Over the past few years, I have read several articles questioning whether or not there is a future for books, whether or not they are even needed with our current technology and the possibilities that lie before us.

One thing I have noted while riding the metro is the prevalence of books. Men, women, and children read on the metro. They read seated and standing in the aisle. Soldiers, executives, mothers, students, secretaries, consultants, police...you name the occupation and you will find at least one of those people reading a book.

The books themselves are as diverse as the people reading them. I have noted biographies, romances, research studies, poetry, novels, etc. In addition to books, you will also see people reading newspapers, magazines, and even letters.

I shall take a stand, here and now. I shall take a stand and say that there will always be a need for the printed word. Technologies has its uses, nay...its wonders. Yet, there is no dying that the written words provides an escape, a great way of passing the time while trapped on a crowded, hot metro train. And on a plane, in a car, on a bus, in bed, on the couch, before a fire, in the tub, and a thousand and one more places!

I, for one, am so very thankful that publishing houses have not yet surrendered to technology and still print those secondary worlds that educate us, challenge us, entertain us, and altogether make our lives more fulfilled.