Okay, Listen Here

Okay, Listen Here

Thursday, March 29, 2012

E-Readers Anyone?

I recently had a lovely day with Pantster and our friend, the Fabulous Lynn Raye Harris, joined us for lunch. In the course of our conversations, they repeatedly referred to books they had read on their electronic readers. Then they moved on to compare features on their different electronic gadgets.

As most anyone who talks with me for at least ten minutes knows, I am a Luddite. I don't fear technology. I just usually don't like it and it doesn't like me. In fact, it hates me. That's right; technology hates me. All of my technological gadgets stop working and/or malfunction at a very alarming rate, especially at school. My smart board and computers act up about twice as often as the machines of the other teachers on my hall. This school year alone, my room's telephone has had to have a technician visit it twice. Once it was so bad that after the regular technician worked on it for about an hour, he called in his supervisor who ended up telling him to just order a new phone. So believe me when I say that the problem between technology and me is severe!

Then there is my love of books. As I have mentioned before, I love the way books smell and feel in my hand. Love books, hate technology, so you can just imagine the strength of my desire to not have an e-reader. But then I heard my friends talking about all the different things they could read on them and how quickly they could just click on a link then wham! There was a new book right in their hands. The town where I live doesn't even have a book store, so you can probably see what a powerful attraction getting the book I want instantly would be. They also mentioned how they can get electronic copies of books that aren't available in print. I hate to miss out on anything so that made me stop and consider.

I am bringing it to you to help me decide.
  • Do you have an e-reader? If so, what is your favorite thing about owning it?
  • Do you wish you had one? Why?
  • If you have one how did you decide between the different types, especially Nook vs. Kindle?

13 comments:

  1. I have two: the iPad, and a Kindle. I prefer a book. But if I'm going to be away from home for several days, and one book won't be enough to hold me, I'll download two or three to one of the e-readers and take it instead.

    As for your electronic issues, I suspect you naturally have a lot of static electricity, which I also have, and I go through computers, coffee-makers -- anything electronic or that works off electricity -- at a staggering rate.

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    1. Maven Linda, you bring up a great point that I hadn't thought of yet about how easy it is to use the e-readers on the go!

      Sadly, I think you may be right about the static. It would certainly explain a few things. It is also a good sign for me that your e-readers both work fine for you and have for a while.

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  2. I own a Nook, though it's continually in the presence of Clair, not me :/ However, I have access to my Nook account with something like 4 or 5 different devices. So I can read a book on any computer in the house or my iPhone. But really, I only use my iPhone. It's handy and with me everywhere I go.

    Like you, I'm a touchy-feely reader...I want paper. But the closest bookstore is about 15 miles away so the instant gratification of downloading a book at my fingertips is wonderful! Also, I've found nothing more pleasurable than to wake up at 3am with no chance of going back to sleep only to remember that I have a book on my phone with its own little light that won't wake anyone up. And added bonus is that I can change the font size and not have to reach for my glasses.

    And I got a Nook because it was the only device supported by the library at the time, increasing my own reading possibilities as well as giving me a tool to train the patrons how to use e-readers. Kindle has since become compatible with library checkouts.

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    1. Lesia, you are correct that the joy of a new book at 3 am is hard to beat! Thanks for sharing that with me.

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    2. Wow, I didn't know you could even check out a library book on an e-reader! Incredible!

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  3. I have a Kindle. That's what works best for me. I understand that in terms of reading books, the plain old Kindle is better than a Kindle Fire because it has better resolution. I love that you can get a cover with a light that pops out of the corner. Good for reading in bed.

    I real perk is that, sooner or later, books are going to take over my house completely. Now I only buy books that I want to keep. If only I could get The Guy to make the transition.

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  4. I love REAL books. I love going to the *gasp* library. However, I have borrowed my wife's e-reader a time or two to read something that I could not find at the library and that I did not think would become a part of my personal permanent library. So, if it is something that I know I want in hardback on my shelves at home I prefer a real book. But if it is something that I would have previously purchased in paperback at a newsstand in the airport, I would now go the e-reader route.

    Two points to consider:
    1. I still have most of my old CDs (even a few old cassettes) that I purchased many years ago. However, music that I downloaded just a couple of years ago has been lost in the transition between new computers/devices. Will the same thing happen to my e-books?
    2. My real books don't beep at me or notify me that it is my turn to Draw Something or to remind me to take out the trash while I am trying to read.

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    1. Brad,
      I am with you on the loving real books! You also make good points about your love of hanging on to things and a real book not beeping or buzzing!

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  5. I have two I-Pads and some books downloaded on both of them It is more convenient when you are traveling than packing all those books. That said, I still love to hold a book in my hands and, like Jean, I will buy the ones I want to keep.

    I truly believe what Maven Linda said is correct. I have the same problem with electronics and electrical apparatuses. I think it is a build-up of static electricity.

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    1. Hmmm, y'all make a great point about the ease of reading on the go with an e-reader.

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  6. I recently bought an e-reader, because I began traveling a lot and I can't carry all of those favorite books with me. My device is a Kindle... it was recommended by many people and I don't regret it... I chose very well.
    Also, it's great that I've found All you can books, a site with really interesting titles and all for free.

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  7. Stephanie, I felt the same way you do. I love the feel of paper in my hand. Being artsy, I'm a tactile person. it was hard for me to get excited about ebook readers until I got a Nook. Now what appeals to me is having the ability to take any number of book choices with me wherever I go. The problem with the Nook is, I have to order from B&N only.

    This past Christmas, I got a Kindle. What I love most about the Kindle is that I can get ebooks from just about anywhere. And, most sales on ebooks (freebies and so forth) are usually only found via Amazon. I'm loving my Kindle right now and heartily recommend it over the Nook.

    Hope you take the plunge. It's definitely different than holding an actual book in your hands, but the benefits outweigh your tactile needs. ;)

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