tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post6251602774577829838..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: EBooks and Traditional BooksBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60417365525511364772015-10-28T21:57:01.561-04:002015-10-28T21:57:01.561-04:00Hi Caroline - I know a few folks who have been ver...Hi Caroline - I know a few folks who have been very negative about Ebooks who felt that they were forced to read a few. <br /><br />I do understand that as sometimes the connivance wins out. <br /><br />Considering what sounds like arrogance in the person whom you describe, that is a funny story.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-80185107743147359332015-10-28T11:58:36.496-04:002015-10-28T11:58:36.496-04:00I will tell you a funny story. There's a blogg...I will tell you a funny story. There's a blogger out there - lets not name the person- who's very hostile when it comes to ebooks, Almost saying how he/she is a better person for it. The person also said that an ereader would NEVER enter the appartment. A while back that person reviewed a book and because I liked the sound of it I went to look for it and funny enough -it's only available as an ebook. I tehn realized that it wasn't the first ebook reviewed. It's a story that says a lot. <br />I still prefer literature in paper. Not sure why. But I love nonfiction ebooks for the same reasosn you mention. Highlighting etc. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28844303238082893762015-10-22T20:29:28.644-04:002015-10-22T20:29:28.644-04:00Thanks Stephanie.
There is something about being ...Thanks Stephanie.<br /><br />There is something about being able to flip back and forth with a traditional book. With that said, I find the ability to search for particular words that one can do in an Ebook more valuable.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16429127151992399802015-10-22T20:26:03.085-04:002015-10-22T20:26:03.085-04:00Hi Harvee - Though by no means Universal, you seem...Hi Harvee - Though by no means Universal, you seem to be in the majority. That is, you read both Ebooks and traditional books but you seem to prefer traditional books.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29973496745417259432015-10-21T11:02:49.503-04:002015-10-21T11:02:49.503-04:00A very nicely reasoned argument! I like both print...A very nicely reasoned argument! I like both print and digital books. While I love a high quality print book, I am not attached to the physical form per se. I do, however find that there are some books that I read better in print than in digital form, namely complexly structured books that I want to flip back and forth in. E-readers do not easily facilitate this flipping. Your "just in time" book purchasing though is really fantastic. No more huge TBR piles! Stefaniehttp://somanybooksblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-78892271636911917582015-10-21T07:35:53.477-04:002015-10-21T07:35:53.477-04:00I had no trouble reading a long literary novel on ...I had no trouble reading a long literary novel on my ereader, but so-so books don't give me the incentive to read on the Kindle. I'm old fashioned in that I like having a physical book in my hands, especially light novels, but I appreciate having an ereader too for convenience.<br /><br />Overall, I agree - the content is more important than the cover or lack of one.Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-56001447016330611312015-10-20T20:28:07.474-04:002015-10-20T20:28:07.474-04:00Hi Delia- It seems that while not alone, I ma in ...Hi Delia- It seems that while not alone, I ma in the minority when it comes to my partiality to Ebooks.<br /><br />That book that I pictured above had unusually small font. I generally have two pairs of glasses floating around the house. My newest pair and my 2nd to newest pair which I use as backup. The older glasses, are usually fine for everything else, were just not strong enough.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-22810048381074812492015-10-20T09:19:45.710-04:002015-10-20T09:19:45.710-04:00I guess I'm still adjusting to life with a Kin...I guess I'm still adjusting to life with a Kindle. I admit it's very handy, especially when publishers and authors send me books for review, but I don't deny I'd rather have the paper version. The only thing that puts me off from reading a paperback is a tiny font - how I hate those books, it's torture for my eyes, even with glasses - and even an ugly cover can sometimes hide an interesting book. <br />My friends with Kindles still prefer their books the old-fashioned way. <br /><br />You do have a point that content is the important thing here and I understand that but for me reading is the whole package - I remember being fascinated by a book with uneven cut pages, it was a copy of Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane". I love that book completely.<br />That being said, it's nice to have as many options for reading books as possible.Delia (Postcards from Asia)http://wrongspelling.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-63299320928541106522015-10-19T15:11:21.993-04:002015-10-19T15:11:21.993-04:00Hi Richard - Now that i am thinking about it, pape...Hi Richard - Now that i am thinking about it, paperbacks are more comfortable to read then hardcovers. However, when it comes to collecting, hard covers win hands down for me.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-79257413540105099922015-10-19T12:24:15.087-04:002015-10-19T12:24:15.087-04:00There are definitely pros and cons to both formats...There are definitely pros and cons to both formats, but I still prefer print to e-books in most cases as well as paperbacks to hardbacks (I actually prefer the tennis shoe-like texture and flexibility of the paperback to the fuddy duddy dress shoe feel of rigid hard cover bindings). I do buy e-books if the saving is significant--as it often is in foreign language editions--or if I want to start reading a book instantly (usually not a compelling reason given all my reading choices).Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-83172684438202545972015-10-19T05:41:57.943-04:002015-10-19T05:41:57.943-04:00Hi Gary - Indeed Ebooks can never replace the aest...Hi Gary - Indeed Ebooks can never replace the aesthetics of traditional books.<br /><br /><br />When I refereed to just in Time I was just talking about my book buying, In stead of purchasing book that sit around for months, years or forever before I read them, I download a book just before I am ready to read it.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16751534093361967992015-10-19T05:38:48.983-04:002015-10-19T05:38:48.983-04:00Hi Naida - I was hesitant to switch over to Ebooks...Hi Naida - I was hesitant to switch over to Ebooks myself. Obviously I also am converted.<br /><br />I had heard about Joyland. I know that i am sending a mixed message, but I think what King did was great.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6263712425771181722015-10-19T01:53:12.122-04:002015-10-19T01:53:12.122-04:00Hi Brian, although I own a Kindle plus various app...Hi Brian, although I own a Kindle plus various apps on my phone & tablet there is something special about the smell of a book whether it's new & fresh or old & a bit musty. Despite that if the contents well written & engaging you don't notice the format.<br />Ps the just in time system is that some kind of app I can use to limit my book buying ; -)@parridhlanternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793548943992250238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-76167837925224846112015-10-18T20:45:23.445-04:002015-10-18T20:45:23.445-04:00Interesting post Brian. When e-books began to surf...Interesting post Brian. When e-books began to surface, I refused to get an e-reader. I did not want e-books to replace printed copies.<br /><br />I held out for years until hubby bought me a Nook for Christmas. I have to tell you, I have my own little library at home, to the point where there is literally no more room on my shelves, so my Nook is a gem. I am a converted e-book reader, especially for really long books. Like you mention, e-books are great too because you can highlight and look up passages easily. The technology is awesome that way.<br /><br />However, a good quality hardcover is a wonderful thing to have and collect. I don't like to buy small paperbacks anymore, but I do still buy trade paperbacks. <br /><br />On kind of a different note, when Stephen King published his crime novel Joyland, he released it as a printed copy only at first because he wanted readers to have the experience of going to the store/library and picking up a real book to read.<br /><br />Thanks for the thought provoking post and enjoy your Sunday!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-33671857786797677372015-10-18T20:03:38.880-04:002015-10-18T20:03:38.880-04:00By the way Maria, I love the idea of hugging books...By the way Maria, I love the idea of hugging books. Some of them are worth a hug :)Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-27483188726946078062015-10-18T20:02:42.818-04:002015-10-18T20:02:42.818-04:00Hi CJ - Since I posted this I have been talking to...Hi CJ - Since I posted this I have been talking to a lot of people about Ebooks. Ironically it seems that young folks may be the most resistant to them or are at last reading a lot of printed books. Time will tell.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-17940608881690346712015-10-18T19:12:46.161-04:002015-10-18T19:12:46.161-04:00Great topic for discussion Brian! If the market is...Great topic for discussion Brian! If the market is all about demand, I think the next generation of readers will influence to what degree paper books are available. My kids currently read print books, but I noticed the school and other parents are encouraging children to read and listen to books using technology. It's possible children will grow-up without the nostalgia we all feel for printed books and prefer as adults to continue using technology to read, and the market will respond accordingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-31947042950087003492015-10-18T11:34:39.852-04:002015-10-18T11:34:39.852-04:00Yes, I guess we do need a happy balance between th...Yes, I guess we do need a happy balance between the two formats. Some time ago, I read somewhere on the Internet that, when movies were invented, the theater did not become obsolete. It was just an alternative form of entertainment. There are pluses to live theater performances, as well as limitations. As for movies, special effects make it possible for film goers to see things you can't see in a live theater performance. The limitation here is the loss of that live ambience. But, of course, each of these art forms can be enjoyed in its own right. I think it can be that way with printed books and e-books. And, as you say, some people will naturally prefer one or the other.<br /><br />BTW, I own several printed editions of The Twilight Saga. As for the first book, "Twilight", I also have the digital edition on my cell phone. Why? I feel comforted by having it with me at all times, to dip into if I should happen to feel down, and don't have access to any of my printed editions.....go figure! Lol.<br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-71451415681512785002015-10-17T20:27:28.093-04:002015-10-17T20:27:28.093-04:00Hi Maria - I was thinking of you when I wrote this...Hi Maria - I was thinking of you when I wrote this post :)<br /><br />I really appreciate your enthusiasm for the printed book. If we all just had the money and the space to collect all that we wanted to. <br /><br />You raise a really good point about coloring books. In general I also think that EReaders do not done a good job rendering books with a lot of illustrations. <br /><br /><br />Hopefully the future will find some kind of happy balance where both types of books can coexist.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-85980989428753933052015-10-17T19:16:41.612-04:002015-10-17T19:16:41.612-04:00Excellent, very interesting post, Brian!
You mak...Excellent, very interesting post, Brian! <br /><br />You make some great points regarding e-books. As you know, I'm a passionate, die-hard bibliophile, and love printed books so much, I have sometimes been known to actually hug a particularly beloved book, just as if it were a person. I guess I think that I'm somehow hugging the author vicariously.....lol.<br /><br />Until very recently, the very mention of e-books made me see red. I literally could NOT stand the very idea of having a book reduced to just being a digital file, as Violet puts it. In fact, I very much agree with her statements. I felt so strongly about this issue, I would even avoid book blogs that featured e-books in any way whatsoever.<br /><br />I still don't like e-books. In fact, I barely tolerate them. There's just something SO special about printed books.... To me, a book is, indeed, a total package. It's not just the information inside, but the outside packaging, as well. I guess I wouldn't mind too much if mass-market paperbacks disappeared altogether. Trade paperbacks, which are of higher quality, are another matter entirely. They even feel better in my hands. I can open them more easily, too. <br /><br />Of course hardcovers are the very best! I ADORE hardcovers!! <br /><br />But anyway....since I no longer have as much space for books now, and am also a bit short on cash, I have been forced -- FORCED, mind you -- to resort to e-books in order to feed my book habit. I have acquired many of these either free or very cheap, on Amazon. And I can access them through my Android phone. And I would honestly prefer to be able to acquire them all as physical books! <br />One strike against e-books is that they're not always inexpensive or free. I've seen e-books that cost just as much, or nearly as much, as the hardcover version of the same book. I'm sorry, but I totally REFUSE to pay $11.99 to simply download a digital file. For that amount of money, I had BETTER get something substantial to hold in my hands!<br /><br />BTW, there's one type of printed book that can NEVER be turned into an e-book, and that's the good ol' coloring book. NOTHING beats the pleasure of coloring by hand!<br /><br />You know, I'm the same way with music and DVDs. I don't like downloading MP3's, or movies. I want the whole enchilada, especially if a CD or DVD is a collector's item. <br /><br />Oh, and before I forget -- I LOVE your printed history book with all the post-it notes!! YAY for that!! I, too, hate to damage any book by writing in it. And I would, of course, prefer to use post-it notes to making notes in a Kindle.<br /><br />I'm glad you feel comfortable and happy with either e-books or printed books. To each their own, as the saying goes! But for me, e-books are no more than an uncomfortably necessary "evil", if you will. I will NEVER, EVER love them as much as I do printed books!<br /><br />With that said, I am stepping off my little soapbox. Lol.<br /><br />Hope you and your wife are having a GREAT weekend!! : )<br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-79438878429734195652015-10-17T00:29:50.709-04:002015-10-17T00:29:50.709-04:00Hi Vicki - Thank you for stopping by,
You apprec...Hi Vicki - Thank you for stopping by, <br /><br />You appreciate the aesthetics of traditional books in ways that many others do. Personally I do not quite appreciate it so much. <br /><br />The utility of E - readers for me, ends up winning in the end.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-75200299448454078272015-10-17T00:19:20.178-04:002015-10-17T00:19:20.178-04:00Hi RT - Thanks for letting me know. I will update ...Hi RT - Thanks for letting me know. I will update your new site in my blog reader.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-36670125388536396462015-10-16T23:36:53.114-04:002015-10-16T23:36:53.114-04:00Hi Hila - The E - readers and distraction issue ca...Hi Hila - The E - readers and distraction issue can be big negative.<br /><br />I also love non chain bookstores, These are few and far between these days. I also miss them a lot.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-66911743990649442752015-10-16T23:33:21.566-04:002015-10-16T23:33:21.566-04:00Hi Vickie - You appreciate the aesthetics of tradi...Hi Vickie - You appreciate the aesthetics of traditional books in ways that many others do. Personally I do not quite appreciate it so much. <br /><br />The utility of E - readers for me, ends up winning in the end.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-71382802479470435112015-10-16T15:51:47.972-04:002015-10-16T15:51:47.972-04:00I've found that the two can complement each ot...I've found that the two can complement each other. I'm still more attached to non-digital books (and I love the atmosphere of smaller bookstores and are sad at their increased disappearance), but it's convenient to have a Kindle in many situations, including traveling. So I use both. <br /><br />One commenter brought up attention span and retention with e-readers… this is interesting. I have problems reading longer pieces on a laptop, because I get distracted too easily. But I can usually concentrate pretty well on Kindle.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.com