E-book train, that is.
Who remembers Cat Stevens’ 1970 legendary album, Tea for the Tillerman? The smash hit single Peace Train inspired so many. I was a kid but I listen to that song even now and - revelling in my goose bumps - can’t wait to join the peace train revolution.
There’s another inevitable change happening 40 years later. It has to do with how we want to read our stories and where we, as lovers of books, perceive their future to lie.
Ten years ago I published an ebook but the cover was yuck and the experience bad, bad, bad. In 2011, however, there are fabulous e-readers and the appeal of instant download of quality works is more than inviting. E books are hitting New York Times #1. There are also mega e-sellers opting to sign with traditional publishers – aka (who hasn’t heard of her?) Amanda Hocking.
I confess. I’m of the old school. I work on a laptop all day and lavish the comfortable feel of a paperback when I’m ready to sit back and relax. But I’m aware that I could be a dying breed. In twenty years, will my grandchildren wonder at the oddity of paper books like my own children shake their heads at the notion of encyclopeideas over Wiki.
We have Amanda going from E to traditional. Many other authors self publishing and engaging with readers who adore solely Kindle and alike.
What’s your preference? Ebook or print, and why? I guess the world at large is, in Cat Steven’s words, On Our Way to Find Out.
I'm all for a good book no matter e-book or in print. Print used to be easier for me to carry around to read during my commute, and travel etc ;) but nowadays with kindle and other e-readers (which I haven't yet caved in to buy), one can get this "anytime, anywhere" reading like with print.... I use my computer to read the e-books.. Longer books I still prefer print.. but with the "large" font options, I'm leaning more towards the e-books..
ReplyDeleteRobyn
ReplyDeleteI have Tea For The Tillerman on vinyl LOL it was given to me for my 16th birthday by my first boyfriend thanks for the memories LOL.
As for paper or e books I love both I have an e reader and have about 100 books on it already and find it easy to read and if I go away I have lots of books to choose from to read without packing a lot, but I don't think I will ever not buy paper as well there is something about holding a book.
So for me I love both
Have Fun
Helen
Robyn
ReplyDeleteI did forget to say one problem with e books is the fact that because we live in Australia there are some that we can't buy things are improving and I hope that soon we will be able to get any we want
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Ju! Interesting about the large print option. That's something we have to pay more for in print. I wonder when TPTB will include a mental command to turn the pages!!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen! Oh, to be able to carry around 100 books! So easy to switch if a story isn't holding your attention.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that we Aussies aren't able to download some books. Why is that?
Robbie, on the learning curve
Hi Robbie, I'm with Ju -- a good book is a good book, no matter what format it comes in. That said, I don't have an eReader yet. And I do love the texture and smell of a "real" book.
ReplyDeleteI have read a couple of chapters on my dh's iPad and I was surprised (and relieved) to find that I got just as lost in the story as I would if I'd been holding a paperback. A big plus is the number of stories an eReader will hold (my sagging bookshelves would thank me). A big minus -- ooh, it's expensive if you drop it (and I am a klutz).
Robbie, I thought I was print, print, print... but now I have quite a few e-books on my laptop! AND... I'm seriously thinking about buying an e-reader! The thought of 100's of books on that one small unit is wickedly seductive... so light, so easy to carry, so compact... oooo, the temptation!
ReplyDelete;)
Sharon
Robbie - this is a timely post for me. I'm very attached to the printed form of books, but am seriously considering buying an iPad so I can read ebooks.
ReplyDeleteI love my iPod, but it's a very old model (it was on special when I got it because it was an old model then) and it doesn't play video or do much at all compared to new ones. And instead of buying a new iPod (which I've been coveting for a while...) I'm thinking of getting an iPad because then I can have ebooks on it too.
Price of an ereader + price of new iPod = price of iPad anyway.
I was worried about the backlight on iPad because I get eyestrain, but I had a look at an iPad at last year's conference and I fell in love. The owner said she gets eyestrain too, but hadn't had a problem with the iPad despite reading every night. And you can have a 2 page spread, like a paper book.
Anyone got any advice?
Michelle, cost is a real issue if you, like you said, drop or lose a reader. I lost a Gena Showalter book bout six months ago and that was devastating enough!
ReplyDeleteSharon, a lot of it is about mindset, huh. Remembered enjoyment. And how do kindles cope on the beach??
ReplyDeleteRachel, great info on the iPad! My 9yo asked for one - I think simply because it sounds cool. But if Mummy could borrow said iPad...
ReplyDeleteRobyn
ReplyDeleteI buy ebooks mostly now. I love the Kobo DH bought me for xmas, but it is too small for good pdf reading - the large kindle is awesome for this, particularly sheet music (for those of us who are also musicians). My first ereader was a Franklin eBookman 911 in '98 (they won't use that model number again). Since the device will go out of date within a year or so, I try to get the most open source format i can, and get the keepers in hard cover also.
Sarah Brabazon
Hi Robbie,
ReplyDeleteI've been coveting an ereader for a while now, and WILL get one soon (after paying off holiday). I'm tempted by the very cheap kindle =)
There is definately an allure to the iPad. I got to play with one recently and it was fabulous.Books at the press of a tiny button . . . sounds good even to this technophobe. So I haven't relented yet . . . but Christmas is coming, so might just put it on the list.
ReplyDeleteGreat Sarah! Never thought about them being used for formats like music. Love that you buy keepers in Hard Back!
ReplyDeleteKindle = affordable. Could be the way for me to go to try it out.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a *fabulous* time on your vacation, Mel!!!!
Helen, it seems that Christmas just past masses bought ereaders, which resulted in this huge ebook surge in sales and interest. This Christmas should be even bigger!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what libraries will look like in the future...
Mental option to turn the pages! LOL! I'm sure such a day would come soon enough.... at the rate in which technology is advancing !
ReplyDeleteIt's positively spooky! I heard the other night that it's possible to type on a hologram of a keyboard. What next?
ReplyDeleteHi Robbie! Coming in a little late to say that I'm one of the dying breed too. ;-) After working on a pc all day, I want to hold a real, paper book in my hands, not read off a screen. But I'm sure that I'll join the e-reading tribe one day!
ReplyDeleteEm, I wonder if we'll be the only two old ladies left in Downunder land clinging to paperbacks in thirty years time! lol Probably a case of, feel the fear and do it anyway. One day. Soon. =)
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