Don't get me wrong, I do like my new K3 Kindle that cost $139.00 from Amazon, complete with wireless and the USB port. But…yes, there are 'buts,' and they're not small things, either.
First, I'm a tactical person, that is, I experience some events through touch. I hug, kiss, smooth fabric, soothe brows, pat on shoulders, love to make salads so I can touch each vegetable, and make sure I like the feel of the material of a new piece of clothing before I buy it. This sense is missing from the Kindle. I will admit, though, it has a satisfying size and weight, rather handsome, but it's a MACHINE. The leather cover is nice, though; I can rub mink oil into it, polish it up, and yes, the leather is lovely, with a nice feel.
Second, I'm a visual person. Probably more than touch or feel, I deeply appreciate the aesthetics of the beautiful and artistic: colors, shapes, arrangements, architecture, and lines. The e-reader has sorely let me down in this department. When I finished four anthologies read from my Kindle, I was practically salivating in anticipation of finally getting to read my newest paperback. Yes, that's right. I'm a TRAITOR! I love, love, love a print book--mass paperback, trade size, hardback--I absolutely adore them.
Lest you think I'm hardhearted, technologically inept, or just plain stubborn, let me assure you I will use the Kindle. I won't place it on a shelf and forget it's there. No, I have found a place in my heart for it, even though it's small. Maybe I'll grow to love it.
Perhaps its charms will one day woo me over.
But for now, I'm torn.
Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
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I just look at it as something else that has to be plugged in. I can't take it to the bath to relax and read. To me, its more an inconvenience. I'm over run with chargers, cords, and power strips. Books are my friends. I love to leave sticky notes in them where authors really touch me or use a coin of phrase that is spot on. I can't do that with an e reader.
ReplyDeleteSigh, I'm like Bones on Star Trek, good ole fashion is ok by me.
Nan
To the contrary...I love my Kindle. I never thought I would find something to replace holding a real book, but the convenience has me hooked. In fact, I received a paperback to review for Penguin, and I so wish it was an ebook so I could download and read wherever and whenever I choose in the manner to which I've become accustomed. I love the looong battery life and the beautiful artwork that displays when the machine is sleeping, and for once, I didn't feel at all technically challenged when learning how to operate it. I download PDF reads then send them via email to my Kindle address, and poof, like magic, they appear.
ReplyDeleteBut, just like everything else, some will warm up to it, others won't. I overwarmed...I sound like a Kindle Ad. *lol* Anything you can do to a real book, you can do with your Kindle...except rip a page. *smile*
Thanks for allowing me equal time to defend my Kindle. Oh, and did I mention, I love my Kindle?
Hi y'all,
ReplyDeleteCelia, I just had to answer--I got one of these for myself for christmas, and I like it so far. BUT, it will NEVER replace paperbacks. You & me, kid. LOL I know it's wonderful for traveling--which I don't do a lot of, but I will also say that the reason I bought it is because I am literally running out of room for books.I thought this might keep the peace in my marriage--a compromise for me, because I LOVE the feel of a book in my hands. I'm like you--touchy feely, and like Nancy, I leave sticky notes in my papterbacks and they are like friends to me. So I'm not entirely in love with my kindle yet, either, and may never be. But I have enjoyed playing around with it and there are some books I will now be able to get rid of. I really enjoyed this post. I thought I was the only one...
Love,
Cheryl
Celia, your blog for today and mine are similar. LOL My Kindle was a birthday gift and I use it for books I do not plan to reread. But I reread many books, so I buy those authors in print. Like Cheryl, I am running out of room for books! The Kindle will help with that problem. Never say never, right? But I will NEVER stop buying paperback (and the occasional hardback) books. They're like crack cocaine to me, and I'm not even trying to break the habit. LOL
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the Kindle and the print book each has a place and neither will replace the other.
Celia, I bought a Nook last summer and though I like reading on it, I completely get what you're saying. In fact, the main reason I bought it is because I already had a library of e-books on my PC that I'd never read, because I don't enjoy sitting at my desk reading for pleasure. I also like that I don't have boxes full of physical books to get rid of once I've finished reading. But I do still have a few boxes of books I still haven't read, plus books I'm keeping and plan to read again. But for now, I can't continue to clutter up my house with books that no one wants. I have been switching off though. I read one e-book on my Nook, then one of my paperbacks. Sort of like weaning, I guess. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'll never completely give up reading paperbacks. Just can't do it.
Hi Celia, I agree with you. I like my Sony and the fact I can carry so many books on there and get them for a lot less than print books (on a case by case basis - I will not spend $10-12 on ebooks!). I also get a lot of free reads for my ereader, which is great for sampling new-to-me authors.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it will never replace the joy of reading print books! Those I care most about I'll get in print. (And I've been clearing out old paperbacks to make room by sending them to deployed troops - not my faves, but the misc ones I've picked up).
Hm.. Google is being whacky. The above post is from me..
ReplyDeleteLoraine
Celia-- I received my Sony last Christmas. It took me quite a few months to get familiar with it. Look at it this way: we have been holding books since we were 6, a life-long relationship. You can't expect eReaders to replace printed books overnight. But now after a year of using it, I absolutely love my Sony. And I stopped buying printed books. I don't have an inch of space in my apartment for another printed book. Drawback: I still have problen downloading the ebooks to my Sony and I can't have an autor autograph it!! or hold a booksigning with ebooks!!! But Ebooks is the way to go. Half the people reading on cruises or in planes are holding ereaders. My son and son-in-law read on their blackberries.
ReplyDeleteI like to read books on my Kindle the best! I don't like to read the converted pdf.formatted books though on it. The ones that are actually for Kindle are great. I have so many paperback books so it's nice for me to have new books on my Kindle instead.
ReplyDeleteNANCY--that's a good way to look at it--just something new. Me? I like old-fashioned, too. I'm still not comfortable with a cell phone or my big HDTV that often is more trouble than it's worth! I like your outlook! Celia
ReplyDeleteGINGER--Amazon should pay you to advertise the Kindle! Yeah, you'd make a good ad. And thanks for giving me your side--that's what I like--different opinions. Actually, I'm waiting for someone to convince me this is the best thing since white bread. Celia
ReplyDeleteOhh, Cheryl! Another touchy-feely person! I knew it! I just knew you'd see my side and agree.So, no, you're not the only one. I'm trying to look upon it as something to play with--I call it a gadget. You know, like a small mixer. I use it to beat certain things, but if I can do the same thing with a whisk, I'll use that. Thanks--Celia
ReplyDeleteCAROLINE--oh, I'll have to go read your blog. Funny, huh? You've hit the problem on the head--I, too, re-read books, and I collect books. But only certain ones. I don't want to clutter up my storage space too much. You can't put an ebook on a shelf and glance at it with love in your eyes. Thanks--Celia
ReplyDeleteSusan--good points. See? I'm the same way. I have many ebooks on my PC that I never get around to reading--it's too difficult and uncomfortable. I want to curl up in a chair. I like the idea of switching off--good idea. Thanks for stopping by--Celia
ReplyDeleteAh, now, I just received an iPad for Christmas. I love it. I far prefer reading eBooks than print now. I love how I can make notes in my iPad. I know you can do that on a Kindle too. (I would never do that in a print book for fear of damaging it. LOL Yeah, I am that much of a bibliophile. g) My brother and nephews all have Kindles now.
ReplyDeleteJust a little trick for you, if you want to purchase books from other vendors than Amazon, if you already haven't, download the free program Calibre onto your computer. When you hook up your Kindle to your computer, Calibre (if open) will automatically detect the device and you can share any ebook in Calibre with the device. Calibre will also convert files into Kindle files (Mobi-file type as that really is Kindle). Just remember in conversion, you may get some glitches. The two file types that are "Kindle" are Mobi and PRC. If a distributor or publisher offers these, those are the ones you want to choose as you won't have to convert at all.
Enjoy!
LORAINE--I like that idea, that you buy the prints for those "you care about." That's an excellent point, and it covers much of my argument. Thank you--Celia
ReplyDeleteWell, okay, I'll give it a few months, then. Yes, I've been in airports lately and saw several passengers reading on their ereaders--Kindles.And I wonder what this will do to book-signings? I fear we're losing something valuable, here. Thanks for your advice--Celia
ReplyDeleteDIANE--I'm glad you like yours. For someone extremely busy like you are, I think an eReader is just the ticket. For someone like me--I love to browse around in the library and bookstores. I bet if I still had kids at home and worked, too, I'd take to an eReader faster. Celia
ReplyDeleteAnthology Authors--Thanks so much for the advice and instructions. I made notes and will definitely try that. I suspect this time next year I'll be writing about how much I love my Kindle. I appreciate your thoughts--Celia
ReplyDeleteI got a Kindle two years ago, and I love it. I still buy the occasional paperback, but for the most part, everything is on the Kindle.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can take it with you to the bathtub. Just get a really good zip-lock bag and put it in it before taking it to the tub. :-)
KEENA--reading in the tub has never been anything I do. I'm not in there long enough to read one paragraph. It seems to be a trend that readers use their reader the most, but still sucumb to the occasional paperback. Hope you're doing well! Celia
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post, Celia. I'm glad you're warming up to your Kindle and still enjoying print books.
ReplyDeleteCelia, I'm so bummed. I have a Kindle 2 and my text to speech went out and I'm past my warranty. I LOVE my Kindle because of the text to speech feature. I listen to my books on my way to work and on the way home and that's how I keep up with my reading. I might have to break down and get a Kindle 3. You can also listen to audio books on the Kindle. My audio book feature works just fine. I don't care to read PDF's on the Kindle unless it's converted.
ReplyDeleteThere are still things I'll get print books for - those special authors who I enjoy their books, but I do enjoy my Kindle. I think the more you hang out with it, the more you'll work up to it.
Smiles
Steph
Oh - I just want to ditto what Anthology Authors said about using Calibre. I use it for conversations and for Kindle and I love it!
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Steph
STEPH--well, I'm learning, but it's a slow process. It seems like you were born with knowing how to do every little technical thing. I do admire you. But you're a young thing, yet, with a quick brain. Mine...is...slowing....down...Celia
ReplyDeleteCelia, I think I'll probably have a similar experience. I'm not itching to have an e-reader and I don't quite understand, as I love electronic technology. I guess I love books, too, though. And after the experience of laying out/typesetting my first novel and subsequently seeing it printed on beautiful, cream-colored paper -- and then "typesetting" it again in soulless html for the Kindle, well, let's just say there's still quite a gulf between the two. I know I'll eventually knuckle under and get an e-reader, probably a Kindle. But I'll put it off a while longer yet.
ReplyDeleteCONNIE--I do understand. I love my computer, but I don't sit and hold it. When I read, I want to hold something in my hand, and I really do prefer a print. The Kindle will have its place, but I can't close it and gaze at the colorful lovely cover, or flip the pages, or thumb back for a certain page--at least easily.All this will level out one day and we'll see who won. Thanks for your comment--Celia
ReplyDeleteNot for me! No way, no how!! I am a PRINT girl, born that way and will die that way.
ReplyDeleteI've said it once and I'll say it again... what good will a Kindle, or any eReader be in 10, 20, or 100 years from now? Archeology learns from history from all the PRINT items they uncover from parchment, pottery, etc. If, 500 years from now, they dig up one of these machines, it won't work! Our whole culture will disappear because nothing tangible will be left behind!
Hmm, maybe that's a good idea for a futuristic book, huh? LOL
Just call me "unwilling to go with the flow". :)
Celia,
ReplyDeleteI feel much the same way you do, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the benefit of font size. I received a Nook for Christmas from my hubby, and the absolute best thing about any eReader is adjusting the font to a readable size. It beats paperbacks, which are a huge strain on the eyes.
MISS MAE--I like your attitude! I've hesitated saying this, but I see eBooks as "disposable books." Sure they're out there somewhere floating around in internet space, but I can't see them, can't save them.
ReplyDeleteSomeone said the ereader is only another form of reading--prints won't go away in our lifetime, but who knows? I get your point and totally agree. Celia
SANDY--yes, I've notice some paperbacka have such light print, I have a hard time reading it.And these tired old eyes need all the help they can get. Thanks for stopping by--Celia
ReplyDeleteHi Celia, I'm the same as you, I bought the Kindle for myself for Christmas and I must say it will not replace the love of books for me, I love the feel of a real book in my hands.
ReplyDeleteBut I do love the Kindle for it's practicality so I can use it everywhere for it's light weight and easyness of readability.
I have to wear glasses and sometimes I have a hard time to read some prints, so with the Kindle I can make the fonts bigger.
But I totally understand you.
great blog and I'm your newest follower, why don't oyu come over to my book blog also,
Book Eternity.
Nathalie
NATHALIE--thanks for visiting. I checked out your blog--wow! You're a busy girl.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us accept the eReaders as another way of reading, sort of like when the microwave came out. These were touted as replacing a big over. There were uproars! Now, we're comfortable with our microwave and our stove. There's a need for both.
Celia
Celia, I've just read all the comments to your blog and can certainly see both sides of the issue. Like you, I came reluctantly to be an owner of a Kindle just last month. I have found that I like to turn it sideways and read the books with larger print. Only problem that makes me have to click pages at my waist instead of at the side like a real book. And you know what, I have found myself attempting to turn a page more than once. Old habits die hard. My Kindle is an addition to my print books but it will never replace them. Linda
ReplyDeleteLINDA--you know what? I was trying to explain to my husband that when it was time to turn a page on my Kindle, my hand went to the top right corner to "turn the page." Isn't that weird? Our brains are so programmed.
ReplyDeleteI tried it sideways, too, and like it just as much. Probably, I'll use it more turned the upright way--that button at your waist thing.
I can see both sides, too--Good reading! Celia
Celia, thank you so much for mentioning HOT ON HER HEELS. I love color, too. There are ereaders with color, but they wouldn't give you the tactile sensation you're looking for... unless, of course, you grow to love the tactile sensation of the smooth, metal ereader. ;)
ReplyDeleteSusan
SusanMallery.com
Eeek! Susan Mallery! I'm starstruck! Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I loved the Titan sisters series--halfway through Hot on Her Heels, and can't wait to see Dana and Garth really get together. Love your books. Celia
ReplyDelete