Community Chat

[glmama]

Hi & Welcome, cyan. Thanks so much for the reply and your insight into the Kindle. I think it's on my radar for the near future. Not tomorrow, but maybe within the next 6 months or so. I just have so many books "on deck" that it wouldn't make any financial sense right now. I have to plow through some more of my waiting books before the purchase.

[Annabellethecat66]

I am a person who always the latest and greatest form of technology. I love all of these 'gadgets'.

That said, I still can't find myself to get something like an E-reader or even think of download a book on anything.

I just seem to like leafing through the pages of a book. There is something about the smell of a book.

I can't explain it. I know it sounds strange.

I have read over and over where soon there will no longer be books. How sad. I hope that day never comes.

I am reminded of all of the movies that have been made over the years where books are burned, etc.

How very sad that would be.

Perhaps I have that in mind when I leaf through my books.

[LilacTree]

I have had a Kindle for two years. I did not buy it, it was a gift. It is not a "paperwhite."

I used it for a few months, read quite a few books on it and then gave it to my daughter, who recently gave it back to me. I just don't use it, don't like it, I guess.

I have a $14 credit on it right now but can't think of a single thing to use it for.

[glmama]

Annabelle and Ford-Thank you. Love checking back into this thread and finding more replies and opinions.

Ford--Is there a cookbook or manual or something *other* than fiction you would like?

Annabelle-I can't imagine that ""real"" books would ever completely go away. At least I hope not. It is a scary thought.

[jaxs mom]

I have a love hate relationship with kindle books

Love

the instant gratification

often cheaper prices than print books

the savings on shelf space and boxes when moving

the ability to "carry" my whole library with me everywhere I go

choosing the font size on the page and background and print color so it's easier to read

I never have to worry about where I last left a book and I can make and edit notes and highlights without damaging it

I love that a 10 lb books no longer weighs 10 lbs to read

Hate

that I don't actually own the books, I just have a right of use

that Amazon can and has removed books from people libraries

requires a device of some kind be it a computer, kindle device or kindle app for another device like a tablet to read

that I need power to read my books. If my battery dies I'm SOL if I'm not near a charging source

To a certain extent I do miss everything that goes into printing a book from the choice of paper, typesetting, deckle edge, the cover, weight and feel and the larger size and better quality pictures, first editions, actual signed copies by the author ect

Sometimes the navigation of an ebook is just terrible. For very long books it can be a PITA to move around between sections as needed. There may be no linked TOC, footnotes or index. It's often much faster and easier to switch back and forth between sections in a print book and can be done in one step instead of tapping and scrolling through the list of self made notes and bookmarks once you finally find what you want. On the other hand using search in ebooks can be a godsend compared to print.

Some of my favorite books aren't available on ebook

[glmama]

HI Everyone-

Jaxsmom-Thanks so much for sharing your experience with e-readers.

I still don't own one, but I have a feeling that I won't always be saying that. I think that the convenience factor is HUGE, especially when traveling. I also stand over my suitcase or beach tote and throw in all the books I plan on reading while away. Of course I realize that this is not a real "problem"! But in the world of reading and lugging books around, it is.

[occasionalrain]

I have given Kindle a good try, used it to read three books, and hated it. I want a real hard cover book with that new book scent.

[jaxs mom]

If I had my choice, I'd have all my books on print and a FREE digital copy to use.

[chrystaltree]

I'm an avid reader too. I have been since I was 4 and my grandfather taught me how to read "real books". I read about 50 books a year and I bought my Kindle Fire in December 2012. I thought I would use it as a pc; for emal, online shopping, Google etc. I did not envision using it as a reader. Well, I was wrong! Once I bought that first Kindle book.....it was Katie Bar the Doors for me! I'm now reading more books than I did in my pre Kindle days because I can purchase a book immediately, instantaneously. No more browsing around book stores. And no duds! Pre Kindle, I would choose a book and after reading a few pages, discover it was a dud and toss it aside. With Kindle book reviews and chapter samples, that doesn't happen. I have my Kindle with me 24/7 because in the past I always had a book with me 24/7. At 54, my vision isn't what it was at 34 and reading is easier for me on my Kindle. I think I have read two "real" books since I got my Kindle and one was gift from a friend. But I do not like reading magazines on my Kindle. I much prefer holding a physical magazine and putting post-its on pages I want to revisit. Magazines on Kindle are too "busy" for me. If I touch something or even if my finger hovers over something (my Kindle is sensative) too closely, I "zoom" off to a video or another article or to a store website. And then I have trouble getting back!

[mibaker]

I too am a reader and love books. I have a kindle and I do like it. I had the Kindle 2 with the keyboard but upgraded to the paperwhite, which I love, smaller, lighter weight. I also like some of the prices on the books. BUT I do still get hardbacks especially of authors I really like. I too had tons of books. Went thru them, kept some but donated the rest to the library.

Happy Reading!