I have a nook (actually, I have two) and it's turning into one of my favorite things in the world for pleasure reading. I don't have a lot of room for storage so my print books are all piled on each other and into corners and sometimes get stepped on, and I don't like doing that to my books. I admit, there is something lost in the digital bookmarking process, and it's not as easy to flip around to favorite points, but I think that digital is a good compromise--for me--for most books
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See, I'm not...how do I say this, I'm not all evangelical about this. I have no problem with ebooks and ebook reader, and when people tell me how wonderful they are, I can well believe it.
But I just miss the feel of the book in my hand, the way it flexes, the feel of the paper under my fingers. It's just not tactile enough for me with a Nook or a Kindle. And yes, Giles, it's not smelly enough. Reading a book on an ebook reader, I don't feel as though I'm really reading it, just scanning the words. There's not enough interaction between my mind and the book - it's as though the technology somehow creates a barrier for me.
I've met some people who are, to use your word, evangelical and it's just like, wow, I'd hate to see you on a moral/ethical issue if you get up in arms over a person's right to choose how he reads.
I did like the article, though. I've seen some more business-oriented ones about ebooks are killing proper bookstores and I feel like those are unfairly weighted and completely impersonal.
Ahh.. I have shelves and shelves stuffed with books, some mine, some my parents'. I love physical books and the way they smell, however, while I have never used an e-reader I have always prefered to read off a computer screen.
My hands go numb if I hold a book for a long period of time and I'm a reader who can go hours without a break. So I don't know if a Kindle or Nook would do it for me since I'd have to hold them too.. but I don't think they should stop printing books altogether. I can't get most of my favorites as e-books on my computer, why spend the money when I already have the paper version?
I sincerely hope printed books never go out of style. One of the good things about a printed book? You don't have to turn it off when an airplane is taking off or landing, you can just keep right on reading. ;) I've never used an ereader, I'd probably have the Kindle app on any iPad I get (because I want one terribly, if only for the mobility since my computer is a desktop) for ebooks that aren't available in print, but I'll always prefer a print book to an ebook.
The main reason I broke down and bought a Kindle is for the purpose of reading on the go. I'm a speed reader, and if I'm on the train or flying somewhere, it's just not practical for me to carry the five or six (or more, if I'm vacationing somewhere for more than a day or two) books that I know I'd read during that time. And that's not even getting into the fact that it's really hard to carry any longer or hardback books with me, simply due to lack of space.
If I'm at home? I'm going to read the actual print book. I don't know exactly how many books I own, but it was 1500+ when I moved a few years ago, and I know that I've bought several hundred more since then. Because, yeah, there's nothing like holding the actual book in your hands when you're reading.
So, yeah, I love my Kindle, and it's definitely made reading outside my apartment more practical. But almost every single book that I have on it is one that I have a physical copy of on my bookshelf as well.
[You know, I sometimes wonder what the arguments were at the time when people shifted from clay tablets to papyrus :) ; it must have been interesting then too, judging by some pretty rabid people out there arguing for/against e-books
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But I just miss the feel of the book in my hand, the way it flexes, the feel of the paper under my fingers. It's just not tactile enough for me with a Nook or a Kindle. And yes, Giles, it's not smelly enough. Reading a book on an ebook reader, I don't feel as though I'm really reading it, just scanning the words. There's not enough interaction between my mind and the book - it's as though the technology somehow creates a barrier for me.
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I've met some people who are, to use your word, evangelical and it's just like, wow, I'd hate to see you on a moral/ethical issue if you get up in arms over a person's right to choose how he reads.
I did like the article, though. I've seen some more business-oriented ones about ebooks are killing proper bookstores and I feel like those are unfairly weighted and completely impersonal.
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My hands go numb if I hold a book for a long period of time and I'm a reader who can go hours without a break. So I don't know if a Kindle or Nook would do it for me since I'd have to hold them too.. but I don't think they should stop printing books altogether. I can't get most of my favorites as e-books on my computer, why spend the money when I already have the paper version?
Reply
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If I'm at home? I'm going to read the actual print book. I don't know exactly how many books I own, but it was 1500+ when I moved a few years ago, and I know that I've bought several hundred more since then. Because, yeah, there's nothing like holding the actual book in your hands when you're reading.
So, yeah, I love my Kindle, and it's definitely made reading outside my apartment more practical. But almost every single book that I have on it is one that I have a physical copy of on my bookshelf as well.
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