Melani Blazer

Why books are better than a movie… or TV or video game.

Where to start? These are in no particular order or importance… and are simply my opinions.

1) Versitility. You can take a book in the car (if you’re not driving ) on a plane, train, doctor’s office, to the bathroom (c’mon, you KNOW you’ve done it) to bed, the tub, etc. Movies? Even a portable DVD player isn’t as versitile.

2) Face it, you get more with a book. Even a book you can read in less than two hours, you get more than the content of a movie. You get inner thoughts, more detail, even more action. I can’t say there’s ever been a case where the movie was better than the book (that I’ve seen).

3) Price. $2.95 (small ebook) to what? $16.99ish for a large trade paperback? Movie: $19.99 for DVD or if you’re GOING to a theature, it’s $7 per person, ONE VIEWING. It’s a better deal.

4) Cast your own characters. Ever saw a movie after reading a book and say Oh GOD no, that’s not what I pictured *name* to look like? Even when people post a picture of what they think the character should look like (couldn’t find the example I wanted, but I’ve seen it done on blogs/websites) I often create a different image in my head. On the flipside, sometimes I won’t see an otherwise good movie because I don’t like the actors in it. Or won’t appreciate the story line because of an actor.

5) Intimacy- You don’t have to share your experience, unless you want to.

6) Fantasy- I never can get into a movie the way I do a book. A book seems to surround you and tease all your senses and you can become invested in the characters in a way I can’t do with a movie–I guess because I’m constantly reminded I’m only watching.

7) You don’t have to fight anyone for the TV or argue over which movie you want to see. If one book doesn’t work for you, there’s several more a bookshelf (or library or book store) away.

8) Per Shannon: You can’t throw your TV against the wall if the movie sucks.

9) Ebooks. Read on the computer, on a handheld device. Storage is incredible for those. No need for huge bookshelves (tho they’ll always be nice….

10) Convenience: have a book-can read it anytime. Need to grab the phone, slip in a bookmark. In the car at the drive thru? Get a few paragraphs read. Movies? forget it. TV–gotta hassle with Tivo, if you have it. DVD? good luck finding your place again and you’ll have to rededicate yourself to sitting on the sofa. Books are anytime.

11) Content: Get to a sex scene? What if kids are in the room? Flip off tv, pause that DVD. Not with a book. Wear your secret smile and keep on reading!

12) You can make your own soundtrack: Ipod + books = heavenly getaway.

13) Thanks to Jaci for this one: It’s not insulting to fall asleep in the middle of a book.