I am old school when it comes to books. I like the feel of something tangible in my hand, the swoosh of paper as you turn a page and the smell, oh the smell of the ink melding with the paper. I could go on and on about being able to go to the book shelf to pick one of my favourites volumes to read. It's like having my own private library. 

Let's face it, we are not all like me and I have to say, I am open to downloading and reading ebooks. It's a convenience I have come to appreciate when I can't decide which book I want to take on a trip and end up taking several just in case. The weight factor of several paper published books makes for an additional piece of luggage and the ultimate need to still decide which one will be read. 

Enter the e-book phenom into my travelling life. I am able to take along ALL of my books if I want and have only to deal with under two pounds of weight and no extra luggage. 

Of course, there is a need for some sort of electricity to keep the iPad happy, thus me happy. But in the case of not knowing if I will have a place to charge my 'reader', and yes, that happens, I carry small charging cells that fit easily into my iPad case. 

I am not abandoning my books on the shelf. That is not going to happen. I am merely embracing modern technology.