When we pick up a book, what exactly are we holding? Is it a living document or etched in stone? How closely do the words on the page mirror what is in the author's head? Why have they lasted so long, and how much longer WILL they last? Dr. Leah Price is a book historian and on this episode, she answers those questions, and wrestles with whether an audiobook or a digital file can be considered a book. Where did books come from, and why have they always been so satisfying to talk about? Dr. Price argues they are very much alive, and explains why the predictions that books are near death - predictions that started eons ago - have always been wrong.

Dr. Price is on social media at twitter.com/leahatwhatprice

Her website is leahprice.org

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