenges during the pandemic, each with a backstory related to the region. Currently, I’m about a third of the way through their GOAT 2 challenge (and three-quarters of the way through Lamps On Lockdown). The combination of these two virtual events means I’m often out running the local hills during the dark hours.
Longing for In-Person Events
Do I miss participating in events in person? Oh, absolutely. Our road trips with our teammate Martin are such adventures. The middle-aged banter in the car, some coffee, and more giggles while waiting for the start are integral parts of the experience. Encountering familiar faces at trail events we prefer gives them a real community feel. Yes, we miss those days.
I’ve avoided “see how fast you can go” type of virtual events, but I understand the appeal for those who enjoy training to beat their previous times or win bragging rights over a running rival. Personally, I prefer to ignore the watch and simply enjoy running on the trails we’re fortunate to have on our doorstep.
Happy reading! Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. Who knew there was such a thing as #NationalReadingDay? It seems like the perfect day to share this!