The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion
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Would you read a book that is not a book?
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I watched on the Amazon website the ad for the Kindle...it's an electronic book reader..can download books to it. Looks great but the cost is too high for me. What do others think? I like the wikipedia, and other uses the Kindle offers for quick use as I am reading.Ed
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Ed, there is a thread discussing the Kindle already. A few of us have commented.
I probably would not read a book that is electronic. I say probably because I never thought I would love using a computer and I do.But as far as books go, I love everything about books. The feel, smell, the different types of paper used, the fonts, the covers. I especially love small books like the poetry size that can be easily carried around.
So at this point in life I have to say I would prefer to read an actual book.
'Sokay. :) Meghan might vote you off the island, but you know how she is...
I've not used the Kindle, but I have read a few books that had been downloaded to a PalmPilot. I prefer reading actual books, but having them on the PDA is great for traveling.
I cannot see myself ever reading an electronic book unless it's something that's not available as a "real" book. Like Barbara, I think the physical aspects of the book add to the experience. Plus, I get a headache if I stare at a computer screen too long!
I'm surprised, though, that I haven't seen an argument yet about how books destroy the environment, and how we should all read electronic versions to save trees. Maybe it's because environmentalists love books, too.
I'm like Barbara in that I just LOVE books. It may sound odd but opening up a book, old or new, is just such a rush. However, I do read books on my computer and listen to audiobooks. The audiobooks give me something to occupy my mind if I am walking or doing housework or knitting. Especially knitting. Plus an audiobook is an outstanding way to drown out the 3003rd viewing of Finding Nemo or Cars;o) And I use the Gutenberg Project online books for the same reason. I struggled for years trying to manage holding a book open while knitting. It is just easier to read something on the screen and scroll every few minutes than to reposition the weight, then turn pages not to mention trying to figure out how to put the book at a decent angle so I don't get a crick in my neck8O) I have a friend who puts her books on a music stand but I tried it and it was just a huge hassle. So.... using those alternatives lets me get more reading done each day than I otherwise would. Which works for me!
amber mentioned getting a headache if looking at a computer screen too long- the joy of the e-reader is that is doesn't use the same lighting as the computer. it's easy on the eyes and doesn't induce headaches. thank heavens for technology!
I do most of my reading on my commute, so I pick up a lot of my books at the Strand or sidewalk used book sellers. Large/hardcover books aren't so easy to carry around (my copy of Anna Karenina weighs as much as my laptop!), so someday it might be worth it, but for now it's too expensive. Not to mention I love the paper/covers/etc (sorry, trees...)
I would if the thing were waterproof, sandproof, crushproof, etc. I could see taking an e-reader to the beach (where usually I have a suitcase packed with books and maybe two outfits), but these things look fairly fragile and I'm not about to ruin a four hundred dollar toy. For day to day reading, however, I prefer my good old paper.
I did read the strangest almost non-book, which I really was mesmerized by recently. It's called: "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick. Really an interesting concept. Have you seen it?Deb
...however, onto the question of the Kindle...I thought about the pros and cons for over a month. I'm such a purist and I love my books terribly. I mean it's an all-incompassing love!! But, I'm running out of space now that I'm 50+ and when I last moved, most of my books had to be left in boxes which are now stacked in my climate controlled garage...controlled for the books. So, I ordered the Kindle. On the wait list for it. I figure that I spend about $400 within 3 months at the bookstores, so it wasn't expensive considering all that I would be saving by the greatly reduced prices of the downloads. The Kindle is so portable, too. And the screen is non-glare unlike the compuler screen. I like the fact I can take notes as I read, have a dictionary and can adjust to font if I forgot my glasses! All in all..it's a product whose time has arrived for me.
i'm going to have to agree with deborah. i love my books as well, but i travel and move excessively. on trips abroad, i've had to leave books at airports because all my carryons were stuffed full and one pound more would cost $25. i have boxes of books in garages all over the country. and i miss them horribly. i don't think i'll ever completely forgo the crisp pages or the leather-book smell, but it's certainly time for me to look into other options. i'm looking more at the sony reader. it seems a bit more user friendly as i'd like to use it for other documents. i'm glad it has features where one can highlight/write notes in the margins. it would have been perfect for school- i wasted more space and $$ on textbooks than i'd like to think about.
Ed
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