Editorial Book Club

With technological and digital ways to absorb stories, the way people read has changed overtime. Inventions such as Kindle have made it possible for people to read their favorite books, all while staring at a compact screen. Podcasts are a thriving form of media, with Audible and Spotify being right at people’s fingertips. Even physical, printed books are slowly reintroducing themselves. And though the forms of print may be modified, reading will always be relevant. Reading as a form of expression has not been lost, it has only been altered.

As people grow up, they are required to read in high school and college, which may create a forced feeling to read books. This may cast a burden on young individuals and discourages them from reading at their own discretion making reading for pleasure less common amongst younger generations. However, with time, reading transforms into a more enjoyable task since there is autonomy over the novels one chooses to read, people begin to recognize the comfort and enjoyment of a good book.

The experience of reading a printed book is often overlooked, fleeting with the idea that peole must always adapt to advancements in tecnhology. Technological developments have brought great opportunity and progression in the reading world. But regardless of tech advancements, there is a peacefulness of holding a physical book. The crisp turn of the page, smell of aged paper, words jumping off the page and turning into pictures.

An art form in itself are the annotations on pages made by previous readers. This allows the reader to observe the thoughts of previous owners as the new reader pays attention to details in a different way and draws unique conclusions. The ability to annotate, highlight and make a book one’s own with the stroke of a pen is powerful, a direct thought to paper experience. And choosing print allows readers the experience of physically handing off a favorite book to a friend or relative who will appreciate it.

The impact of a book can often be the spark for certain people, becoming a life-altering read. Many great writers, journalists and literature professionals, or even those outside of the arts, can recall their favorite book, one they read time and time again to revisit what inspired them. It may be a representation of their values, or simply a story that made them feel something.

Not only is reading essential for knowledge and pleasure, but it is a way for people to stay in touch with the minds of the past. The language, the slang, the way the world is seen — something that can only be merely summarized in history books — becomes meaningful when written by someone living in the time who can intimately share their experience.

Reading is a powerful pastime, and its relevance will outlast any new tech trend. The very act of reading can fuel one’s mind, lift their spirits and influence feelings. Charles W. Eliot once said, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Anyone interested in getting back to reading can find unique, well reviewed books at the Curious Bookshop located at 307 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI. The shop is owned by Ray Walsh, a Michigan State graduate who has owned the shop since 1969. Walsh said his favorite part of owning the shop has been “meeting the people that come in shopping for books and giving back to the community.” The location of his bookshop plays into a big part of his motivation to keep the store running all these years. The Curious Bookshop is one of the largest in the state, next to its sister shop, the Archives Bookshop, which Walsh said “holds more Michigan history and culture.” Walsh believes modern day e-books just don’t compare to paperback books, and he encourages his customers to get absorbed in the magic and nostalgia of paperback books.

"Reading as a form of expression has not been lost, it has only been altered."

Style: Kate Blaszkiewicz Glam: Stefania Martinez Photo: Josh Auten Jr. Writers: Paige Helmling, Madeline Minnick and Emma Sarkisian Models: Derik Holmberg and Dhara Rami