Ebooks and Mini Vacations

[anogete]

I never understood Amazon's ebook reader, Kindle. I'm aware that it sold out quickly and that many have been auctioned off on E-Bay for loads of cash, but I still don't get it. I have an iPod because it holds a considerable amount of records for portable listening. But why would I need fifty books at my fingertips while I'm walking my dog or sitting in a coffee shop? One or two will do, and I can tote those babies around in a small bag. Beyond that, a bookcase filled with books is gorgeous to me; it's a work of art. Why would I want to replace them with a little electronic gadget? I could understand the appeal if these ebooks were dirt cheap due to a smaller publishing cost, but they aren't. The last I saw on Amazon, they were selling for about $10 a pop. I can get the same book at a used bookstore for $2.50. Or even brand new for $8. Actually, I have a ebook reader and a Palm (which has the ability to read ebooks). I never use them to read published work. Occasionally, I'll upload a piece of fanfiction I'm reading to the Palm, but that's really all they are good for to me since I've bought a laptop.

Anyway, Nick Hornsby, a most excellent author, posted a blog about this. I adore him. You can read his reasoning against the Kindle, Illiad, and other assorted readers right here.

Work was obnoxious this morning, but I've managed to clear my desk of clutter. I'm looking forward to an afternoon of Goldfish crackers and ice tea.

I'm in the midst of planning a little vacation for Jason and I. I've found a lovely vacation rental home in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Georgia O'Keefe lived in Abiquiu from 1949 to 1986, so I'm sure the scenery is gorgeous. The rental home is situated just outside of the town and is an hour drive from both Taos and Santa Fe. From the pictures, it is absolutely gorgeous with wonderful views. The website gave copious amounts of information on local attractions, hiking trails, and fantastic places to eat. I believe there are loads of art galleries in the area, especially around Taos. Plus, they allow dogs, so we can take Ferguson. I e-mailed the info to Jason. If he's agreeable, then I think I'm going to make the reservations for the end of September or early October. There are still a couple weekends open around that time.

Comments

[ccangel42.livejournal.com]

i whole heartedly agree!!! i LOVE having the actual book at my finger tips and don't mind spending the money to get them. (i actually buy a ton on half.com and get them for dirt cheap barely used.)

i use my ipod a ton for audio books, but i can't imagine carting around a little electronic book...it's just too NOT a book.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Never thought of using my iPod for audio books! That's a great idea. It would be fun to listen to a chapter or two while walking.

[ccangel42.livejournal.com]

iTunes actually has a special folder for Audiobooks, but they have to be in the 'apple audiobook' file type to show up in there. Otherwise, you can always load it as an mp3 and it will show up with your music. I like the audiobook format because it saves your spot for when you start listening again (most of the time...sometimes it's quirky and doesn't).

Let me know if you want to know what I use to convert the files or whatnot.

[bleedtoblue.livejournal.com]

A vacation sounds very nice!

I have an ereader for fanfic, but I like the feel and smell of books.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Yes! The *smell*. I love going in used bookstores and inhaling the wonderful scent of musty pages. Everyone else thinks I'm sick.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Kindles are neat for those voracious readers who are always out and may not want to look for a bookstore to find a new read. I've contemplated getting one, but I have way too many books on hand I still have to read. And I have easy access to a library.

I have an acquaintance who's legally blind and loves her Kindle, because she doesn't have to hunt for large print books anymore.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

I never thought of folks with eyesight difficulty using Kindle for large print. That's a neat idea since I imagine it's very difficult to find large print books of all the books you'd want to read.

[fishchick.livejournal.com]

My mother has a Kindle, and it's fabulous. I'd get one, but I'm not in the market for any electronic device that expensive.

I love books, but I read more than I am ever able to keep, or frankly even want to keep. I wouldn't sell my most beloved novels and get e-versions, but it'd be nice to have the 50 novels I'm reading for a lark on one electronic gadget rather than stacked up all around my bedroom.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

My issue is that I'd rather buy a used book and then sell it back if I don't want to keep it. I can't imagine paying ten bucks for a digital novel. I'm usually not resistant to new technology, but I feel like nothing can replace a good book for me. My boyfriend is a music head, and he shuns CDs and digital music in favor of good old fashioned records, so I guess I'm the book version of that.

[fishchick.livejournal.com]

I love used bookstores, but there's not one within an hour's drive of me.

I'm not trying to convert you to love of the Kindle or something, and I don't think that e-books will ever replace real books. But I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with the Kindle either, and people have good reasons for wanting to use them.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was never saying was anything wrong with Kindle. I'm sure there are many reasons people use them, including just plain liking to read things electronically. I was just questioning whether it's going to catch on like everyone seems to think. I can't imagine paying $400 for something so I can spend an additional $10 on each book I want to stick on it. And I can't imagine many other serious readers wanting to do that either, unless they have a specific reason (i.e. enlarging the text of the books, etc). Like Hornsby says on his blog, the average person only buys seven books a year, and a third of adults say they don't read. Most of the hardcore readers I know prefer books to electronic format, so I can't see Kindle taking off beyond this first bit of excitement.