Maintenance Monday
Everybody's Doing It!
If there's one thing I'm biding my time over, it's e-readers. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I hate reading on computer screens. This is because I critique on computer screens, and my brain is in automatic let's-find-something-WRONG! mode. So reading for FUN on computer screens? Not a good idea.
But I haven't dismissed e-readers out of hand either. For starters, the idea of having a digital copy of something rather than a physical copy of the same something is REALLY appealing, as I have no shelves. Also REALLY appealing is that for every book I find that I want to read that's out of print, there's a 75% chance said out of print book is available for the Kindle. After all, I wouldn't have flipped out over finding Karen Traviss's second installment, Crossing the Line, if I'd had an e-reader. Also, my favorite space opera ever is Karen Lowachee's Warchild, and while I own the book, it's now become a difficult book to recommend because it's so darn hard to find.
Unless, of course, you have the right e-reader.
The reason I'm dragging my feet is that I'm an unabashed Apple fangirl. Before the iPad was announced, I was waiting to see what kind of splash Apple would make in the e-reader market, if any. And now that the iPad is here, I'm still waiting. I want comparisons between the reading experience on the iPad (which does more than just stores books for reading, and that's appealing to me personally) and the Kindle, which I've never used but have heard WONDERFUL things about reading some e-ink technology that makes reading on a Kindle like reading a physical book, which is a good thing.
In truth, all of the e-readers have their pros and cons, and that's why I'm still waiting. Because let's face it, if you think I'm an impulse book shopper now, can you IMAGINE how bad I'll be when I can just download things with the touch of a button? It's uber-instant gratification, and that, my friends, is dangerous when it comes to me and books. :)
But I'm leaning more and more towards the e-reading scene. I suspect that once Apple releases their second generation iPad, I might have reached a decision. But we'll see. For now, though, you know why I haven't converted to an e-reader, but why I'm getting more and more tempted by the day.
What about you?Book Club Selections
July: Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff
August: Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente
September: Theme: Themed Short Story Anthologies. VOTE NOW; deadline 7/13.
Book Sale: In order to buy new books, I have to sell old ones. Help me out? :) Details are here.
Follow me on Facebook, and find me on Paperback Swap!
FAVOR!! When I review a book you've read and reviewed yourself, would you kindly provide a link to your review in the comments of mine? I love seeing what others think, and sometimes I see those reviews when they're originally posted, but don't read them as I don't want to spoil myself on something I know I'll read in the future. The problem, then, is I often forget to go back and read the reviews I missed! So please, if you've reviewed something I'm reviewing, shoot a link my way. :)
Giveaways & Challenges
@ janicu: Enter to win an ARC of Married with Zombies by Jesse Petersen. For details, clicl here. Deadline 7/13.
@ Libri Touches: Enter to win the hardcover copy of Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon. For details, click here. Deadline 7/15.
@ Dreams & Speculation: Enter to win one of three hardcover copies of Stories: All-New Tales Edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. For details, click here. Deadline 7/16.
@ Jawas Read, Too!: Enter to win a copy of either The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan. For details, click here. Deadline 7/16.
@ Jawas Read, Too! the "Summer of Series" reading challenge is halfway over. Can you believe it? July is Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series, which I completed last year. It's a five book series, so if you want to participate, I recommend starting NOW. To read my reviews on the installments, click here and start with Trading in Danger.
For more details on how to sign up, or to see what series are coming your way in the future (like Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War), click here.
Got a giveaway or reading challenge you'd like to promote? Please comment.
Upcoming Reviews: Kitty Goes to War by Carrie Vaughn, Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff (sorry, this one will wait for the end of the month!), and The Web of Titan buy Dom Testa
Currently Reading: The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells
2010 Reading Total: 60 out of 75 (once I hit 75, I'll move that number up to 100).
2010 Comics Total: 220 out of 365. #221 will be tonight!
If there's one thing I'm biding my time over, it's e-readers. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I hate reading on computer screens. This is because I critique on computer screens, and my brain is in automatic let's-find-something-WRONG! mode. So reading for FUN on computer screens? Not a good idea.
But I haven't dismissed e-readers out of hand either. For starters, the idea of having a digital copy of something rather than a physical copy of the same something is REALLY appealing, as I have no shelves. Also REALLY appealing is that for every book I find that I want to read that's out of print, there's a 75% chance said out of print book is available for the Kindle. After all, I wouldn't have flipped out over finding Karen Traviss's second installment, Crossing the Line, if I'd had an e-reader. Also, my favorite space opera ever is Karen Lowachee's Warchild, and while I own the book, it's now become a difficult book to recommend because it's so darn hard to find.
Unless, of course, you have the right e-reader.
The reason I'm dragging my feet is that I'm an unabashed Apple fangirl. Before the iPad was announced, I was waiting to see what kind of splash Apple would make in the e-reader market, if any. And now that the iPad is here, I'm still waiting. I want comparisons between the reading experience on the iPad (which does more than just stores books for reading, and that's appealing to me personally) and the Kindle, which I've never used but have heard WONDERFUL things about reading some e-ink technology that makes reading on a Kindle like reading a physical book, which is a good thing.
In truth, all of the e-readers have their pros and cons, and that's why I'm still waiting. Because let's face it, if you think I'm an impulse book shopper now, can you IMAGINE how bad I'll be when I can just download things with the touch of a button? It's uber-instant gratification, and that, my friends, is dangerous when it comes to me and books. :)
But I'm leaning more and more towards the e-reading scene. I suspect that once Apple releases their second generation iPad, I might have reached a decision. But we'll see. For now, though, you know why I haven't converted to an e-reader, but why I'm getting more and more tempted by the day.
What about you?Book Club Selections
July: Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff
August: Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente
September: Theme: Themed Short Story Anthologies. VOTE NOW; deadline 7/13.
Book Sale: In order to buy new books, I have to sell old ones. Help me out? :) Details are here.
Follow me on Facebook, and find me on Paperback Swap!
FAVOR!! When I review a book you've read and reviewed yourself, would you kindly provide a link to your review in the comments of mine? I love seeing what others think, and sometimes I see those reviews when they're originally posted, but don't read them as I don't want to spoil myself on something I know I'll read in the future. The problem, then, is I often forget to go back and read the reviews I missed! So please, if you've reviewed something I'm reviewing, shoot a link my way. :)
Giveaways & Challenges
@ janicu: Enter to win an ARC of Married with Zombies by Jesse Petersen. For details, clicl here. Deadline 7/13.
@ Libri Touches: Enter to win the hardcover copy of Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon. For details, click here. Deadline 7/15.
@ Dreams & Speculation: Enter to win one of three hardcover copies of Stories: All-New Tales Edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. For details, click here. Deadline 7/16.
@ Jawas Read, Too!: Enter to win a copy of either The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan. For details, click here. Deadline 7/16.
@ Jawas Read, Too! the "Summer of Series" reading challenge is halfway over. Can you believe it? July is Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series, which I completed last year. It's a five book series, so if you want to participate, I recommend starting NOW. To read my reviews on the installments, click here and start with Trading in Danger.
For more details on how to sign up, or to see what series are coming your way in the future (like Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War), click here.
Got a giveaway or reading challenge you'd like to promote? Please comment.
Upcoming Reviews: Kitty Goes to War by Carrie Vaughn, Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff (sorry, this one will wait for the end of the month!), and The Web of Titan buy Dom Testa
Currently Reading: The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells
2010 Reading Total: 60 out of 75 (once I hit 75, I'll move that number up to 100).
2010 Comics Total: 220 out of 365. #221 will be tonight!