See Here for Parajunkee's Themed Challenge
Day One
Snark Attack! Tell us how you really feel about a particular blogging subject. Let it off your chest. This is your chance to just EXPLODE!
Books Are Called Books!
This isn't another e-book versus book post, it really isn't. I don't care what someone thinks is "better." I'm just tired of books being renamed by those who prefer e-books or who, for some reason I can't figure out, think books are no longer called books after hundreds of years because we now have electronic formats too.
Examples -
- Dead Tree Books
- Print Books
- Physical Books
- Paper Books
- Dead Tree Paper Books
Not that any of these titles are insulting, but why does a book now need a descriptive name when referring to it? It really is just a "book." Does the name suddenly change into something else? Do people not know what a book is called anymore?
A book is a book
If someone WANTED to get technical or argumentative, e-book is pushing the "book" title, but I don't see people calling it anything other than it is. E-Book stands for electronic book, but before the invention of e-book, the definition of book was:
book
bo͝ok/
noun
noun: book; plural noun: books
- 1.a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers."a book of selected poems"
- a literary composition that is published or intended for publication as a book."the book is set in the 1940s"
- used to refer to studying.plural noun: one's books; plural noun: the books"he is so deep in his books he would forget to eat"
- a main division of a classic literary work, an epic, or the Bible."the Book of Genesis"
- the libretto of an opera or musical, or the script of a play.
- the local telephone directory.noun: the book"is your name in the book?"
- the Bible.noun: the Book
- informala magazine.
- an imaginary record or list (often used to emphasize the thoroughness or comprehensiveness of someone's actions or experiences)."she felt every emotion in the book of love"
- 2.a bound set of blank sheets for writing or keeping records in."an accounts book"
synonyms: notebook, notepad, pad, memo pad, exercise book, workbook; More
With the revival of E-books (I remember when they first came out in my early twenties over ten years ago), these were also called a form of book since they hold the content that was usually held within a book. Technically, it's an electronic story, not an electronic "book" - since by definition book is physical. You never see people walking around saying E-Story or E-File though! I wouldn't think to do that either, because that's just not their name.
This has been bugging me lately, so I'm glad I got to rant for "Snark Week." I just shake my head at this trend - I see it on Goodreads, other book blogs, Booklikes. Do people not think it is clear enough to call a book what it is anymore? I would think if anything needed to be specified, if anything is other, it would be the E-book, which derived from the parent and is the newer product that would get the "special name." Well, wait, it already does! E-Book instead of Book!
Perhaps some do it because they think E-books are superior and are doing subtle digs at those who still love books and haven't fully converted over to the electronic-only side?
Or, some just do it out of habit because it is a trend, and I read too much into this stuff?
Does anyone have this pet peeve, or is it just me?