Lately I’ve taken on the onerous task of cataloging my and the Mister’s many books. We have a lot of books. A “can never read all of these” amount of books. A “we could have our own library” amount of books. We have more bookcases than the average family should legally own. The bookshelf that is next to my side of the bed? That one is just for “to be read” books.

What can I say, we like to read.

Anyway… I found this dandy little smartphone app that allows me to scan the barcode on the back of the dust jacket, or paperback, and the book is automatically added to my list. I can even search a database for books that are too old to sport a UPC so I can include them too.

(Not a sponsored plug, but the app is called “Library Thing.”)

I’ve gone through all the shelves in the living room, and cataloged about 3/4th of the books in our bedroom. I still have our daughter’s former bedroom, and a few boxes and totes in the garage to tackle.

Up to this point? We have well over 600 books. I even have more than a dozen books on my Wish List. That’s crazy.

Friends have told me I need to get an eReader so I don’t have all those bulky books. I’d save room, and could carry 100s of books with me instead of the six or so that are rattling around in my purse and car backseat.

I know it sounds rational, space-available-wise, to embrace modern technology, but I do love the feel of a real book. I like the weight of it in my hands, the texture of the paper as I turn the page. I love that New Book smell. I love the cover art and the author blurb on front flap. I love the whole, real-book package.

For now, I’ll stay with my paper and buckram books. They never run out of batteries and won’t break if I drop them.

“A home without books is a body without a soul.” ~ Cicero

The word for this week is:

Paper

Using “paper” for inspiration, write 100 Words, no more, no less, then link back up here, or leave your submission in the comment section. Remember to keep spreading the love with supportive comments for your fellow wordsters.