I love books. Not just reading, but actual books.
You remember those? Made out of paper? With interesting covers that you weren’t supposed to judge the book by – but always did? With pages that you had to turn using – I’m sorry, children, I don’t mean to scare you – your fingers?
I love those.
So it took me a very long time to try an e-Reader. And I do mean try, not buy. The only reason I actually downloaded the Kindle app into my iPad at all was because we were going to Africa and I was restricted to 47 pounds of luggage in total — which is usually the weight of my vacation books.
Right before our trip, I attended BEA, the annual book expo in New York, where I was like a kid in a candy store, grabbing samples and gorging myself on the latest titles and future bestsellers. I could barely carry the tote bags of books back to my friend’s apartment every day, and knew none of them were making the trip to Africa with me.
I made an appointment to meet with Tarah Theoret from NetGalley while I was at BEA, and she helped get me started with my online library. NetGalley is a fantastic service which allows reviewers to download advance copies of upcoming books once they’re approved by individual publishers. This saves a lot of paper and a lot of shipping.
I had a great time filling up my Kindle, and I was far less discriminating than I would normally be when choosing books for my trip because they weren’t taking up precious space. This, I admit, was liberating. Usually the book selection process is exhausting because I have to find the right number to take so I have room for my clothes but don’t leave myself without something to read. I have to worry about having a back-up for a book I end up not liking, and I try to limit myself to paperbacks to keep the weight down.
This time around, though, the sky was the limit so I downloaded a couple of dozen books for my two-week trip. I knew the only time I really would have to read would be during the flights and waiting for the flights, plus some downtime between game drives, so that should cover me.
Although I am grateful for the convenience of the Kindle and will definitely continue to use it when traveling, I don’t think it holds a candle to the experience of actually reading a book.
I totally missed being able to look at the cover and back jacket whenever I wanted to, or being able to refer to a passage or character unless I’d had the foresight to highlight it. In books, I can often picture where I’ve read something so it’s pretty easy to go back and find it. On the Kindle, every single page looks the same.
I also missed knowing where I was in the book. Was I almost done? Halfway through? Sure, a story should stand on its own but there’s something about knowing that you’re coming to the end that makes whatever’s happening now feel more dramatic and meaningful. If you know you’ve still got half a book to go, chances are the killer isn’t who you think it is. I love that.
Maybe because I’m already on the computer so much of the day, my reaction to the Kindle is extreme. Like much of what I find in cyberspace, it works and it makes life easier in many ways, but I really miss the tactile experience. Reading, which has always been a relaxing and special time for me, becomes another day at the office on the Kindle.
I’m going to review the books I read on the Kindle in a separate post from the ones I read in book form, just in case it colored my reaction. That post may be delayed a little, though, due to another issue I have with the Kindle: I wasn’t able to finish the last book I was reading on the plane because, once we started our descent, the flight attendant made me turn it off.
I didn’t know about NetGalley – sounds terrific.
Love this review and all of the books you downloaded sound terrific.
My shoulder still hurts from carrying my tote home after BEA. But it was worth it!
Have fun with your Kindle.
My back hurts just thinking about those tote bags again! Look into NetGalley. It’s awesome.
I borrow from the library thereby saving trees. I only by books now if my friends have written them and they are not available at the library. And I am one who still takes books as part of my luggage and leave them in the countries and cities I travel to for the next person. All hotels have libraries where you can borrow books or leave books.
Taking and leaving books in hotels is one of my favorite things. Can’t do that with a Kindle.
Kindles…..totally get not wanting to use one all the time. I still use the app on my iphone or ipad but I do like it and really appreciate it when I travel. One of the things I do like is highlighting on the kindle and then having all of my quotes saved. I do enjoy that feature tremendously. Also, if I cannot remember the whole phrase I type in a word and it comes up. That is VERY clever!
Darlin’ once I get as techno as you I will send you a photo of my fav reading spots. I have three….all look out at the water:)))
Oh my NEVER heard of Net Galley. Scanned your book list and the only one I heard of was The Orchard which is on my list to read. I am definitely going to read many of them. I am so happy we met. Seriously, you are teaching me a lot especially about blogs and writing. I am so happy to know you Lois thank you very much for all the time and effort you put into your writing and spreading your insight and wisdom. BTW told Michael about a great book I am knee deep into entitled CALLED AGAIN by Jennifer Pharr Davis she holds the fastest record for hiking the Appalachian Trail. I think you might enjoy interviewing her as she has a women adventure company where she takes people on long hikes in the wilderness:))))
Sounds awesome, Ellymay. I will look for that book. And would love to see your favorite reading spots! xo
I believe there is a happy medium – – I read about 50% hardcover & paperback and about 50% on my Kindle. I like the feeling of the real books, and I almost always buy new books, which I can then pass on to others. I usually read hardcover when I know it is meaty, substantial fiction that I want to absorb fully. I like to mark in my books, and although you can do that on a Kindle, it’s just not the same as highlighting and writing in the margins of a book! I do like the Kindle when I need something “on the go” (I have a Paperwhite, and my husband uses a Kindle Fire; we share them, plus I have the Kindle app on my smartphone & laptop). Note to iPad users: I think the Kindle app is great, but it’s not the same as reading on a Kindle. I always have my Kindle in my purse, and it’s great for travel. I usually read lighter fare on the Kindle, things that I will enjoy but don’t necessarily expect to mark up or remember in great detail. I love the substantial feel of the books, but I also love the lightweight feel and price of books on the Kindle – – they offer great deals. Fortunately, I don’t have to decide between the two; I use both! Sometimes I have both the book and the book on Kindle – – it’s great for research, as you can use the Kindle features to find certain phrases and keywords. And, have you heard about Whispersync for Voice – – Kindle’s new feature for some books where you can download the book to the Kindle AND download the audio (for a minimal extra charge of $3.95), and the app will sync the two, so when you listen to a chapter on audio, the Kindle book will automatically take you to where you finished up, and vice-versa with reading to audio – – you can go back and forth. It’s super-cool for people who are on the go. Sorry this is so long, but it’s a topic near & dear to my reader-loving heart!
I agree about happy medium. Will be using Kindle for travel when convenience is key. I’m not really an audio book person. Do you like to listen to books?
I mostly read books, still. Which is limiting, because some things I like to read only come on in eform now.
Really? That makes me sad!
I have an actual Kindle (as opposed to a Kindle app on a tablet) and love it, though I still read “dead tree” books as well. There’s a progress bar along the bottom that shows how far into the book you are, but it’s probably a good idea to take a look at how many pages something is before or after you download it (something I will never neglect after the unabridged 1500+ pages of Les Miserables).
NetGalley is a great source for freebie books, so is the library, and I love the convenience of not having to go anywhere to physically get the book, just download from home.
For browsing and discovering new books by the cover, nothing beats the actual library or a bookstore, though.
I can’t imagine reading a 1500 page book on a Kindle! And totally agree that there is nothing like spending an afternoon browsing through a bookstore or library!
I totally agree with you, Lois. I like a “real” book for every reason you named. But for traveling, the electronic form is definitely a convenience.
Absolutely. I think that’s the only way I will be using it!
wow I”ll have to check out net galley! I love my kindle. I don’t like reading on the ipad, much prefer the black and white paper like interface. And reality is now, I still use it at home most of the time, as with kids going to the library is more about them than me. Also if I read a book review, I can download the book right away. And you can also connect to your local library….
Definitely try NetGalley! You will love it, especially since you like reading on your Kindle!
In this day and age of on-line, computer, fast connection, instant interface I find myself in the same place as you Lois. I adore the ease of travel with my Kindle and connecting with my phone in speech, text or email, but there’s something we are missing here, something we’ve let go of and seem to be losing. The art of touch. The touch of the handshake, or even better, the hug, in greeting. The touch of the pat on the back for connection, of the book in hand, feeling its heft, its testament to the hours invested by the author. I am all for saving trees and recycling! I love that about eBooks! But, like you I miss the visual of the covers (and how, in my sometimes over inflated imagination I could have done a better one 🙂 I miss flipping the pages back and forth to find that exact spot that touched me. All that said, with my Kindle when I have forgotten or misplaced my glasses, I love making the print bigger…. Now, I just have to find other ways to fulfill my desire for tactile expression.
So beautifully said, Jill! And you, my talented friend, have definitely found some amazing ways for tactile expression. xo
I first started reading books on an electronic device with my PDA, back in the early 2000s. I read in bed at night and using the PDA made it seem like I was back in the days of reading under the covers with a flashlight. Very private, just me and the words on the page. Through the years, I’ve moved up to an iPad and, yes, there are some of the things you mentioned that I miss. What I don’t miss, however, is feeling of the responsibility of dealing with all those books, pages and pages between hard cover and soft, that are, basically, a constant reminder to me of the trees that died to create them. The bonus of reading on-line is that notetaking is super easy. I got in the habit of it when I was doing my PhD and I’ve easily continued the habit with the Notes and Highlighting functions on my iPad. I didn’t know about NetGalley, so I usually turn down review options unless I’m certain I’ll want to review the book.
You will love NetGalley, Jane. And I will have to learn how to use the Notes and Highlighting features better!
So happy to learn about NetGalley! Years ago I used to write book reviews for several newspapers (remember those?) and I never knew what to do with the bound galleys once I was done reading/reviewing a book. Even our local library wouldn’t take them off my hands for their annual book sale. I still prefer books, but nothing beats the convenience of my Kindle Paperwhite when I’m travelling.
I have a lot of friends who swear by the Paperwhite. Will have to try it. Look into NetGalley. It’s a really smart idea.
I LOVE books too. I love reading. And I love traveling light. I bought an e-reader, which I have used solely when traveling. Too many good memories of reading books under covers with a flashlight and in algebra class tucked behind my math book to give up on non-digital books now. I didn’t get that C in Algebra for nothing, after all!
Ha! But I bet you got an A in English 🙂
Well, all that you propose is absolutely true, but, let me speak personally, and let you be aware, that being able to see to read if you have developing eye sight problems to contend with on your OASIS…. I am sure the Kindle is the answer, and the Kindle fire and upgrades from there also access the internet and get email! Don’t forget FOR EYESIGHT the font can be adjusted to be easy to read despite the limits fonts put on books, and paperbacks are always set in a font size that any 20 year old who also writes fonts for menus can read! Are you aware of the national sponsorship of “Oasis” Learning for senior adults? I take their classes and travel with them on day trips, at reasonable prices and they are a volunteer organization that keeps us all young, active and involved. In San Diego they are home based in Macy’s Mission Valley, and in Escondido they are located at a convenient mall, as well. Just FYI!
WOW! Will have to look into Oasis Learning — sounds perfect for the site! Maybe we can do something together … Thanks so much for sharing!
Forgot to mention that Kindle Fire E- reader also has a book mark and will syn with app on computer to take you always back to the last place you left off while reading. HOwever Kindle first generation would also read aloud to you so that you could ( knit, do crafts etc) while listening to your book. However, the newer Kindles do not read aloud without purchasing at another cost an additional app to do so. Also, for Amazon Prime members, and through local libraries books can be wirelessly down loaded on loan of two weeks, at no fee. So check it out before deciding NOT to use Kindle. Research has also shown that other e-readers are just not that popular or as well recommended or used.
I do need to try reading on a real Kindle, as opposed to the Kindle app on my iPad. I appreciate the tips!
You have captured the exact feelings that I have about reading on a Kindle! I also pretty much only use my Kindle when traveling, and you are so right about the freedom that that brings. When I am on the Kindle, I actually do love the reading experience. I agree that reading on the iPad is very different from reading on the actual Kindle. I spend all day at my computer too, but the Kindle doesn’t have the same computer glare or brightness – it’s actually much easier on the eyes, I might even dare say soothing. One of the things I love most is the fact that I can change the font size, and I make my text BIG! I am struggling to get through my almost 700-page hardcover version of Ahab’s Wife (for the Literary Wives series) and yesterday plopped down the 10 bucks I needed to get it on my Kindle (something I thought I’d never do…spend more than $3 on a book I can’t touch or feel!). Long books (especially those with tiny print) feel much less intimidating on the Kindle because I can adjust the text size, and so I’m reading faster.
But having said all that, e-books can never, ever replace the beautiful books that I store on my bookshelves!
(Thanks so much for your warm comment on DA Wolf’s FB page. There is so much here on your blog that speaks to me and I’m looking forward to coming back to read through more of your posts! Just wanted to make a quick visit now before I start my work ;-))