In search of some good Christmas presents, I have been cruising the net, reading book reviews. Soon enough, its all I'm buying this year: books.
I do all the shopping on line.
At first, I just get a couple on line. The ones I am familiar with, I don't feel a need to hold them and look at them, I just want a good cheap copy. I plan to go to the bookstore for the ones I am less familiar with. Hold them, read a couple pages. I found one, an art book, that I would have to see before purchasing it.
But the internet grabs me. Offers me inexpensive prices and timely arrivals. It even tells me that it will give me credit AND a gift. I get the thrill of shopping with out even standing up! And suddenly my Christmas shopping is done in a matter of hours. So much faster than driving to a store!
Then. I wonder if I am depriving myself of a sensational experience. Touching books. A weight in my hands. Perusing artistic covers, reading the summaries on back, flipping through pages. The softness of bookstores with their high shelves, dark wood color, and quiet music. This year, I sacrifice these things, but have the time to watch another episode of Glee.