Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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eReaders vs Dead Trees
That line about the music industry was beautiful! :D
"The computer games industry scripts have all the resonance and interactivity of a great book – which is why the movies use them now, instead of buying up book rights. But the multiplayer universe is taking over the games industry. The rush is now the thing, the interactivity that lets you meet someone you would never otherwise know and then pair up to kill all the other people you don't know. Until he/she shoots you in the back of the head and steals all your stuff."As an avid reader and gamer this is spot-on but there have always been games either written by or based upon classic SF and Fantasy. Still, it's true that many present-day authors are turning more and more to the games industry to tell stories, much as many serious actors are doing television because it has become the new medium for "proper" storytelling over film.
I still haven't made the move to e-books. Not sure I will. It does seem useful for traveling though.
Lucy wrote: "I still haven't made the move to e-books. Not sure I will. It does seem useful for traveling though."It is. My Kindle is a blessing on long flights.
Margaret wrote: "Lucy wrote: "I still haven't made the move to e-books. Not sure I will. It does seem useful for traveling though."It is. My Kindle is a blessing on long flights."
I concur. It's absolutely horrible to finish a book in the middle of a flight and realize that your other books were in your checked luggage (or in the carry-on they had you check at the gate). An eReader allows you multiple books in one small package. I have 400 or so on mine and 97 of those are still to be read.
Kimber wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Lucy wrote: "I still haven't made the move to e-books. Not sure I will. It does seem useful for traveling though."It is. My Kindle is a blessing on long flights."
I concur. It'..."
I've got about 300 on mine. Many are carefully chosen favourite books that I have worn many copies of out. I do like favourite re-reads for travel.
I still haven't switched over for travel. I take about 4 paperbacks in my carry-on and buy more there if I need them. And I have an Mp3 full of audiobooks which I find work incredibly well for the plane. Though I do have a couple classics downloaded for emergencies as I bought a tablet which has been indispensable while on vacation.
Lucy wrote: "I still haven't made the move to e-books. Not sure I will. It does seem useful for traveling though."yeah, it would be. If you don't have a problem reading a book on a gadget. I do have a problem with the gadget and screen thing so I will always travel with paper books. :)
Besides, there is the whole romantic notion of sitting on a train reading a book. turning pages of the next great American novel and hoping nobody interrupts you as you contemplate eating the olive in your empty Martini glass.
Sounds fanciful I know. But I have such a fanciful and sentimental attitude towards books. :D
I don't have an eReader, and I don't really want one, even if it is inevitable that I finally give in. I work on a computer, play games on a computer, surf the net, watch videos, I need some escape from the electronic screen.I like how paper backs look anyway, and I like how my bookcases full of books look like in my place.
Of course there is the environmental aspect to consider. Paper backs kill millions of tree's a year, but eReader's aren't exactly good for the environment either. I read that an eReader has the effect of 22 printed books, so in the long run (or short run) it's better right? That doesn't take into account libraries and used book stores where you are reusing the same book. If there was a real concern about the environment, they would be using recyclable materials to print books anyway.
I still have books from when I was a kid, I don't see that happening with an eReader.
Victor wrote: "I don't have an eReader, and I don't really want one, even if it is inevitable that I finally give in. I work on a computer, play games on a computer, surf the net, watch videos, I need some escap..."I would have never purchased an eReader for myself. I collect books. My bedroom is wall to wall bookcases and I constantly have to recycle and resell to make room for more. Then my fiancé got one for himself. He only got to read four books on it before I appropriated it for myself. 300 something ebooks later and I don't regret it a bit. My problem is room. I simply don't have the room or the $$$ to keep myself in books the way I used to. I still collect series that I am reading and if a cover catches my eye I'll buy it in hard or softcover. My kindle has saved me a ton of money and I can also be more choosy about the books I keep add to my bookshelf collection.
Kimber wrote: "I would have never purchased an eReader for myself. I collect books. My bedroom is wall to wall bookcases and I constantly have to recycle and resell to make room for more. Then my fiancé got one for himself."An eReader would definitely save room. I'm overloaded with books myself, even with a lot of book shelves. I don't think I would save money with one though, as I buy the majority of my books used. They average around $4-6, and an ebook is around $10-13 I think. I can buy new paperbacks for around that price online.
The stats I've seen (from the Sierra Club) suggest that the costs and the collateral damage of mining of raw minerals (and the later problems of safely disposing of polycarbonate, plastic, and metal devices) mostly cancels out the arguments of e-reader users that they are helping the environment in any way. How many trees are clear-cut to create strip-mines? How much new demand on the electrical grid does it take to run e-gadgets for so many citizens? What does it take (coal, nuclear, natural gas) to run that electrical grid?Whereas trees are at least, renewable.
I think this is the article, not sure.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/mar...
Kimber wrote: "Victor wrote: "I don't have an eReader, and I don't really want one, even if it is inevitable that I finally give in. I work on a computer, play games on a computer, surf the net, watch videos, I ..."Im with you there. Also, I get to obtain easily English and French books, where I had to recourse to specialized bookstores in Milan that often hadn't my favourites.
Victor wrote: "I don't have an eReader, and I don't really want one, even if it is inevitable that I finally give in. I work on a computer, play games on a computer, surf the net, watch videos, I need some escap..."Lucy wrote: "I still haven't made the move to e-books. Not sure I will. It does seem useful for traveling though."
One point: the proofreading is usually abominable! Bad proofing takes me right out of the mood of the book. But I admit they are good for travel or for folks living in more out of the way places.
I only skimmed through this thread so it's possible my question was answered already but I'm wondering if anyone has a jailbroken Kindle and uses Calbre? Do you like it if you do?
Victor wrote: "Kimber wrote: "I would have never purchased an eReader for myself. I collect books. My bedroom is wall to wall bookcases and I constantly have to recycle and resell to make room for more. Then my f..."There are a lot of ebooks that range from $10 plus but I belong to several online book clubs that offer 4 star rated and above eBooks at discount prices. Unless I'm looking for a specific book and don't want to wait, I usually get my 4 star rated books for between Free and $2.99. Check out BookBub.com and eReaderPerks.com. They both send daily emails in the genres you choose and mostly offer well written, decently edited options.
Gretchen wrote: "I only skimmed through this thread so it's possible my question was answered already but I'm wondering if anyone has a jailbroken Kindle and uses Calbre? Do you like it if you do?"I know of some who do. I think a couple ended up just getting out of Kindle altogether and got themselves a Kobo device instead.
I predominately but off kobo, but it's mainly because even with my ebooks, I'm anal. I like them to be all in the one place, I'm a freak, I know. I use iBooks to see specials then buy it from kobo, because almost every time it is the same. No price collusion there, no one ever said!!! But this is the frustrating part. In another group on the weekend they mentioned an author who's books were between 0 and $3.99. In Australia they were between $12 a $17. We are getting seriously stitched over here. And now kobo is doing less and less of bundles which are usually a good way to buy. :((
I remember when I got my first tablet. I had the Kobo app. I had a sticky beak and thought the prices were about in line with Amazon and Apple. I see you say that has changed. It's a pity.
Kobo app....that is one I've never downloaded. I wonder if the prices are better in Canada?? Australia just seems to get shafted on prices no matter what the format!
Maybe because I started with kobo, I prefer their library over all the others. And I just like to have them all in the one spot. It would be interesting Dawn to see if you thought it was cheaper. I just completed a survey for kobo, and I wonder if pricing had become an issue given some of the questions. The most frustrating part is the new releases. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy the real book! I won't go back to real ones though. A recent quote I saw: just because I have an e reader doesn't mean I don't respect books! It just means I can't stand to be without them!
I never buy ebooks so it will be hard to tell. So far I'm a library only reader for any digital format.
I was just curios, about what time it was of the other side of the world. I'm always wondering when people comment, are they at lunch, or home from work. It's the voyeur in me, haha. Have a nice evening. :))
AhhhI was at work then and now I'm at home waiting for my dinner to finish cooking! :)
Unless I'm sleeping or on vacation, I'm usually on GR's....work isn't near as important as books!!
Dawn wrote: "Unless I'm sleeping or on vacation, I'm usually on GR's....work isn't near as important as books!!"Books are everything!!!
Some food for thought in USA Today today (sheesh...that's repetitive):"A new study in Europe has found that readers using an e-reader were 'significantly' worse than print book readers at remembering when events occurred in a story. The study gave 50 readers the same Elizabeth George short story to read. Half read on a Kindle and half read a paperback. 'The Kindle readers performed significantly worse on the plot reconstruction measure when they were asked to place 14 events in the correct order.'
Interesting. Very interesting. Especially considering I had that exact problem when I tried reading an ebook. It seemed to use my brain differently and I couldn't absorb or force an interest in the story. (I know they aren't talking about interest in story, that wasjust an added problem for me).
now bobby, you know better than fuel our Fearless Leader distrust in ereaders! I'll never be able to bring her to the dark side!
Simona wrote: "now bobby, you know better than fuel our Fearless Leader distrust in ereaders! I'll never be able to bring her to the dark side!"You need not worry, you Dark Italiano Temptress, I burned the bridge to the dark side. :D Am now happily entrenched in the light! I tried those ghastly ebooks twice and now, quoth I, never-nevermore.
That's very interesting. I actually get a lot more distracted now with the ipad. Not as much when I had a dedicated ereader. Knowing there are all these conversations I can join can be a little distracting, especially if the book doesn't suck me into it's world. When I had just the kobo, I could really nestle down to get stuck into the book. Having said that I also have a gaggle of school report cards that say I was easily distracted too, oh well.
My main reason for the Kindle Fire is taking it with me on my traveling for work. Downloading a movie or book anytime, anywhere is pretty much the hook that caught me. I still make great use of printed books and my library so I guess I am an eclectic "peruser"!
Bobby wrote: "My main reason for the Kindle Fire is taking it with me on my traveling for work. Downloading a movie or book anytime, anywhere is pretty much the hook that caught me. I still make great use of pri..."Same here Bobby. I read on both my Kindle and my print books. $$$ is the main reason for kindle purchases. That and space on my bookshelves. One thing I do miss when I'm reading a regular books is the ability to instantly look up a word just by moving the cursor and highlighting it. Lazy, I know...but it's sooooo convenient!
This is an old, old thread, but I went and found it because I was itching to bring something up.I am wondering what the latest sales statistics are on tree books versus ebooks.
I have noticed throughout 2015, that paper book are having a resurgence.
From paperbooks having a strong presence on pop culture tv like Pretty Little Liars and The Affair, through to seeing book stores crowded with people at shopping centres.
I think the digital book fad may be losing ground.
I just saw an article not too long ago about the resurgence of independent bookstores and the decline of eBooks. I think it's linked in the random thoughts thread somewhere. I will try to find it later. Personally, I find digital books expensive. I can get most of the books I want in hardcover/paperback second hand for less. I won't pay new release prices for a digital copy of something. If I am spending $10-$20 on a new book, I want a dead tree.
Oh, I hope so Terri. Imagine Snuggle Pot & Cuddle Pie hunkering down with an e-reader! Electronic readers have their place like when travelling but definitely not when curling up on a rainy day. And imagine a book shelf with no books, just one little e-reader. How not exciting is that.I can spend hours in a book shop or a library. Sadly now even Libraries are becoming too electronic with their rows of computers. I love the pictures readers have sent in of their home libraries with floor to ceiling book shelves. The smell of all those tree books and the excitement of discovery cannot be replaced for me.
I miss the old card catalogue although online catalog DOES make it easier...
There is definitely a need for ebooks for travelling. That's for sure. Very helpful to many people in that regard.Like Gretchen, I have gotten books I wanted for very little when I've found them secondhand, and even brand new on special I have found them cheaper than digital.
I just bought the new book from Bernard Cornwell for $16 Australian. On the Amazon Australia website the Kindle edition is only $1 cheaper than that. Buying the book gives me something I own that I can keep forever or lend to whoever wants to read it. As an ebook I would have paid nearly the same price as paper and I would not have owned it, could not lend it to as many people as I want.
I also agree the ebook prices are getting higher. If I'm spending that kind of money, I want a book I can hold, keep on my shelves or share with friends.Besides, I feel obligated to support my local, independent bookstore... maybe a bit of rationalization here.
My Kindle is strictly for traveling and BookBub $1.99 specials.
And I deplore those books that are only one format or the other. Rhetorical question: Who makes those marketing decisions?
I think part of the reason you might find books in one format and not the other is due to the ease of publishing. I think it's easier for an author to indy publish an eBook than a paper book. I have a family member who has been trying to have a book published for years. She finally found a publisher and will have a dead tree book available early next year. I have often asked her about self-publishing an eBook and she just doesn't want the responsibility that comes with putting her own eBook out there. Having a publisher takes a great deal of the weight off her shoulders. This is just the perspective of one person. I imagine there are various reasons why an author goes one route and not the other. What I can't get over is who determines the pricing?
More on my comments yesterday about having a book you own instead of a digital you don't....my Dad is in hospital today. Hd is an avid reader and relies on me lending him books and his trips to the library.He really enjoys spending half an hour wandering the library looking for books.
I'm going in to see him today and am taking in my brand new Warriors of the Storm purchase.
I always lend him the latest Uhtred book when it comes out. If I had bought this new one as ebook the other day, I would not be able to let him borrow the new Uhtred to read in hospital.
As well as that, just having a paper book to hold on to a read gives booklovers much comfort when in a situation such as a hospital stay.
In saying that, I am sure there are ebook lovers out there who might get comfort from an eReader. But not my family. :)
I think there will always be a big place in this world for dead tree books. Digital will never wipe them out.
I mean goodness look at CDs and digital music. My hubby just went and bought 3 new CDs yesterday in a music store.
Even digital music hasn't wiped out CDs and music stores and I thought it would for sure. But there is something enjoyable about getting off one's butt to go into a physical store where you can spend half an hour rifling through shelves of CDs/books looking for a gem. Can't do that with digital.
actually, we often stick to vinyl... :) and I love art, photography and cookbooks. but as you already know, I love to read the book in the original language and there aren't many secondhand bookshops around here...that's why I love my kindle :)
Are secondhand bookshops just not much of a thing in many parts of Italy, Simona? Or do you mean just your local area?
There aren't many, in general. And expecially I don't know of any selling english/USA books.
Simona, you are SOOO lucky you can read different languages. I'm still hoping Ben Pastorlast two on Aelius Sparzianus will be translated into English someday. Or maybe I should get a copy of one in Italian: and try to read it, only knowing a few words?
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Dreaming the Eagle (other topics)Lord of the Silver Bow (other topics)
My Brilliant Friend (other topics)
Warriors of the Storm (other topics)
NOS4A2 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ben Pastor (other topics)Robert Low (other topics)
China Miéville (other topics)
Patrick O'Brian (other topics)
Richard K. Morgan (other topics)
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http://www.robert-low.com/blog2014.ht...