I had a look at my book collection yesterday and somehow it made me feel good. Knowing that just about every book there has passed through my hands and all the words have been read. Some times several times over. We’re talking about almost 6 meters (that’s 19 feet) of books I’ve read so far an most of them are informative. I’m not much of a fiction reader, although I must confess, some of the so called “self-help” books or books on achieving goals seem a total fantasy. Why would you want to work as few hours as possible anyway? If you enjoy doing something, is it still work? I don’t think so. Just enjoy your work and it’s not really work anymore now is it? It’s a hobby.
Books have a certain charm about them, all that paper and a bit of dust, the smell of glue in a new book and the feel o flipping a page in an old book. I don’t think that for me a kindle will ever truly replace my books. There is however something to say for gadgets like the kindle, to me the two most important would be the enormous amount of space you can save (remember I’ve got 19 feet of books, and it’s growing and inch or so every week) and the reduction in weight in your bag. I EDC (Every day carry) at least one book in my backpack. Most of the time this is a pocket, but even pockets can become quite big. My current EDC is Neil Strauss’ Emergency. It weighs 476 grams against the 289 grams of the kindle 2. One last big advantage to me would be all those nice eBooks blogers write. I don’t EDC my laptop and really would like to read those like a read my other books: in public transport or just sitting in the garden. I know a laptop is portable, but it’s not that portable. It reduces my enjoyment of reading.
The positives of getting a kindle (or some other reader, I’ll call it plugged reading) for me would thus be a space saver, a back saver and a way to read eBooks (without having to print them)
And now the negatives for me. First off, not all books I want to read are available as an eBook. Secondly my main source of books is the second hand bookstore. Books can be had there for just a few bucks and with some luck you even get a book with added notes in the sidelines from previous owners. The last bonus is that I can easily let friends borrow my books if they want to.
So for me the negative of a kindle are the availability of books, the costs (not only of the books but also the reader itself) and not being able to share my books as long as my friends don’t have a reader, although my friends don’t borrow books that often. We now end up with only those two major drawbacks. The availability of books and the costs.
Would I love having a kindle? I certainly would! I have more than enough eBooks on file to keep me busy for a year or two. Would I buy a kindle? I would not, as long as I’m on a student budget that is, maybe some day when readers become cheaper and/or I have a decent income.
What is your opinion on eBook readers?
Lovely post. I’m interested in all the subjects you touched on. Indeed when work becomes fun, it doesn’t seem like work anymore, huh? I tell myself every day that I love and enjoy my job, and just reminding myself of that helps me to enjoy what I do. I seem to blaze through my work everyday!
Also, I don’t know much about the cost of books for Kindle, but I do know that shopping at local, yearly book fairs and small local book sells has done me well. I’ve found a fountain of great books, fact or fiction, under just a few dollars. (Some even under a dollar!) Being able to hold the book in my hand, take it where I please, and lend it to friends is something I hope society never forgets about!
Also, thanks for the comment! I do remember what your previous layout looked like, and I have to say, I enjoy your new, bright, and welcoming layout! It’s a big change. The pictures also help so much to lure readers in.
Looking forward to your future posts. :)
Brittany
A couple of years ago I did a review on an electronic reader before the Kindle was around. I completely overlooked one of the points you mentioned… sharing.
With a physical book, it’s easy to share it with someone. With an ebook, even if your friend had a Kindle or some other reader, what kind of copyright laws would one be breaking by sharing?
Another thing you touched on is used books. I buy used books at a local store at a substantial discount and I also sell many books that I have read, but have decided not to keep. This keeps the costs down as well as being easier on my conscience from a recycling standpoint. Essentially, an ebook is always in mint/new condition. Can I resell it as such?
Thank you for the thought provoking post.
I wonder, can you resell a “used” kindle book? Will there be second hand eBook stores?
There is something about sniffing around second hand bookstores that I really like. And not all books there are really that old, just read once or twice before. I frequently find books there that had their first printing less than a year ago.
Thanks for the comment