Hard Copy

 

In this age of computers, smart phones, and tablets, it’s easier and more efficient to retain files, documents, receipts, even books, in their digital forms. Quite a space saver! In the tech world, those are referred to as soft copies.

So what do you call something printed on paper? A hard copy, of course. Hard copies don’t require an electronic interface, like computers or mobiles phones, to read and display because they are a printed version on paper of data held in a computer. A hard copy is also known as a printout. 

Ex: I prefer email receipts but today I needed a “hard copy” for a rebate request. 

Book Recommendation: A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life

Reading an English novel is a big achievement in the processing of mastering a new language. The thought of committing to a book (a novel!) may be a little intimidating but the feeling of satisfaction you will have after completing it will motivate you to read more books in English. 

A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life by James Bowen is a best selling book and true story about James, a struggling street musician in the UK, and his friendship with a stray cat named Bob. The English text is easy to follow and you will quickly learn how Bob makes a positive impact on James’s life. 

This is a complete novel, not simplified in any way for English learners, and I encourage you to try it. I hope that reading more books in English will open new worlds for you.

Little Free Library

Do you have a Little Free Library in your neighborhood? It’s not what you might be thinking. A Little Free Library isn’t a big building full of books. It is, seriously, a really, really small library that is usually housed in a wooden box that looks like a tiny schoolhouse.

These little libraries are located in the fronts of publicly accessable locations like schools, shops, healthcare facilities, etc., but I most often see Little Free Libraries in the front yards of people’s private homes, facing the street, full of books for anyone to borrow. I always marvel at the commitment of those who decide to make the little library a prominent feature of their home.

The Little Free Library movement started in 2009 when a gentleman from Wisconsin built one as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved reading. He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. This developed into a mission to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide. Anyone who has the desire can install the library; you can build one yourself or buy one.

I see on the interactive map that there are a few countries in Europe that have two or three little libraries. Italy has 23! Do you have one in your part of the world?

Book Clubs

Are you a devoted reader who likes talking about books with friends? If so, you may be a perfect candidate for a book club. Book clubs are book discussion groups and they are quite popular in the U.S. Being a member offers the opportunity to share and discuss good books, learn about new books, express your thoughts, and socialize. Book clubs are small, informal reading groups that assemble monthly to discuss opinions, likes, and dislikes about a selected book. The group decides on one book to read for that month, with members bringing their suggestions.

Book clubs aren't for selling or buying books. They are merely for discussion and reading encouragement. My sister is in a book club and my friend is in two book clubs. If you want to start one, here are some points to consider:

1. What kind of book club?
First, decide on the purpose of your group. Highly social? Seriously academic? This helps in knowing whom to invite and what books to read.


2. What kind of books?
Think in terms of genre and level of difficulty.


3. What about members?
Groups of 8 to 16 members are best, enough for a discussion if several are absent, but not too many to make discussions difficult to manage.


4. Meeting — how often and when?
The most important thing is to pick a schedule. Meeting once a month seems to be the most common.


5. Where to meet?
Homes, clubhouses, public libraries, churches, coffee houses, cafes and restaurants all make good meeting places.


6. What about food?
Of course, but nothing fancy.


7. What should we call ourselves?
Give your club an identity. Here are some real book club names: Cool Girls Read; Chapter Chat; Wine, Chocolate, and Books. You can be creative or basic.


Reading opens our world and sharing that world in a book club is a rewarding social activity.