My thoughts about Kindle and e Books

[BAYLOR]

I want books , printed on paper of which I can turn the pages and put on a shelf . Regardless of it so called convenience . I have no use for Kindle or any E book related fomat . It this this the wave of the future , then I getting off here , thank you very much.

 

[Snicklefritz]

While I too love "real" books, I humbly suggest that should you ever suffer from poor eyesight (cataracts perhaps) or an inability to get out to purchase or borrow a book you might be very grateful for an e-reader.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Good points on both sides. Personally I wouldn't read an ebook unless I had no alternative. The great thing is that there is an alternative if and when required.

 

[Vince W]

I will always prefer a real book but an ebook on my phone has saved me in many a queue or boring situation.

 

[Elckerlyc]

I suspect nearly 100% of all readers prefer a paper book with actual leaves to turn and, if they so wish, to sniff the faint scent of ink. But at the same time there can be numerous practical reasons to resort to an e-reader. As an extra option, not an exclusive preference.

Limited space to shelf paper books,
the price of e-books compared to paper,
the scalable font-size,
the adjustable back-light
the nearly unlimited quantity of books you can store on an e-reader,
the weight of 100 books on a e-reader compared to the weight of 100 paper books in your rucksack while you travel,
the possibility to order from your house and, after download, start reading 5 minutes later, including many, many copyright-free classics.
the possibility to copy text from the internet and convert that into an e-pub to store and read on your device at your convenience.
Did I forget anything?
I hardly notice it when I am reading from my e-reader. The experience is basically the same, only it is far more easier to handle than a weighty book.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I run a bookstore - you have to love them to run one. Paper forever!

 

[nixie]

I never wanted an e reader but I won one at work a few years back.
It will never replace paper books but it is good stand in, I read it in bed easier than having a light on. All other times I read physical books.
I even bought a replacement when the first one wouldn't update.

 

[BAYLOR]

While I too love "real" books, I humbly suggest that should you ever suffer from poor eyesight (cataracts perhaps) or an inability to get out to purchase or borrow a book you might be very grateful for an e-reader.

Apologies , I was in full rant mode when I posted this topic.

 

[kythe]

E-reader is definately a space-saver. I have around 800 books on my kindle (including every book I've read by Chrons authors ). My family doesn't even notice my book hoarding issue any more.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Apologies , I was in full rant mode when I posted this topic.

Certainly no apology required. I too can "wax poetic" about paper books.

 

[The Big Peat]

There are times I read ebooks despite having paper copies. The fact I already have them on my computer and don't have to get up is a great advantage.

Otherwise, yes. I prefer paper books.

But after lots of moving and living with severe space constraints, I very much appreciate ebooks. I very much appreciate all the ARCs I'd get that I wouldn't if they were paper copies only. Ebooks are a fine thing and at this point, not provoking an either or choice for any of us.

 

[Pyan]

We're not yet at the stage that we can't have both, surely? I've both about 4,000 books, and a Kindle. If I want to reread an old favourite, it's almost always off the bookshelves. If I want to try a book or author that I'm not familiar with, I tend to get it on the Kindle, often using Kindle Unlimited (which is like having a library in your hand). If I want the latest book by an author I know and already like, I often go for the bound version. However, I first started reading David Weber with a paperback of On Basilisk Station, but all the subsequent books of this and his other series have been bought as ebooks: I just wouldn't have had the money or the shelf-space to buy them as actual volumes.

But I fail to see why the ebook/dead-tree debate seems to raise such strong feelings. It's still a free country in this regard: do what's best for you!

 

[cyprus7]

eReader apps on a smartphone are great while riding busy trains here; can hold the strap with one hand and flick the screen with the other.

Also, shipping English language books into Japan limits how many I buy and stay within my budget. Most indie eBooks are competitively priced and make it the obvious choice. I do like paper, though.

 

[farntfar]

I think everyone appreciates the advantages of paper books.
The feel and smell of the things is clearly a sensual pleasure, which I shall continue to enjoy.

However, it's a pleasure that I don't need to experience every day, or every time I want to read.
An E-reader has its own advantages, many of which have already been mentioned.
Someone spoke, I think, of reading in bed, where leaving the light off is necessary if you don't want to keep your partner awake.
The other advantage in this situation is the lightness of a kindle or tablet. Holding up a large book, like the Lord of the Rings, while reading in a horizontal position can be weary work, often giving you aching arms, just before sleeping.

But the big advantage for me is that I can easily order books in English from my home in France, which is impossible with paper.

Any book I like enough I can buy on my next trip home to see the family, to add to my bookshelf for a future rereading indulgence, if I wish.

So I say, both formats have their place.

 

[Pyan]

the possibility to order from your house and, after download, start reading 5 minutes later...

Forgot to mention this: there have been several instances when I've finished reading a book in a series late at night, and being an insomniac, bought and downloaded the next in the series there and then: no waiting until the next day and going into town to see if it's in the bookshop.

Speaking of bookshops, using the Kindle has almost been forced on me by the lack of bookshops that stock SF/F.
In Southampton, an urban area of over 250,000 people, there is precisely one Forbidden Planet (mainly manga and comics), one specialist bookshop (October Books, radical, eco-friendly and generally left-wing literature - very little fiction), and one general bookshop (a Waterstones), with a limited selection of genre books. On the Kindle, I have the choice of over 100,000 SF/F titles...

 

[HareBrain]

I fail to see why the ebook/dead-tree debate seems to raise such strong feelings.

On the internet, what else is it going to do?

 

[Elckerlyc]

Speaking of that, I would like to propose we stop using the internet and this forum and start discussing by means of writing each other extensive letters. You know, those sheaves of paper filled on both sides with often illegible hand-written text.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Speaking of that, I would like to propose we stop using the internet and this forum and start discussing by means of writing each other extensive letters. You know, those sheaves of paper filled on both sides with often illegible hand-written text.

You know, I truly do miss those.

 

[BAYLOR]

Speaking of that, I would like to propose we stop using the internet and this forum and start discussing by means of writing each other extensive letters. You know, those sheaves of paper filled on both sides with often illegible hand-written text.

Nope , it has to be Morse code or not at all. .

 

[Vince W]

Nope , it has to be Morse code or not at all. .

You kids and your fancy electrics. Signal flags is the way to go.