I know, I know... it's been done before. I'm behind the times, I admit it. But remember, I still haven't read Twilight, so my delayed response here should surprise no one.
I know many of you have purchased (or won, like Tamika!) Kindles or other e-readers. Are they wonderful? Are they disappointing? Should I beg for one for my birthday?
Okay e-reader owners, I need your help. Is it worth campaigning for, or am I better off without a $250 book toy?
Question of the day: Kindle or paperback?
44 comments:
You can skip TWILIGHT.
But think of all the paperbacks you could hold in your hands, and lend to your friends, with $250!
That's what I'd do.
Though I don't have one... yet... I think I would probably get one if I traveled a lot. At this point since I stay home more than go places... I haven't convinced myself it's worth the money.
Hmm, I don't have a kindle, so I'm not much help! I've very slow to adapt tonew technologies, but I can see myself getting one of these for when I'm on the go. I will always prefer real books, but sounds like it might be worth it.
Okay so I'm the proud owner of a kindle and an intense book lover. So I did a ton of research before I recieved mine. There are good and bad things of course, just like EVERYTHING that is out there. Here is my opinion: If you are a true reader/writer you can never replace the feeling of a physical book in your hand, so I remedy that by still buying physical books. But with the kindle, the kind of access you have at your fingertips is just astounding. I read a review of a book on a blog yesterday, thought it sounded good, reached 3 inches, turned on my kindle and the book was downloaded in 1 minute. Literally. It was that easy. No jumping in the car to go get it, no ordering it online. It was there and ready for me to read. I also think its amazing that it can hold so many books at once and keep your exact location in tact. So I can switch back and forth easily and know that my last reading spot is saved. Its also the best possible thing to take on trips. Car rides, plane rides, it downloades from 3,000 miles in the sky.
As you can tell, I pretty much LOVE my kindle, but I can understand where many people come from when they say they dont want to spend the money. I get a little worried when people get a kindle and forget all about the beauty of a physical book. So as long as you dont forget the creamy pages of a book and the way it feels to be in your hands, I'd say you should totally get a kindle!
I just won a Kindle, too! But it hasn't come yet so for now, I choose paper :)
I'll go e-reader eventually, but I don't have one yet. I don't have $250 to blow, and if I did I would either put it in my Mac Fund or go buy $250 of hardcover books. BUT if I traveled a lot (say, when I get published and am whisking around the country on fabulous book signing tours) I would love it!
Having a Kindle would be cool, but the feel of holding a book. So, I'll probably never get one. I've heard great things about them, though. : )
Don't have one and would only want one if traveling a lot. I like the experience of holding books. I like looking at bookcovers and turning thick pages and thumbing back to reread.
I have a Sony reader Pocket...only $199 at Target. Hubby bought it as a Christmas present and so far I really love it. At first I wasn't sure it was worth it for me....$200 is a lot of money, first of all, and most of my books come from the library. BUT, as a future epublished author, many of the books I want to read are fellow Lyrical Press authors and therefore, in electronic format and I am not one to sit at my computer and read. The Sony Reader is very light and very cute. I read in bed mostly and sometimes it gets very awkward to hold a book (I usually lay down), especially big hard covers. The Reader is so nice...I just lay there and press one button to "turn" the page.
It's a nice little gadget and as soon to be epublished author, I do pray ebooks take off. I think once ereaders come down in price and and more libraries start "lending" electronic books...they will become more popular.
I travel a fair bit and might want one before the next travel extravaganza. But I do love all those books on my shelves.
And there's a present for you on my blog. :)
I've always been a late adopter of technology, largely because the early adopters end up with the most expensive, bug-ridden technology. When the costs come down and the products get cooler, I may eventually take the leap.
I love the feel of paper in my hand, and the ability to flag pages, highlight and write in margins. But I also hate CLUTTER, and books have a way of making my house a mess. Professor hubby is an insatiable book hound, so it actually would make sense to get him a reader before I got one.
I don't have one. But it'd be awesome on trips so I wouldn't have to squeeze my kids in around my book bags.
Winged Writer
I was given one for my birthday and I'm still getting used to it, but I really like it. I'm reading Fearless on it right now, and I've loved highlighting the passages I hope to reflect on later, which I can see on one page anytime I wish. That part is pretty cool. I've also used my iphone app to read a book while sitting in a boring class. I liked that too. I'm also looking forward to using it when I travel.
These are great comments everyone - very useful! Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions with me. :-)
The only time I like the idea of one is when I'm traveling and my big heavy book is in the way. Otherwise, there's just something about the feel and smell of a real book that makes me happy.
Depends on how much you read, how much you travel, how much you need to read right now, how far you are from a library.
NEVER, EVER SHALL MY ROAD MEET WITH ONE OF THEM KINDLES. Ain't gonna happen. I have to caress my book when I'm reading. Well, that's going a bit far, but you get my point. :-)
Gotta feel the love of the book.
Ask for some books for your birthday.
HUMPH!
:-)
I LOVE my Kindle. It's fantastic for beta reading and editing and it's great for real books too. I still do read a lot of actual books though, because I still love those.
Here's the thing though, Apple is supposedly coming out with this tablet thing that will have eReader functionality. I think it's going to be more expensive (rumored price point is $600) but it's supposedly going to blow the Kindle out of the water. They're going to announce at the end of the month.
Oh, I don't know what I'd do. I can't get one at this point, so I don't think much about it. Personally, I love the feeling of a book in my hands, not this plastic thing, convenient or not. if I ever end up doing major traveling I will consider it...or ya know on book tours....ha ha ha ha
You guys are the greatest!
Does anyone have a comment about how they are on the eyes? Do your eyes hurt when you read with one, or is it really the same feeling as book text?
I'm going to wait a few more years. When they get cheap (like DVD players did), I'll buy one. I'm sure I'll still read paper books too.
I'm not sold on them yet. But I don't have one; have just inspected my friends'. So I'm definitely not an authority one it--and reserve the right to change my opinion!
I don't have a kindle either. I'm too attached to actual books. And I think I'd feel I was reading from a computer screen (though I've never tried one), which I do too often on the actual computer screen.
Paper back! But maybe someday I'll look back on this high=held opinion of mine and laugh at my naivety. Who knows.
I love that movie too, by the way. :)
paperback all the way. there's nothing like curling up with a good book on the bed... but when i'm desperate for something to read, i download ebooks onto my laptop. still haven't kindled.
I really want a Kindle so I can download friends' MS to it and read it like its a real book. As sson as I have $250 to blow, I will def buy one. BUT I will continue to but most published works the good old-fashioned way.
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I don't think I'll ever buy an e-reader. I've got to have a solid book in my hands :)
My parents got me a Kindle for Christmas, and to be quite honest, I wasnt sure I was going to like it. I love having the actual book there. However, that being said, I adore my Kindle. I find Im buying books Im not positive about (from say, new authors) on my Kindle since its cheaper. But Im still buying regular paperback books from my favourite authors. I also love getting free books to put on my kindle. Since I'm an English major, being able to have the classics for free is wonderful.
Don't feel bad - I haven't read Twilight either - and living in small city Canada means I still haven't even seen an ereader in real life :)
I've been just as interested as you to see what people say. I think I will eventually buy one simply for travel and beta reading, but I can't imagine ever getting rid of books completely. I love them too much!
I don't have a Kindle and don't really want one. I love books .... but
I do read books on my laptop using e-readers. I like being able to change the font size. The more tired my eyes get, the bigger I make the words, and I like propping the computer in my lap and not having to hold up a big heavy book. My laptop is my primary tool for work, entertainment, writing and reading. Other than the occasional paper book (in the car, in the briefcase and in the purse), I don't feel the need for a special e-reader.
I'm still in the dark ages, too... no laptop, no kindle, I do have an ipod, at least! But that's about it. Small town life with small town stuff.
I haven't read TWILIGHT and I love the feel of a book!
much love
I love my Kindle. And to answer your question, it's like reading a book. So different from a computer screen. Very cool. Plus, you can adjust the font size to make it even easier on the eyes. Love it!
I still buy books too. I'm an equal opportunity reader. ;)
Shannon, I'm resisting. So far, I don't mind going to the library or book store or even ordering a book online. All of that is rather fun. It involved delayed gratification, something we are losing in our society. I don't mind waiting, or working a bit to hunt down a good book. I'm sure in time I will succumb, but for now, I'm good with my books alone. :) Will be awaiting your decision, though...
I don't have one... Maybe I'll get one someday, but there's just something (as other commenters have mentioned) that is SO immensely satisfying to hold a book between my hands and turn the pages...
i don't have one, but i'm sure i will one day, to use as a supplement to real books. $250 is a lot of money for me right now...
They shouldn't be hard on your eyes due to the e-ink. The ereaders are not backlit like a computer screen so there's no risk of eyestrain.
I vote paperback. An actual book gives a tangible house to intangible ideas, in a way a computer screen never will. I think us humans need this tangibility. It helps us understand and accept ownership for our ideas & feelings, and it gives us something to hold on to when we they seem to get misplaced.
Vote on skipping TWILIGHT too!!
Loved reading all the comments, especially about adjusting the font size, which attracts me, as does the ability to search for words, character names. Too often I forget who a minor character is and how they affected the plot.
So far, however, I've resisted the urge.
Slow adopters sometimes get products that have improved due to customer feedback and competition.
Here's another vote for physical books, as I love holding the book in my hands while reading. Think it's part of the whole reading experience.
Have heard that there are a few new ereaders in production that are supposed to blow both the Kindle and nook out of the water, so you may want to hold off buying one right now. Still think the prices are much too high, but maybe they'll come down after a year or two.
Wow! I'm so glad you asked this question. I've been wondering the same thing and loved reading all the answers. You have great commenters!
SOOOOooo paperback... who doesn't love the smell and feel of a real book in your hands??!? Something I will never or could ever THINK about giving up!!!
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