This past month, the country, if not the world, lost an iconic, larger-than-life lady in the person of Dolly Parton.  One truly incredible fact about Dolly that few people knew is that, through her foundation, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, she has given away over 300 million books, free of charge, to preschoolers worldwide. Currently, 1 in 6 children under the age of 5 in the United States are enrolled in her program.

What a legacy.

It’s also a reminder of the value of a book in hand.  Nowadays, ebooks and digital audiobooks can be streamed to your handheld device in seconds.  While I have taken advantage of this technological marvel, I still prefer the tactile experience of holding a physical book.  I fear that tiny screens have become a digital distraction, fueling our dopamine-addicted brains, shortening our attention spans, and making the art of reading even more challenging.

Research now suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than with e-readers, and the immersive experience of handheld books helps readers absorb and recall content more effectively. Unfortunately, when I explained these “facts” to my wife to justify my book purchases, she suggested I finish reading the 3,000+ books in my library before buying any new ones. She doesn’t quite appreciate the value of an unread library. I did confess to her that I once told myself, “Bob, you have to stop buying books. Thank God my name isn’t Bob.” She didn’t appreciate that humor either.

We will be singing Dolly Parton songs for generations to come.  But let’s not forget that among the many things to remember about Dolly is her generosity and gift of books to young, developing minds.

And maybe the next generation will discover that books were the first hand-held device, and they will echo the words I tell myself quite often, “I’m not addicted to reading.  I can quit…as soon as I finish the next chapter.”