Comments on: E-readers and whatnot …

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:56:08 +0000

In reply to Kimberly Quick. That is cool that the Kindle lets you sample more of the book -- and then saves your place. I didn't know you could do those things with the Kindle.

By: Kimberly Quick

Kimberly Quick — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:50:39 +0000

Okay so what no one mentioned and my favorite part of the kindle is the ability to download a sample of a book. You can get the usually about 2 chapters for free and then decide if you want the whole book or not. Then I love that it keeps track of were I left off. If I was reading it on a kindle and then was on my computer reading it know where I left off last. I tend to loss my place in my paperbacks. I drop my book or can’t find my bookmark.
But I will agree with you Jennifer I spend a whole lot more on books this way, so easy to buy them.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:20:48 +0000

In reply to emmad.

I will say that sending out e-ARCs has made my life easier as an author. I can send out as many as I want with a few clicks of a button. No going to the post office and no paying for postage.

Like I said, I can see the appeal of e-readers, especially for folks overseas who don’t have easy access to all the books that they want. I just don’t think that I need one right now. I’d rather take that money … and get more books. LOL.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:18:26 +0000

In reply to Lori. I know what you mean. I recently read an e-book but I sort of cheated in that I printed it out and read the pages instead of reading it on the computer. Even then, it was a little awkward since I couldn't readjust the margins the way that I wanted them. LOL.

By: emmad

emmad — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:33:38 +0000

I’ve been wanting an EReader for some time but we haven’t had any that could be purchased in NZ. The Kobo came out and I felt was a little expensive but when I was just about to take the plunge (birthday money) the 3rd Gen Kindle (WiFi) was released so I have that on preorder.
I do book reviews on BittenByBooks but due to living in NZ have to only do it on ebooks. Have been struggling doing this on my laptop as not that portable really. Looking forward to being able to read them on my Kindle.
Will probably also buy more books due to the price. Book’s are more expensive here so if I can get the ebooks cheaper I will.

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:53:25 +0000

I agree with you on so many levels. I love curling up in my big comfy chair or on my couch to read a good paperback. Personally, I wish they never invented the damn things. Unfortunately, there are many authors I enjoy or authors I want to read, who are only offering certain books in digital format. I recently read and reviewed an ebook, while I loved the book, I really really hated sitting in front of the screen for long periods of time, it was very uncomfortable. What is the point of trying to enjoy a book, if you can’t relax and get comfortable? That is the only reason I want an ereader. So, I keep watching for online contest in the hopes to win one. Or like you, wait till the prices drop. Other than the books, I won’t have access to, I am perfectly content with real books in my hands.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:19:25 +0000

In reply to Dewey.

That’s nice of you to say about my books. 😉

Okay, you just confused me with that one paragraph. LOL. But then again, I’m the person who only uses her cell phone to make calls — no texting, no Internet, nothing else. In the evenings, I just want to get away from the computer completely — not sit there and read on it.

Heh. That’s funny and true. Although no puny e-reader could stand up to Mab’s fire power (insert bad joke groan here). And she’d go in and wipe out your digital library — just because she’s Mab.

I can definitely see the convenience of e-readers, and I really like the idea of instand downloads — I just think that I’m always going to like paper books more. They just have a magic about them to me that computers don’t.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:13:05 +0000

In reply to Melissa B.

Okay, now you’ve made me cringe a little. You shouldn’t have gotten an e-reader just for me. LOL.

But I’m glad you are enjoying your e-reader. I can definitely see the convenience of them for folks who travel a lot. But I don’t know — I just don’t know that I’ll ever be able to let go of my paper books.

By: Melissa B

Melissa B — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:53:26 +0000

Heh… you are actually the reason I have an eReader. I don’t like reading on the comp for long periods of time, plus I don’t take my comp everywhere I like to read. Someone’s eArc made it my way and I really wanted to read it. So, I broke down and got one. I actually enjoy it. I still prefer paper books, but I like it when I want to take more than one book on a trip or read ARCs in that format.

By: Dewey

Dewey — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:24:56 +0000

I do all my reading now on the computer…well almost all of them, there are some books that aren’t available in the e-version. If you’re reading ebooks on computer, they almost always cost less than their paperback counterpart.

I don’t care much for a tangible copy of the book unless I really *really* love it, like the Harry Potter series or yours ^_- Why? Space limit. If I own every single book I have on my computer as a paperback, I would not be able to live in my room… I apply to the minimalist lifestyle; less stuff, less hassle, more happy.

As for the formats of ebook and how there’s too much of it and it’s just so confusing, it’s quite a misconception. Just download FBReader, a free app, and you’re done. The rest are in PDF format, and your PC should have AdobeReader app installed already. And if you own a eReader gadget, forget about formats. Use a Kindle, buy from Amazon. Use a Nook, buy from B&N. Use an iPad, buy from Apple iTunes. Just imagine owning one for airplane travels, car trips, waiting in lines, etc. All your books in single, light-weight machine at your immediate convenience.

And…well, seeing how I really alot of Urban Fantasy and well, uh, I sometime take advices from their characters. Read too many times about characters getting attacked either by purpose or accident in their homes, havens, etc, it’s just handy having my small external hard-drive full of ebooks and other files ready to rescue and escape. For example, my house is burning down (stupid Mab), I can save everything important and sentimental in my school backpack in 5 minutes, the rest are replaceable and arbitrary. Can you IMAGINE having your paperbacks burning and saving none of them? Even if I can’t rescue my external hard-drive, I can still re-download my ebooks from the websites I bought them from for free. Free insurance, anyone? Wonderful for anyone living in the Tornado Alley, Hurricane Alley, or whatever-disaster alley. You can burn, you can wet, you can stab paperbacks, but ebooks are forever indestructible. Behold the digital immortality.

Ebooks, good for space, quick to get, hard to kill. Starring in move theaters near you. ^_^