Shelfless In The House

An ad I just read by a publisher said I will need bigger shelves due to the large number of very fine recent books out. Nope. I don't have shelves any more. While there are pros and cons about "real" books compared to on-line ones, I prefer reading on my computer or device. Oh, I know, I know. You like the smell of books or holding them close to your heart or being able to take them along (to hide behind?) but that doesn't work for me any more. Why? It's cheaper for one thing. I "buy" most of my books for free and if I don't like them, one hit and they're gone and another one can be popped up instantaneously. I weaned off hard books when I wanted to sit outside and have my library and phone and an information source all in my hands. Yup. I am lazy. I don't want to move if I don't want to. If I am sitting in my reed wing back chair with something cool beside me in a glass and my feet up, no, I don't want to get up. Everything I need for a good read is right where I am. I read on. Another "why" I have switched to screen reading, is that my "book" is lighter to hold and I can make the print larger or smaller when I choose. I can carry my book shelf in my handbag. When I have to wait or stand in line for times, my book is readily (pun) available. The final "why", is that I live in an urban style condo where a book shelf library is not practical. For sure, I have six shelves of my dear old friend books and references, but over the years, I have had to pare down many of them and save only the books that I shall not part with. Some of them are original publications stuffed with pressed wild flowers, old photos or little bits such as feathers, locks of hair or swatches of cloth. The books' contents have meaning as well as their own contents. Some of my friends and relatives know what pages hold the treasures and on what pages they lurk for the surreptitious viewing. Moving to online reading is something I can effect during my solitary eating/lunching/munching sessions at the computer where the set up in my den, is the comp screen sitting on a generous amount of board jutting out from the top of my desk. Tut tut, I hear. Yes, indeed, it is one of my favorite places and indulgences. When you're a widow, you don't have to explain what you do. You do as you please, and what I please of late, is my reading habits, doing so on-line. My on-line library is huge and my reading base, unapologetically, much expanded since I switched. Now, let's see where was I?