In ancient times before the written word existed, oral traditions served to teach, entertain, and preserve history across generations. Native Hawaiian performers, for example, conveyed their stories through “mele (song), oli (chant), and hula (dance)” as well as the spoken word. (source)

About 3,000 B.C., Mesopotamian scribes discovered that their new writing mechanism could go beyond inventories and bookkeeping. When they, “realized that writing could be used to record their most valued epic stories, their excitement likely matched our own when portable computers came on the scene. They could hardly have predicted the transformations that would occur over time once oral and written technologies merged.” (source)

These days, there are even more choices on how stories get delivered. Print books can be hardbacks, paperbacks, graphic novels, magazines, etc. This now old-fashioned medium makes it easy go back and re-read paragraphs or pages as needed. The printed versions also create an unplugged activity without worry of power levels and blue screen glare.

Ebooks, on the other hand, can be read on computers, tablets, Kindles and the like. The instant download provides quite a perk versus the delayed gratification of acquiring a book through a store or library. More environmentally sustainable than their counterparts, ebooks allow travel with an expansive library in a single, light device.

Finally, audiobooks, can be heard on a computer, cellphone or even some smart speakers. The biggest advantage of this medium tends to be multi-tasking, like taking in a novel during a daily commute. Audiobooks come full circle to ancient oral traditions and level the playing field for non-fluent readers.

Everyone, no doubt, has their favorite way to catch up on their TBR pile. It turns out paper still rules the roost in the U.S., with about two-thirds of adults reporting reading at least one print book in the past year, compared to less than one-third for ebooks and one-quarter for audiobooks. (source)

In the end, it doesn’t really matter how reading happens, just that it does. Books are a precious gift, a life-changing opportunity, and a conversation across time and space. Stephen King got it right when he described books as “uniquely portable magic.” Go enjoy a sprinkle of magic today.

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall.

~ Roald Dahl