Simply..in praise of bookishness....

22/5/2016

I grew dozens of pink campion from seed to plant in Coronation Wood - a little bit of woodland in the village that some of us look after, and was about to Google to see just what conditions suit them best.

But something made me stop.

Instead I made up a tray of coffee and biscuits, went into the study, lit the lamp and took down a few lovely books on wildflowers of Britain. (There are some gorgeous books of this type in bargain book shops.) I had a leisurely, peaceful browse for half an hour. No ads, no distracting links; when I went away and came back the book was still open at the same page and the text and photographs were on the same position on the page.

It was so enjoyable! I had quite forgotten how nice it could be.

There are photographs but....I've not had time to figure out how to post them yet.

Windows 10? It hasn't solved the problems I hoped it would....

12 Comments

Madeleine Lawrence

22/5/2016 02:11:16 pm

Hi Freda,

I recently realised that I was jumping to google every time I needed garden help, and then I remembered my lovely library of books on the shelf! I love to have a few open at once on the coffee table, and pore over the pictures and compare information. Often I can find what I want ,and sometimes I realise it's not urgent to have an answer - perhaps I could ask - a real person! I think google, whilst being sometimes useful, robs us not only of books but of human connection and sharing of ideas and information.

Thanks for the reminder that maybe all I need is already here in front of me.

Madeleine.x

Freda

23/5/2016 05:37:16 am

A real person! Yes!

Linda

22/5/2016 02:48:39 pm

It's quite a sad thought that many people in the future will not have the habit of referring to books. I can't imagine life without richly illustrated books on art, gardening or food. An e-reader's not the same, really, is it?

Freda

23/5/2016 05:38:36 am

I read recently that the sale of e-readers is going down and of books going up here in UK! There's a place for both of course...

PennyL

22/5/2016 11:54:21 pm

As a primary supply teacher I find it very sad that when we are doing 'topic' there is no longer a pile of books on the subject in the classroom. Instead the children will be asked to use ipafs or laptops. Inevitability some won't have been charged or just won't work,so children spend half the lesson charging around school looking for another one. I realise they will be adults in a computerised world, but they are missing out on the pleasure of using books for reference. I quite often pop to their school library and leave a few relevant tomes on their class book shelves as a token gesture!

Freda

23/5/2016 05:39:19 am

Oh that is not just sad, it is tragic Penny.

Lotta

23/5/2016 02:14:56 am

So civilised! I've been enjoying going more in that direction too. It's like the difference between a lovely leisurely meal and fast food...

Freda

23/5/2016 05:39:50 am

What a good analogy!

julia

23/5/2016 03:46:59 am

you are so right! what an important reminder...i experience an underlying anxious feeling when i am online, that is certainly not present when i am browsing through my beloved books....but i did find it funny that none of us would "know" each other if we hadn't googled our way to your blog, Freda...so there are a few riches to be found on google for sure...:-)

Freda

23/5/2016 05:42:21 am

Absolutely Julia! I recognise that underlying anxiety - with books you know for sure it will still be there tomorrow! And yes, the irony is not lost on me....hurrah for the wonders of the web AND of books, and that we can have both.

Lucille link

24/5/2016 05:44:29 am

I was given a copy of the Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife many years ago. It is the most brilliant photographic guide and has never let me down. I refer to it constantly and can highly recommend it. I think it is still in print but with a new cover. Not quite pocket sized, but portable in a rucksack. I keep mine in the kitchen!

Freda

24/5/2016 01:51:15 pm

Thanks for the recommendation Lucille - sounds a treasure.

Simply..in praise of bookishness....

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