The Reading Revolution

[Keroin]

Since I have a lot at stake in how the publishing market is evolving, I'm curious to hear what's happening in the trenches.

The first big change was the launch of e-readers such as Kindle, Nook, etc. I have to admit I was skeptical (I adore the feel of a real book in my hand) but they seem to be catching on. And as someone who travels frequently, an e-reader just makes too much sense.

The next change was e-publishing. Through sites such as Barnes and Noble's PubIt! anyone could publish their own e-book. (Though I had a looksee and most of them are pretty terrible, IMO).

Now, Amazon is stepping into the publishing game and basically "cutting out the middle man". That is to say, no agents, no publishing houses needed. I think this is a good change; traditional publishing is a dinosaur.

So I'm curious about your reading habits. If you have an e-reader, how do you like it? Do you purchase mostly e-books or mostly paper books? Do you like to read only established authors or will you read anything as long as the story sounds good?

And if you're a writer, what route do you plan to take - traditional or self-publishing (e-publishing or hard copy?) ?

 

[HottieMama]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE paper books and will never stop buying them. There is something comforting to me about the weight of a book in my hand, and the feel of paper under my fingers. My ex bought me an e-reader for Xmas last year, and I promptly returned it. I just don't feel that I have the need for it. I will read just about anything, but prefer biographies and autobiographies.

 

[cfuhrer]

I don't see myself ever reading anything but paper books. In fact I have been known to print off Lit stories rather than read them on the screen.

When I edit, I edit on paper; I have to be able to flip back and forth with my red pen.

Now, here's the odd part. I'm writing a book for a very niche market and it will most likely be e-published simply because its the most cost effective way to "professionally" distribute it. Currently books of this sort, unless published by the national association, are sent out in three ring binders.

I can't read fiction anymore, one year of law school ruined pleasure reading for me. Now its leadership, entrepreneurship and business, or various how to's related to animal husbandry, homesteading and what not.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

I love paper books and I will never give them up. However, my ebook is good for travelling and good for storing a bunch of books that I don't mind having electronically. Not to say I wouldn't prefer those books in paper, but I'm a college student and move around a lot. getting rid of a couple boxes of books was a GODSEND for moving.

 

[Keroin]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE paper books and will never stop buying them. There is something comforting to me about the weight of a book in my hand, and the feel of paper under my fingers. My ex bought me an e-reader for Xmas last year, and I promptly returned it. I just don't feel that I have the need for it. I will read just about anything, but prefer biographies and autobiographies.

I'm curious how you feel about paper books from an environmental standpoint?

I also love paper books. As others have said, there's something about the "feel" of a paper book in your hand that the e-readers can't replicate. However, I'm a treehugger so anything that cuts down on consumption of trees is OK in my book (pun most definitely intended).

I don't see myself ever reading anything but paper books. In fact I have been known to print off Lit stories rather than read them on the screen.

When I edit, I edit on paper; I have to be able to flip back and forth with my red pen.

Now, here's the odd part. I'm writing a book for a very niche market and it will most likely be e-published simply because its the most cost effective way to "professionally" distribute it. Currently books of this sort, unless published by the national association, are sent out in three ring binders.

I can't read fiction anymore, one year of law school ruined pleasure reading for me. Now its leadership, entrepreneurship and business, or various how to's related to animal husbandry, homesteading and what not.

I know how you feel about pleasure reading. My time at uni killed my love for reading and writing, but thankfully it was a temporary death. I'm now happily engaged in both again, with more enthusiasm than ever.

And your point about editing is a good one. When I critique or edit, I always print out the piece I'm working on. I may go back and do my notes on the laptop, but I "see" the work differently when it's on paper. Not sure why.

I love paper books and I will never give them up. However, my ebook is good for travelling and good for storing a bunch of books that I don't mind having electronically. Not to say I wouldn't prefer those books in paper, but I'm a college student and move around a lot. getting rid of a couple boxes of books was a GODSEND for moving.

Moving, yes, another good reason for e-books. I used to have...sigh...a rather extensive library. It has shrunk over years of packing and carting and unpacking, putting things in storage, etc. I have very few works of fiction left on my, (very small), bookshelf. If I could have had an e-reader and kept them all? Joy!


I really didn't think I would like e-readers but the ones I've seen and played around with a bit are actually quite impressive. They do a fair enough job simulating the book experience, as well. My friend M, who was a diehard paper book fan, has now switched to an e-reader and says he'll never go back. He likes that you can set the size of the font, and he says the way it's laid out actually enables him to read faster. Easier on they eyes, says he.

 

[wicked woman]

I read both on my Kobo and in paper. I agree with those that love the feel of a bookin their hands. I bought mu Kobo when I was moving to a place with floor to ceiling windows on the outside walls which drastically reduced the number of book shelves that I could have. I had to do a major purge of my books. So the initial reason for the Kobo was my lack of storage for physical books on paper. I also like it because I mostly read when I'm on the go so it's smaller than a hardcover or large paperback and fits in my purse better. It's also lighter for a veg out by the pool/ocean and read vacation. I think it will also be useful as I age because of the feature that let's you magnify the page, making it easier to read.
Also the ebooks are cheaper than paper books. Not as cheap as they should be, but still.


There are also some books that I would never by as an ebook. Maybe it's just because I've got an older model but if I've got a book that I'm not reading from cover to cover or need to refer to as a resource, I can't easily find or get to the page I want. Some chapters are 100 pages an I have to click through them one by one. With a book I just open it to any page that I want.

So I like both for different reasons.

 

[IrisAlthea]

I voted don't own, don't want but that's not entirely true. I think e-books might work well on trips and for the books I read quickly never to return to. Right now, it's not high on my list of things to buy though.

 

[RjThoughts]

I own an e-reader. It's a necessity, since I'm a voracious reader! Have been since the age of 4, yes I was reading BEFORE Kindergarten. If not for my "Nookie Thingie" - Better Half's words - my house would be filled with at least 100 more hardcovers and paperbacks.

I do, however, purchase paperbacks. I do NOT bring the e-reader with me when I'm on the beach: Have had far too many problems with my smart phone near the sand and surf.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

I do, however, purchase paperbacks. I do NOT bring the e-reader with me when I'm on the beach: Have had far too many problems with my smart phone near the sand and surf.

That is a good plan and one of the limitations to e-readers. They are amazing for travel, but they do have all the usual "electronics weaknesses".

Still, they're pretty damned handy when you don't have to worry about those!

 

[BiBunny]

Screw paper books. They're heavy, they're expensive, they're easily torn up, and I lose the damn things all the time.

I've had my Kindle for nearly a year. My mother gave it to me for Christmas. I could not be happier with it. I have a thing for the Victorian era, so most of the e-books I buy are either free or less than $2 apiece because of how old they are.

New e-books are nearly the same price as paper books, so I can see the objection if you're one of those people who loves to buy books as soon as they come out. But for me? Why would I pay more for a public domain book that I just have to lug around and will probably either tear up, lose, or both?

I'm kind of an asshole about this because my former roommate used to pull the "I'll NEVER give up paper books, and people like YOU are the reason for the downfall of print media."

Ugh.

FYI, I *do* read print books, but I don't *buy* them.

 

[Keroin]

I'm kind of an asshole about this because my former roommate used to pull the "I'll NEVER give up paper books, and people like YOU are the reason for the downfall of print media."

I was something like this (in bold) back when e-readers started coming out. I couldn't believe that anyone would "defile" the reading experience by using an electronic device. L said I was crazy, that it was only a matter of time before everyone was using e-readers.

Yeah...I've rethought my position. I hate it when he's right.

 

[TarevaChine]

I do have an e-reader, but basically only use it when I am traveling.

I do a lot of reading while riding my elliptical and I must have a "real" book in my hands for that. I agree with others, there is nothing like the feel of a book in my hands.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

I'm curious how you feel about paper books from an environmental standpoint? ... However, I'm a treehugger so anything that cuts down on consumption of trees is OK in my book (pun most definitely intended).

BTW, as a side note, you are aware that most tree-products comes from purpose-grown trees these days, right? At least here in the US?

Omigoodness you should have seen the lumber fields we drove through in South Africa. They were amazing. The biggest trees I've ever seen!!

Of course, they do have to turn that land into lumber fields...but once it's been done, it can't really be UNdone, either.

I mean, I try to minimize my paper consumption regardless. I'm just saying that not all books come from actual forests either.

 

[Keroin]

BTW, as a side note, you are aware that most tree-products comes from purpose-grown trees these days, right? At least here in the US?

Omigoodness you should have seen the lumber fields we drove through in South Africa. They were amazing. The biggest trees I've ever seen!!

Of course, they do have to turn that land into lumber fields...but once it's been done, it can't really be UNdone, either.

I mean, I try to minimize my paper consumption regardless. I'm just saying that not all books come from actual forests either.

Well,as someone who lives in a well-logged province, I can tell you that plenty of tree products still come from forests. And a goodly chunk of our logged forests go where? You guessed it, to the U.S.

 

[midwestyankee]

Well,as someone who lives in a well-logged province, I can tell you that plenty of tree products still come from forests. And a goodly chunk of our logged forests go where? You guessed it, to the U.S.

Yes, but you sell those trees so politely!

I have not yet succumbed to the siren song of the Kindle or her sultry sisters though I suppose I will at some point. After all, the string on my tin-can phone system broke earlier this year and as no one made replacement string for it any longer, I had to buy a cell phone. Change comes, even to reluctant yanks.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

My iPad and I have an intimate relationship that is built on my love for its sensuous curves and zippy wonderfulness.

Besides opening wine bottles, predicting the hog belly futures, getting out tough carpet stains and amplifying my dreams, it's an eReader. Besides iBooks, I have the BlueFire app, the Nook app and the Kindle app, and I use all of them.

I still like paper books. But when I go out of town now, I can take dozens of books with me in my slim metal 'n' glass beauty, and it's all there.

The downside is, I miss the tactile nature of paper; when you have a paper book in your hand, your brain knows subconsciously from the heft and paper between your fingers, how much you've read, and how much is left. Not so much on an eDevice. That's a sense of accomplishment in a way - like seeing an empty plate after a meal. Yep. I ate that!

In addition to the ability to carry a giant pile of books into the woods or on a plane, I like the green advantages. Hmmmm...What else? I appreciate that, when I "check out" eBooks from the local library, they automatically return, instead of lying around in my car, staring at me scornfully and racking up fines.

Some interesting things are being published only or largely to a digital format; I'm reading Daniel Goleman's new book, The Brain and Emotional Intelligence: New Findings (Which I LOVE, btw: it's the QuickStart Guide to Your Brain that you never got, and highly readable and helpful for figuring out why you got SO FUCKING MAD AND DISTURBED about BloppyBlopBlop – answer: blame your ancient reptile amygdyla, and tell it to stand down), which is mostly an eBook.

ePublishing is accelerating like Chris Christie at the door of an all-you-can-eat buffet, so it ain't going away.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Well,as someone who lives in a well-logged province, I can tell you that plenty of tree products still come from forests. And a goodly chunk of our logged forests go where? You guessed it, to the U.S.

hmm apparently I have been misinformed. *puts on detective hat and monocle and puffs a bubble pipe* i must investigate.

 

[intothewoods]

I was indifferent to the whole thing for a long time, but I do now prefer my e-reader. I'll still get the occasional cheapie used book, but otherwise I really prefer reading books on my kindle. It's lightweight and very user-friendly. I actually don't fetishize the tactile experience of reading books and all that, but I do love living with books.

 

[midwestyankee]

hmm apparently I have been misinformed. *puts on detective hat and monocle and puffs a bubble pipe* i must investigate.

It's not so bad being misinformed. You're in good company.

 

[BiBunny]

I was something like this (in bold) back when e-readers started coming out. I couldn't believe that anyone would "defile" the reading experience by using an electronic device. L said I was crazy, that it was only a matter of time before everyone was using e-readers.

Yeah...I've rethought my position. I hate it when he's right.

LOL!

 

[FurryFury]

I don't have any e reader. Don't want one. However my girl who LOVES new electronic gadgets has one. My guess is when she buys something even more expensive, she'll pass it down to her family. I will try it then. I seriously doubt I'll like it.

Years ago I noticed I had too many books at the house. Since then I've saved a lot of money, heaps and heaps, by getting most of my reads from the library.

I'm a paper girl. I LOVE real books and I can not lie.

FF

 

[YourCaptor]

Don't have one, most of the stuff I read don't come in e anyway.

 

[redreed79]

Love, love, love my library on my iPad. But snuggling up in a warm and toasty bed just feels better with a paper book in my hands. It's a lot easier to fall asleep with a small paper book vs. the hard, breakable ereader.

 

[Keroin]

Yes, but you sell those trees so politely!

Thank you, sorry, you're welcome, have a nice day!

Change comes, even to reluctant yanks.

You're not driving a horseless carriage now are you Yanks??

I appreciate that, when I "check out" eBooks from the local library, they automatically return, instead of lying around in my car, staring at me scornfully and racking up fines.

Oh yes, this. I am a notorious late returner.

*hides from angry librarians*

This is part of the reason I subscribe to Netflix. Late fines...yikes.

hmm apparently I have been misinformed. *puts on detective hat and monocle and puffs a bubble pipe* i must investigate.

Don't feel bad. Because I live in a forestry province, am a tree hugger, and work with lumber (ah the irony - but we get 90% of our wood from a sustainable community forest), I know a wee bit more than the average Joe. But I can assure you that forests are being mowed down on a regular basis for all sorts of tree products, there are still pulp mills pulping away and stinking up entire cities.

Ten minutes from my house, I can show you swathes of clearcut blocks. And because these are now second and third growth forests, the trees are what we call "pecker poles"...aka very small. And there's much more. I really could go on and on about this subject, but I won't .

I actually don't fetishize the tactile experience of reading books and all that, but I do love living with books.

Do you mean aesthetically or...?

I'm a paper girl. I LOVE real books and I can not lie.

FF

Ditto. But I can see myself converting very soon. And yes, I get most of my books from the library as well. They also now have books on MP3, which is awesome for traveling!

Don't have one, most of the stuff I read don't come in e anyway.

It will soon, YC.

Love, love, love my library on my iPad. But snuggling up in a warm and toasty bed just feels better with a paper book in my hands. It's a lot easier to fall asleep with a small paper book vs. the hard, breakable ereader.

Are they breakable? I would imagine they would have to be pretty durable.

 

[FurryFury]

If I traveled a great deal I can see an e book device making sense.

If I get to travel that much I might, just might, consider it.

FF