I concur that it's safe to assume all of us here have a love affair with the written word. Hence, I come here to gather your opinions on e-book readers like Kindle, Nook, etc. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that, like it or not, they will revolutionize the way we read.

I don't currently own an e-reader but I've considered it, just like some of you. There is an inner battle taking place. I love being able to linger on the feel of a book...the scent of it, the unique font, the paper it's printed on. It's a sensory experience that makes reading a comforting, healing ritual...
On the other hand, I have to struggle with the inconvenience of having boxes and boxes of books.

So I come here to see what you fine people think.

Do you own an e-reader? Are you for them or against them? Do you like the prospect of carrying a whole bookshelf in your bag?

[Milawe]

I don't own one yet, but I'm so very tempted sometimes. The thing that makes me hesitate still is the Kindle debacle with Orwell's 1984. I don't like the idea of them being able to delete a book off my Kindle because they messed up the licsensing deal.

I really like actually holding the book and looking at the cover art as well.

On the other hand, I don't really like buying hardbacks. They take up a lot of room, and they're harder for me to read because I'm always worried about the cover. I then take the cover off to keep it from being wrinkled and end up sitting on it or misplacing it. I really like reading new books and supporting the authors that write them, though, so I would be willing to pay more for softcover to get it "new". Yet publishers don't really offer that solution.

I think that's the biggest reason that I'm really leaning towrads an e-book. I'm interested to know what this will do to public libraries. I'm a huge supporter of our local libraries.

[Newworlds]

I'm against online or electronic reading of books for a few reasons, but most of all I like the feel of the book and would rather turn a page than click something and I like the print on paper. NWA is based on a book that is readable at the website online, but most print it out and read from the printout. I'm sure for the same reasons I listed.

For some reason this doesn't seem to apply to interactive text in a mud which I thoroughly enjoy the roleplay and immersion of that.

[Jazuela]

I have no interest in e-books. If the battery wears out, I have nothing to read. If my battery wears out on my paperback, uh..oh wait. It doesn't wear out. Plus, I get to help keep the printers in business and promote recycling paper (since a lot of paperbacks these days are manufactured using pulp from recycled paper). Plus, it makes my crotch tingle every time I go to the bookstore and browse through the aisles. Furthermore, buying a book is an adventure. I get to leave the house (I don't buy *anything* online). I get to go for a drive. I get to go to the strip mall! I get to mingle anonymously with other human beings! If I'm really lucky, I'll get someone peering over my shoulder while I peruse a tasty morsel of fiction, and comment about my choice. And then - OMGOMGOMG!!!! maybe..strike up an actual verbal conversation with someone! In person even!

In summary, buying books encourages people to continue being people. It supports humanity. Humanity is good. Books are good. Therefore, Humanity = Books.

I rest my case.

[Sebguer]

Charlie's Diary: Jeff Bezos Eats Kittens

With that mentioned, I think the nook looks so hot.

[MudMann]

Originally Posted by Milawe I'm always worried about the cover. I then take the cover off to keep it from being wrinkled and end up sitting on it or misplacing it. .

ROFL!!

Glad its not just me.. a moment of stupidy I am doomed to repeat over and over till the day I die methinks :-)

E-Readers look amazing. I am currently reading an omnibus book which contains 4 of David Gemmels Sipstrassi omnimbus.. and it is rather unwieldy.. having all these books on one small reader sounds like a real luxury.. but the expense is not justified methinks.. not yet anyway

[Milawe]

The Kindle, the Nook, and Sony's e-reader all look really nice. I'm hoping that with at least three top-end competitors, the prices will start coming down. I'll never give up the paperback, but I've already got hundreds of those. With the airlines charging so much for extra baggage now, especially for international travel, an e-reader might keep me occupied for an entire flight to Asia. Anyway, it seems like the prices should come down sooner or later. Otherwise, you're right. It's very hard to justify $300 and then $15-25 for every book after that when I can cuddle up with my favorite paperback for under $8.

[Jazuela]

You can also support your local library - for free.

I don't know about your town, but in my area, we have libraries of several towns that work in cooperation with each other. I can take a book out in one town, and drop it off in any library in any one of the 4 other towns that are in the coop. If I need a book and can't find it at mine, I can request it from the librarian - and they put the order into the system. If it's within the coop anywhere, it'll get couriered to that branch, the next day. If it isn't in the coop, they'll buy it and it'll be available within 2-6 weeks.

There's no charge for any of this.

[Milawe]

Our library system is awesome. I absolutely love ours and support it with volunteer hours and donations.

There are multiple branches in our town, and each branch has its own "specialty." Ours does large print and sci-fi (lucky me!), and they also rent videos for $1. They also keep books on tape, and these cool new book blocks where you can just plug in headsets and they just play. They have 7 total branches which means there's a whole lot of books to choose from. Libraries are amazing things in the U.S. It's pretty sad that Philly just had to close theirs down.

I'm pretty excited to see what they're going to do with the e-readers since the system is very progressive, so I'm going to eagerly be watching for a price drop so I can get my grubby paws on one. Still don't know which one is best, though, so I'll just be behind the curve. I'm liking the look of the Nook the best, but my mudding buddies swear by the Kindle. I don't know anyone who owns the Sony one.

Originally Posted by Milawe Our library system is awesome. I absolutely love ours and support it with volunteer hours and donations. There are multiple branches in our town, and each branch has its own "specialty." Ours does large print and sci-fi (lucky me!), and they also rent videos for $1. They also keep books on tape, and these cool new book blocks where you can just plug in headsets and they just play. They have 7 total branches which means there's a whole lot of books to choose from. Libraries are amazing things in the U.S. It's pretty sad that Philly just had to close theirs down. I'm pretty excited to see what they're going to do with the e-readers since the system is very progressive, so I'm going to eagerly be watching for a price drop so I can get my grubby paws on one. Still don't know which one is best, though, so I'll just be behind the curve. I'm liking the look of the Nook the best, but my mudding buddies swear by the Kindle. I don't know anyone who owns the Sony one.

7 branches? sounds like you live in a metropolitan area?

As dirty and noisy as Nyc tends to be, it's got a wonderful library system (nypl.org)... as long as you have a library card, you can download free e-books, audio online and get books from any borough branch except Brooklyn. I've decided to make one day every month a Library Day, a whole day of exploring a library branch and reading everything in sight. I hope e-readers utilize libraries in their development...
But one has to wonder whether modern libraries can rival the epitome of knowledge and enlightenment, that of the ancient library of Alexandria. Do they fulfill their job in making us enlightened citizens, or do they only brainwash our minds with cheap paperback fiction? (how many of them carry banned books?)
Who knows. *shrugs*
Now I've gone totally off-topic. Lmao.

[Milawe]

Originally Posted by Violette 7 branches? sounds like you live in a metropolitan area?

That's the crazy thing. I don't live in any of the "big cities" of America. The area in which I live simply puts a LOT into their library system, and they've been really smart about it. They have tons of programs for pre-schoolers and toddlers and lots of enrichment classes for adults. It's ALL for free, too! All they require you to do is to call them and tell them you're coming. So, kids get used to being around books, and they continue to do it their whole lives.

Originally Posted by Violette As dirty and noisy as Nyc tends to be, it's got a wonderful library system (nypl.org)... as long as you have a library card, you can download free e-books, audio online and get books from any borough branch except Brooklyn. I've decided to make one day every month a Library Day, a whole day of exploring a library branch and reading everything in sight. I hope e-readers utilize libraries in their development...

I have to say that's what I'm watching most closely when it comes to e-readers and what will ultimately decide whether or not I get one-- how the library systems intend to use it. I think the libraries will be quick to incorporate them, but I don't know how it's going to go on the e-reader/publisher side of things.

Originally Posted by Violette But one has to wonder whether modern libraries can rival the epitome of knowledge and enlightenment, that of the ancient library of Alexandria. Do they fulfill their job in making us enlightened citizens, or do they only brainwash our minds with cheap paperback fiction? (how many of them carry banned books?) Who knows. *shrugs* Now I've gone totally off-topic. Lmao.

Well, I guess we don't really know what the Library of Alexandria held for sure. Maybe they held the ancient equivalent of Twilight or Harry Potter, and I have absolutely no idea what the check out protocol was back then. All I know is that I can go to the library, load up on 36 books, bring them home and wallow in them. That falls under "pretty awesome" for me.

Oh. Um. E-books are cool! (Are we back on topic?)

[Jazuela]

If they're banned, then, by definition of the word "banned" they're not carried. If it's in the library, then the library hasn't banned it. Otherwise, y'know, it wouldn't be there. Because it would be banned, and all. Banned by whom? I mean..there are exploitive porn magazines that our library doesn't carry - so yeah those are banned. I think that's just fine. I also think that pornographic slasher movies being banned is fine. Catcher in the Rye? They have it in paperback and hardcover, and if you can't find a copy of it, they'll requisition it from another branch or another town in the co-op.

Books that are famous (or infamous) for being on "banned lists" - our library has most of them, but really, some of them just never attracted enough interest for them to bother getting it, or replacing a copy if it was never returned/damaged beyond repair. I think they only have Lady Chatterly's Lover in hardcover in a section for classics. The New York City public library, I imagine, would have a few of each of those "banned lists" books kicking around. Modern electronic virtual e-"libraries of the future" will never replace the smell, feel, sight, of books, or even the sound of old paper when you turn the page, or the gentle creak of the binding of an enormous tome, such as Shakespeare's Complete Works. There's something sacreligious about the idea of reading Hunter S Thompson online, and not in a book. It's just wrong.

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by Milawe Our library system is awesome. I absolutely love ours and support it with volunteer hours and donations. There are multiple branches in our town, and each branch has its own "specialty." Ours does large print and sci-fi (lucky me!), and they also rent videos for $1. They also keep books on tape, and these cool new book blocks where you can just plug in headsets and they just play. They have 7 total branches which means there's a whole lot of books to choose from. Libraries are amazing things in the U.S. It's pretty sad that Philly just had to close theirs down.

Well, if yours is awesome ours is ultra awesome. The library system where I'm at has branches everywhere, everything is done on computer (email notices, checking out books, reservations, etc). It is all super simple and advanced. DVD's (even full episodic series are available like all seasons of Star Trek Next Generation: I just watched the whole thing last summer) are free to check out. You can reserve books that haven't even printed yet.

Anyways, it is amazing and I love it. I used to buy new books/dvd's all the time. Haven't done that in over 10 years since I moved here. Next step: Blueray.

[Milawe]

Originally Posted by Newworlds Well, if yours is awesome ours is ultra awesome.

Well, if yours is ultra awesome, then ours is mega uber awesome.

Yes, ours offers all the same services. I'm glad to hear that it's pretty common for libraries to be pretty awesome, honestly. I've always thought that librarians are pretty progressive and exceptionally technological people. I know that it was a librarian who taught my husband about the internet, which then got him into mudding, which then... well, you know the rest of the story!

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by Newworlds DVD's (even full episodic series are available like all seasons of Star Trek Next Generation: I just watched the whole thing last summer) are free to check out.

Ours does that as well. We watched Alias, 24, Battlestar Galactica, and a bunch of other TV shows that way. The brand new releases are the ones that are $1.

Originally Posted by Newworlds You can reserve books that haven't even printed yet.

My wife does that all the time, and I love hearing her tell me what position her reserve is. When its something like 87 I know she's not happy.

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by Threshold Ours does that as well. We watched Alias, 24, Battlestar Galactica, and a bunch of other TV shows that way. The brand new releases are the ones that are $1.

Actually you are more AWESOME than my awesomeness, because we don't have brand new releases. I gotta go to Red Box for that (which is a $1.00 too but you can only keep it a day).

Originally Posted by Threshold My wife does that all the time, and I love hearing her tell me what position her reserve is. When its something like 87 I know she's not happy.

Oh I know! I love getting on the list, the trick is finding out when a new book is coming out and trying to get close to number 1 on the reserve. Or if you are smart just waiting till it's been out awhile. Like I do with Raymond E. Feist. But lately he's gone off the deep end, and that is a whole nother story. :-(

[Mud Dungeoneer]

Since I'm working and playing on games online so much I want a different experience when I'm reading. I had given up on checking out library books a while back because of late fees, so I typically buy them. All of this led me to wish there was a book rental service like NetFlix. With a bit of searching I found one!

BookSwim

It is $9.95 a month. Has anyone used a service like this? I'm interested though I don't know that I read books enough anymore for it to be financially worth it.

[Molly]

I'm in love with books myself, the smell, feel and looks of them. I like owning books, and can never get myself to throw away one, not even one that I disliked, so by now the shelves in my house are pretty much overflowing.
My mother is even worse than me, she's started a started a second-hand bookshop, purely as a hobby, (her real occupation is dentist). Needless to say she doesn't make much profit from it, especially since she loves buying books, but has a hard time parting with them.

E-readers are just about to be introduced in my country, so far only with English text, but that doesn't really matter, since that's what I mostly read anyhow.
Sooner or later I'll most likely buy one, if nothing else it seems ideal for travels, and possibly also for reading in bed, which is another thing that I love.

What I'd like to know before deciding is how hard they are on the eyes. Reading from a computer screen can be a bit tiresome in the long run, but maybe the e-readers are better? Is the text size adjustable? Can you choose the shade of colour on the background?
I'd love some input on those questions from those that have already tried them.

[Ide]

Ebooks are undoubtedly very convenient, and fairly easy on the eyes, I think the Sony, Kindle, and Nook all use E-ink right? So you don't have the screen glare, though the resolution stll isn't as good as a book, and you don't (yet) get color -- though most books don't use color in the text anyway.

The biggest problem I see with ebooks is DRM. Who actually owns the collection of books on your reader? What happens with the used book market? How easy is it to transfer the ebooks you bought to a new device? I don't think these questions will get sorted out for some time, and meanwhile ebooks and readers will get more and more popular. Publishers will be paranoid that books will go the way of digital format music (i.e. totally pirated) and they're not going to go easy into a DRM-free future.

In theory artists could do very well in this situation -- if they keep control of their material. If they can form a direct market connection with their readers. But if publishers maintain this connection, I feel like both artists and readers could get shafted.

[Aerick]

Strange, I just download an e-reader app for my Blackberry (app is free mind you), and buy the books from an online dealer. Normally Barnes & Noble. I have roughly 700 books in my room which are slowly going to the local bookstore when I deem that I have read them enough times that I dream the plots and wake up doing entire speeches of my favorite characters. (David Eddings - Sparhawk, enough said)

I like the feel and texture of the printed page, however we are in a new milllenium and my room is getting cluttered with more books than actual clothing. Wait. Clothing. I only own work clothes and the four sets of clothes I wear on those days in which I am not at work. Christmas and my four days off per month. In all, I would say that if you are going to buy an e-reader, to get something that is good for you and where you actually are when you read. Need something portable? I love my blackberry just for that reason.

[Fifi]

If I only ever traveled by car, I probably would not have gotten an ereader. But as a commuter, I have to say they are better than sliced bread, on a bus. I love my kindle.

As for the display, my complaint about kindle is I would like more contrast between the gray page and the black ink - ie lighter page / darker text.

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by Fifi As for the display, my complaint about kindle is I would like more contrast between the gray page and the black ink - ie lighter page / darker text.

I've heard that from others. I do like it, though I don't own it. I was sitting next to someone on a plane two months ago with one and got to see how it worked. Pretty nifty. I thought they were coming out with a new one with better display control?

[Realedazed]

I approached my husband about this and we both wouldn't mind owning an ebook. He can reads about 10x faster than I do (he has more time for some reason), so he can go through alot of books quickly. We both have ereader apps on our G1s, which work out fine so far.

Another thing me mentioned to me is the e-ink technology is getting better and better. Its supposed to be crisp and readable now, but only in black, white and a wide range of what's in between. Next year sometime, they are introducing colored e-ink, which he is very excited about. If he can read comics and graphic novels on an e-reader, we will definately be getting a pair.

[scandum]

I'm pro e-book, I rarely read a book more than once, so it seems like a waste of paper, resources, and space to me.

[Avasyu]

I have the Sony Reader. Use it everyday, love it to death. I even repurchased books I own hard copies for because I prefer the ebook so much more now. I was originally skeptical because I love the feel, size, and even the smell of a book. Not sure I could survive without that reader anymore though.

[Vesper]

I'm neither for or against, really. What I know is this: I absolutely cannot sit at my computer and read a novel on a website. Just can't do it. Bad for the eyes and it just seems boring and mechanical, no matter how good the story is.

Now, I do own a smart phone (Palm Pre Plus), which allows me to read "books" which are mostly free to download. It does look pretty cool and I have dabbled with 20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, but I'd only read something like that on my phone if I was stuck in an airport and didn't have a physical book in my hands.

My dream is to have a den/library in my home, bookshelves lining the walls and filled with hundreds of my favorite books.

Hell, maybe I'll smoke a pipe in there, too!

So while I understand that e-readers are just further progress in this 21st century, I still can't give up a good physical book in my hands.

[Tristan1992]

I do not own a e-reader (or any tech newer than about 2002). I like real books, the feel and smell of them. I like the way the pages sound when riffled. On the other hand I can't be certain I would not like an e-reader. I've been reading text off screens since 1982 so I doubt it would bother me in any way. I've read a few books on my computer though. But since these were in text or PDF format (the latter being more pleasant) I don't think it is the same as an e-reader. PDF's do at least retain the pagination so I presume it is a similar experience. Mainly I like to read books in bed. So I think that's the main thing speaking against computers or e-readers (I presume they're portable little things like the PDA's mobile phones). Hmmm, yes I suppose it would be readable in bed, an e-reader that is, so I guess I don't know. Someone buy me one! I'll let you know! ;-)

p.s. Vesper you'd love my room. The walls are lined with shelves full of books!

Originally Posted by Tristan1992 p.s. Vesper you'd love my room. The walls are lined with shelves full of books!

Care to share a picture, please!? *salivating*

[Vesper]

Originally Posted by Tristan1992 p.s. Vesper you'd love my room. The walls are lined with shelves full of books!

Yeah, now that's what I'm talking about! Love to see it!