I should have known this was going to happen, somehow in the midst of my cleaning I misplaced a library book. I have no clue where it could be, I searched all of my bookshelves, still nothing!
I remember having the book, I’m betting I set it down because I got distracted by something else. I eventually know I’ll stumble upon it, and I’m betting it will be in an odd place. The thing is, I don’t lose things often, so this is really driving me nuts, bah! Gaah!!!
Ebook readers are something I’ve been considering for several months. If I lost that then I’d be in trouble, but I haven’t lost an eletronic device yet.
If you asked me, a few years ago would I purchase an Ebook reader. The answer would have been NO! I want to hold a physical copy of a book in my hands, dang it! However, since I’ve been focusing on minimizing the amount of things I do have I’ve been giving it some serious thought. It simply makes sense. Will I miss my physical books? Yes, but I think I’ll get over it. Β When I think of it, I already do a lot of reading on my MacBook Pro, for my clients and on personal time too. So what’s the big deal if I’m reading a book using an electronic device? Hmmm….
An added bonus is that I can also borrow Ebooks from the library. Even the library where I borrow my books, Baltimore County Public Library is offering this feature. How cool is that? Instead of having to physically go to the library I can download the book from my libraries website. When the book is due, it expires off my device.
Amazon’s Kindle
I’m thinking I’ll purchase an Ebook reader near (or perhaps a little after the Christmas season.) I’ve tried Amazon’s Kindle. I played with it for a few weeks, and even wrote a review about it on a technology website.ο»ΏΒ Although it did everything it was supposed to do (you know serve as an ebook) I wished it did more. Also, I didn’t like how it looked. Yeah… silly (I know) but there you have it.
Apple’s iPad
I have been looking at the Apple iPad. With the iPad, I’ll be able to read any ebook available. I do like its looks, and more importantly, I can do more with it too. My daughter is involved in a lot of after-school activities. Mommy is there with her, usually with a book or my MacBook Pro (if I’m working on an urgent project for a client) in tow. It’s definitely not a “ohh shiny” purchase since there are numerous flashy things I do without. When I finally do make the purchase you won’t hear me complaining that the iPad doesn’t work just like a book.
Question: What do you think about the Ebook readers?
Wow, enjoy the IPad! That would be very sweet! I still prefer reading a printed book. There will probably come a day when I’ll be searching the world for a printed book! LOL
Oh, I forgot to say that I was visiting from SITS Saturday Sharefest!
Hiya @Cheryl D., Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I enjoy the printed book too but… I’m trying to ease up on the physical books I have. If I keep getting them, I’ll need to purchase a little house for them, lol. An ebook reader is a great option since I can still get the books I love, without taking up so much space. I don’t even want to talk about the amount of bookshelves I have. π
Oh I love SITS; I discovered it about a week ago. I’ll be popping by your blog right now…
I want an iPad! I’ve played with a few and I think they’re great. Even though a lot of people say they’re just an oversized iPod touch I think it’s the perfect size for things like the iBook feature, which is mostly what I’d use it for. I’m not a Kindle fan because you still have to pay a ton and it doesn’t do much. And I couldn’t believe about the lawsuit over it not being like a real book… um, duh? You purchased an electronic, do you normally pay $400+ for a book?
Heya @Amber Garner, I still haven’t upgraded to an iPod touch, I’m still rocking the iPod Nano. I’m fairly loyal and will hold onto a good product until it kicks the bucket. I use that in my workouts, it’s even tough enough to brave the dry sauna. It gets to over 180F in there. π As I told Waist Whittler, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking (yeah I just dated myself with that term.)
Good point about the Kindle, when I tried it about two years ago, you still had to pay extra, not sure if they’ve changed that, and you weren’t able to view all readers. From what I’ve been reading over the past few weeks that hasn’t changed, so as enticing as the low price is, I won’t be purchasing it.
I’ve got an iPod Touch and it’s a little small to be a reader, but I can’t see myself getting anything bigger until that bites the dust. Once it does I think I’ll get myself an iPad.
Hello @Sire! Thanks for stopping by my virtual home. I enjoyed popping by your place this morning. You have a wonderful community and you make your guests feel welcome. I’ll be back. π
I was really tempted to get the iPod touch, but I held off since I knew I wouldn’t use it. I’ve seen a few people mention that they do read on their iPod Touch, and I guess I’d do that too if I had one. I purchased an Ipod for my father a few years ago, and he does read on the small screen. That would drive me batty, however, the iPad does seem like the perfect size. π I still love my hard copy books but I do need to embrace some of the new technology, especially when I look at it from a practical viewpoint. π
@Moondancer, Yeah, there is nothing better than real books. I have a bookshelf full, mainly of Science fiction and fantasy, and I’ve read them all more than once.
@Sire, Oh I love Sci-Fi and Fantasy too, and like yourself have read them more than once also. It’s hard for me to part with my books.
I don’t have anything flash for the reading of ebooks. I buy them and read them on my PC.
I can see the sense of a reader because it is lovely curling up in bed with a book. A lap top just doesn’t do it but a reader is smaller and more book like.
But Opal, I am mostly looking forward to having time again to read in bed π
Hi @Megan from Australia,
I’m trying to ease into reading by reading books on my MacBook Pro, it’s definitely different from reading the physical book. π I do a lot of my reading in bed, a perfect way to end your day, you know? That’s why something smaller than a 17″ computer is so appealing! π
Ahh.. Finding the time to read, it can be so hard working in that all important reading for the sake of reading, into our schedules. π
Told ya I’d come – the first thing I see is what we have in common – VEGAN MOM π How’d I miss you before? I guess our paths crossed when they were supposed to. Ironically I had a conversation this week with my son about why I would prefer the iPad over the Kindle. I don’t know much about either but what I do know is the iPad would be much more advantageous because there are other useful facets. I’ve invested a lot of money into my book collection and to switch to one of these devices makes me feel like I’m betraying my library. I know once I make a move, I won’t want to return. My daughter asked me a few days ago what I wanted for Christmas, you just gave me something to consider.
Hiya @Kissie,
Thanks so much for stopping by. Oh cool, another Vegan mom. It’s always nice to run into people that are vegan. I’m usually in the minority online and in the real world.
Re: Investing money in books
I know what you mean, I’m the same way I’ve invested a lot of money in the books I’ve purchased over the years. Although I do love holding a physical book, I know that I simply have to look at additional options, because I’m running out of bookshelves, and space.
You know I have never tried an ebook reader but now you have me curious and I am going to go check some out. I am trying to declutter and I have billions of books so it may be just what I need!
Hello @Jenny,
Thanks for popping by my virtual home. Initially, I was skeptical about Ebooks readers; however, the more I’ve read about them and checked them out the more receptive I am to the idea of purchasing one. I can completely relate to trying to ease up on the clutter. π
Look at how far we’ve come! I love the convenience of the iBook, but I hate to part ways with physical books. I am usually not a collector of material things, except for books. These are my prized items. i’ll probably have an ebook collection, but that will never replace my physical books.
I do hope you find that library book.
Hey @Aviation Blog,
Books, are one of the few things I do collect, as yourself they are my prized items. Will the Ebook reader replace some of the books I do have? No, acquiring one for future books will be helpful since it will free up a lot of space. I’ll still purchase older books, but for the newer ones, Ebook reader will help out tremendously.
Don’t the iPad look so nice and shiny? Even if you are not interested in ebooks, you can be tempted to get one. I like the convenience that the ebook readers offer, but I will still collect my hard copies.
At this pace, we’ll soon have to join an elibrary to borrow books. No chance of misplacing books here, unless the device gets struck with lightning. π
@Wayne Farley, Yeah the iPad does have the shiny quality about them. It’s good that I’mnot an impulse buyer or I’d end up with a lot of things that I simply don’t need. I take my time before making a purchase. π
Ok, don’t even scare me with the lightning bit, but if that did happen, I believe you should still have an electronic copy saved from your point of purchase.
I’m definitely not doing the e-book reader thing. I don’t read for quantity, and note-taking and slow-reading of scholarly texts which I probably won’t immediately get as e-books anyway are a must.
If I see some academic press putting out tons of e-books, including their out-of-print editions, I’ll definitely grab an iPad. But that’s not a “want” as much as a “must.”
Heya @ashok,
Thanks for stopping by…
I’m with you there, although I do read for those reasons, the majority of my reading is personal enjoyment. I simply love to read. However, I am quickly running out of space. Which is why I’ve been thinking of other options. I’ve been collecting books since I was a child so my collection is massive. π I don’t see the majority of people switching over to Ebooks; physical books have been around for a long time. It’s something we’re used too.
I had no idea you could borrow ebooks from the library. How do you return an ebook? Or do you just have it for a short time?
@Melinda, Hey Melinda, It might vary depending on the library branch but I know at the library branch I use lets you keep the ebook for 2 weeks, after that time it expires.
No need to return since it expires off your computer once your due date has passed. I imagine it works similar to videos you can borrow from places like iTunes or software apps that you can try out on your computer for a limited time. You try to use them after that time, and you’re unable to do so. I like that a lot since it means one less errand I need to run, heh. π
Cool, who’s you favorite author? Mine is Robert Heinlein, and I really liked Stranger in a Strange Land and Time Enough For Love.
@Sire, Let’s see… I like Harlan Ellison, although he doesn’t like being labeled as a Sci-Fi author. π I’ve enjoyed seeing his work in print and movies too. He’s always got my attention because he’s so outspoken. I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream is amazing, let’s see… I also liked seeing his work in the show TheOuter Limits. I think one episode was called, Demon with a Glass Hand?
I love Dune by Frank Herbert. I read it when I was a child. Herbert painted a vivid world through his writings, and I was more than happy to escape there. π
Regarding fantasy, I really enjoy ,Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, in fact, I was going to purchase a first edition copy of that series (I like collecting old books) however, I wasn’t ready to pay the $8,000, price tag. If they’d wanted a few thousand I would have gotten them. I can’t help but think the price was slightly higher because of the movie; I checked on the price shortly after the last movie was released.
My daughter and I are currently watching the Lord of the Rings deluxe version directed by Peter Jackson. She really loves it. I’m slowly working my way through the book with her too. Naturally I’ve already read it. π We read to each other nightly. She starts off, and I finish it. She eventually falls alseep while I read. To be honest, I didn’t think she would be interested in that sort of stuff since she’s only seven years old, but it seems she’s taken after myself. My first “adult book” was The Shining by Stepen King. I was seven or eight when I read that, scared the heck out of me too!
Oh I like Heinlein too! I remember reading Stranger in a Strange Land. In fact, it was the first Science Fiction book I’d ever read. I was only eight years old. Which reminds me, I haven’t read it in a while… π