You are sitting there. Slim, fresh, modern. You’re available and easily accessible. You’re just what most people want.

You allow people to have extra space, time and money. You are always ready to offer the next, latest article, book, game, video and music.

Don’t get me wrong, Kindle, I tried to love you.  I have had you for over a year now. And I’ve tried.

But, I just can’t. After months of (mostly) using you for my personal reading, I picked up a real book.

The feelings that came rushing back as I sat with my new-to-me fiction novel were overwhelming.

I know you hate to hear it but I love the weight of a real book in my hands. The black words covering each page like a tantalizing maze that brings me further into the story. I love that I can underline or circle or I can bend the page corner down. If I splash a little coffee on the page it’s not a big deal. When I reread it, that stain says “hey, remember the first time we hung out here?”

I love that a real book can be stacked with other real books. That you can grab one and put it in your bag so when you have 5 minutes you can take it out and have your own immediate escape.

Over the past week, since I picked up my real book, I’ve started to feel more like me again. I had no idea that I had missed the experience so much. I thought reading the things that were downloaded free to you, Kindle, would somehow replace over 25 years of relationship that I built with my real books.

I am sure there is a place for you in my life. There’s always the dictionary and thesaurus you provide. I just needed to let you know. In my love affair with reading, my needs are truly only met by a real book.